Alongside two other Florida public universities, Florida International University (FIU) has been awarded a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to form the Florida IT Graduation Attainment Pathways (Flit-GAP) program.
To support 150 academically outstanding students in computer-related fields to complete their undergraduate studies and pursue graduate education, the Flit-GAP program aims to recruit, retain, and help find a professional pathway for them.
Key Takeaways:
- FIU is one of the Florida public universities that received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
- Along with the other two universities, FIU will be forming the Florida IT Graduation Attainment Pathways (Flit-GAP) program.
- The program aims to support students in computer-related fields to finish their undergraduate degrees and pursue graduate studies.
Aside from the academic standing of the students, the program also looks into financially challenged students in the computing disciplines, most of whom are underrepresented in the computing field.
According to Mark Weiss, associate dean for undergraduate education at FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing, the grant from NSF is an opportunity for the university to collaborate with other institutions and discover ways toon how they can strengthen their support for students.
Weiss also added that the grant also opens opportunities for the students to identify the right studies and pathways that will, later on, help them earn a degree that will determine their future careers.
Since there are three collaborating institutions for the program, 50 students coming from FIU will benefit from the program with a scholarship of up to $10,000 per year, a designated advisor and faculty mentor, and professional pathway experiences such as internship, research, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Eligible candidates need to have a 3.0 GPA or higher and have reached junior status by the summer before or the start of the fall semester and must be US citizens or permanent residents.
They are also required to prove financial need, as determined by student financial services, and have declared a major in either computer engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, or information technology.
The University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida are the other two institutions associated with the Flit-GAP program.
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