Tech Stars program gets $600,000 grant

Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Next Generation Tech Stars scholarship program recently received a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to continue its efforts in increasing enrollment in target majors and preparing students for future careers.

The Next Generation Tech Stars is a continuation of the Tech Stars Scholarship program, which is an initiative of the South Carolina Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence.

The center is based at Florence-Darlington Technical College and is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Tressa Gardner, project manager for the S.C. Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence, said the program has helped many students seeking associate degrees in several areas including computer technology and engineering.

Students who are in these majors are eligible for the program: Automotive technology, civil engineering technology, civil/graphics technology, electronics engineering technology, electro-mechanical engineering technology, machine tool technology and telecommunications systems management.

Students who participate in the scholarship program are eligible for the loan-to-own laptop computer program, which is an incentive for students to maintain their scholarship eligiblity and to complete programs on time.

Each eligible student receives a laptop equipped with the software required for their major to use while enrolled at the college. Automotive students receive an automotive diagnostic tool in lieu of a laptop, Gardner said.

Other awards include tuition, books and supplies and payment of computer technology certification exams fees.

Once the students graduates, ownership of the laptop or diagnostic tool is transferred to the student to keep.

Gardner said since the program began, 100 students have received funds for laptop computers, tuition, books and supplies.

To be eligible for the program, a student must enroll full-time in an eligible major, have a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need, which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A scholarship application also is required.

Tech Stars participants must agree to enroll in courses as outlined for their respective major and be prepared to attend at least one summer semester.

For details on the program contact Gardner at (843) 676-8547.

On the Web

Florence-Darlington Technical College, http://www.fdtc.edu

National Science Foundation, http://www.nsf.gov

South Carolina Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence, http://www.scatec.org