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At the start of the new millennium, the Bureau of Labor Statistics did a study, based on U.S. Census data, to track the growth of women and minorities in the country’s work force. Back in 1950, the Bureau discerned that only 8% of those working in the sciences were women. By 2000, the Bureau reports it was up to 26%. We will probably have to wait for this upcoming census for more current details. Still, no one is denying the outcome is under-representative of the U.S. population as a whole (with women average 47% of the U.S. work force in general). An online IT degree allows many women wishing to enter the STEM field to work and learn or care for their family and learn.
No one is taking this issue lightly. Because of this disparity, it is creating an amazing opportunity for women who do want to enter these areas of employment. That doesn’t mean they are aware of all the programs that are out there though. If you are interested in getting more information about college grants and scholarships the Internet can get you started.
For instance, the House of Representatives passed five pieces of legislature over the last several years to work on this situation. Introduced by then Senator Barack Obama and House Representative Michael Honda, the first is House Resolution 6104, whose purpose is to create awareness programs with high school counselors. It will do so through professional outreach programs and mentoring. 200 new post-grad scholarships for deserving female and minorities by House Resolution 2272.
HR 3634 provided more scholarships and grants for women, a definite start to encourage women to enter the STEM field. As a bonus, loan forgiveness was approved for those in engineering. A progressive aid campaign for women and minorities with the purpose of getting them into STEM occupations was provided for by HR 4137. $1.5 billion for counselors and more educators in the STEM professions was provided by House Resolution 362. Many resources are available when researching additional information about graduate school scholarships.
Approximately ten percent of the 2 million scientists and engineers in the US are women. An identified factor in this low number has been attributed to schools failing to foster interest in girls in the subjects of science and math. Passing the above resolutions does show the dedication of the federal government to this, but they are not the only ones. Other states are passing legislation to foster women entering the technological fields. Most recently Florida, Hawaii and Iowa have done so.
Also worth considering are the professional organizations created by and for women. The American Association of University Women created the Selected Professions Fellowship. It supplies scholarships/fellowships ranging from $5,000 to $18,000 to women who intend to pursue full-time courses at accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning. The one proviso is the field must be in one of the pre-determined programs where the number of women has been low. These include architecture, computer/information science, engineering and math.
The Society of Women Engineers has initiated its own grant program. Financial assistance is provided to women admitted to accredit Bachelor’s and post-grad programs in engineering, engineering technology and computer science. Over 180 new and renewed scholarships were dispersed in 2009, valued at $470,000. At that amount, that’s putting one’s money where one’s mouth is. For more information on this, you can check out the web site. Understanding all you can about Pell Grant application may be the key to your success.
There are a number of other opportunities awaiting women who show interest in STEM occupations. Work and families don’t have to stop a student from getting an online IT degree. For instance, a list of additional grants and scholarships is online. It also doesn’t hurt for a student to consult with her college financial aid officer for more advice, such as information about any college grant opportunities. They have years of experience that can make the hunt all the easier.
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