STEM Scholarships Awarded Total $4.2 Million

A huge investment in STEM scholarships may be a sign that these career fields will represent the jobs of the future.

The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program, funded by the General Motors Foundation, yesterday announced scholarships totaling approximately $4.2 million to 1,100 recipients during the NBC News Education Nation Summit in New York City.

The students, who come from all 50 states, were honored for excelling in the classroom and the community. They will receive financial resources to pursue a college degree within the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), or other related fields of study.

As one of the largest in the country, the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is noteworthy because it grants 100 students up to $25,000. The grants are renewable for up to four years and one additional year for qualified five-year engineering programs.

Additionally, 1,000 students receive a one-time $2,000 award.  By the end of 2012, the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program expects to have provided nearly $13 million to help students attend school. Eligibility was expanded this year from first-time college-bound students to include current undergraduates.

The GM Foundation hosted five of the 2012 national recipients at Education Nation, where they participated in the first-annual nationally televised Student Town Hall moderated by MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry.

Vivian Pickard, President of General Motors Foundation

“Students are graduating today with more than $25,000 in debt, hindering them with years of financial burden,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “Through the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program, the GM Foundation is able to alleviate some of those financial hurdles, while fostering the growth of the next generation of leaders for STEM-related fields.”

The scholarship comes at a time when the nation is in what many consider to be a STEM crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the STEM workforce accounts for more than 50% of our country’s economic growth, yet only 5% of U.S. workers are employed in STEM fields.

Launched in 2011, the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program champions the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students, placing a strong focus on women, minorities and students known for giving back to their communities.

For more information about the Buick Achiever Scholarship Program, to view the complete list of 2012 recipients, or to register for an e-mail notification when the next application window opens, please visit www.buickachievers.com.