Cherry Hill, NJ – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross announced that Rowan University was awarded a $612,823 grant to provide 30 scholarships over the next 5 years to academically strong engineering students. Awarded by the National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency created and funded by Congress, the grant will fund Rowan’s “Scholarships to Enhance Southern New Jersey High-Tech Workforce” project, providing tuition assistance to outstanding students who may not otherwise be able to afford college. 
 
The scholarship program will support full-time students who meet financial need and academic merit criteria. The program allows Rowan to offer scholarships to directly address an area of national concern: the shortage of US graduates trained in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related fields. Most importantly, the scholarships will help ensure that a quality engineering education is attainable for hardworking, talented students who can join South Jersey’s growing high-tech workforce after graduation.  
 
“Investing in our students and making college more affordable for our best and brightest will spur new and exciting breakthroughs in energy, biomedicine, technology and other fields that are continuing to drive our economy right here in South Jersey,” said Congressman Norcross. “Not only will this grant help 30 students obtain a top-rate education at Rowan University, but it will provide the foundation for these students to join our local workforce ensure our region’s success in today’s competitive global economy.” 

“This grant will make all the difference in the world for those academically talented students who have to forgo their education because of financial need,” said Dr. Ali Houshmand, president of Rowan University. “Our economic well-being as a region is dependent upon Rowan and its partners building a high-tech workforce that will sustain local needs, but also help attract companies to the region.”
Scholarships will be available as early as the Fall 2015 semester.