SHPE - Spring 2009 - (Page 28)

E L S I G U I E N T E PA S O ❚ By Marcus A. Huggans, Ph.D. and not the Ph.D. Engineering or Science Fellowship Programs. * Once accepted into a participating GEM institution for doctoral study, tuition support will be provided, as well as a $14,000 stipend during the first year of the fellowship. For the remaining four years of the fellowship, the institution promises to provide stipend support of a minimum of $14,000 per academic calendar year, as well as continued tuition support. Institutions fulfill their contractual financial obligation to the student in a number of ways. The financial support may be provided through a stipend, teaching assistantship or research assistantship. Both Ph.D. Science and Engineering Fellowships are renewable for up to five years. With more than three decades of results, GEM is addressing the critical shortfall in the production of American engineering and scientific talent. A growing base of corporations, universities, research centers and U. S. government laboratories partner with GEM to provide much-needed financial support — often the deciding factor in pursuing graduate education — and practical experience through advanced-level internships. ■ * For a list of GEM member schools, participating programs or more information, visit www.gemfellowship.org or call (202) 457-8672. Editor's note: Marcus A. Huggans, Ph.D., is the A Grad Degree, for Free? H ispanic undergraduates who are willing to search the various avenues of financing a technical master’s or doctoral degree will find a generous return on their investment of time and effort. dent will begin his/her first summer internship before entering graduate school. The Ph.D. Engineering Fellowship Program may require that the student be an intern the summer before completion of the M.S. and commencement of the Ph.D. program. In order to be eligible for selection, students must have been accepted into an engineering doctoral program at one of the participating GEM member graduate schools. Acceptance into the Ph.D. Science Fellowship Program requires at minimum a junior standing in a science undergraduate program. This program requires interning at least one summer before entering a Ph.D. program. Students accepted into the program in their junior year will intern each summer until they begin their Ph.D. programs. Some of the GEM member schools only support the M.S. Engineering Fellowship Program Despite all of the news of funding shortages, space problems, overpopulation of departments and underemployment of Ph.D.s, the words of Dr. Howard G. Adams, former executive director of GEM and advocate for the democratization of America’s graduate departments, still ring true: “Graduate school in engineering and science is free!” Fellowships are a method of funding generally awarded on merit by a competitive process in a specific line of study. They typically cover tuition, fees and living expenses during graduate education, and unlike loans, they don’t ever need to be repaid. Universities award fellowships so that students study and conduct research at their specific institutions. Yet other fellowships available through government agencies and various organizations allow students a measure of flexibility in terms of the school and program they choose to attend. For example, the National GEM Consortium has three fellowships for advanced study in engineering/science disciplines. What makes these unique is that they are portable among any of the 100-plus member universities in the consortium. The M.S. Engineering Fellowship Program provides tuition and a stipend for living expenses, along with summer internships for up to four semesters/six quarters. Students may enter the program as early as junior year. The stipend is a little more than $6,000 per academic calendar year. Support begins when the student has been enrolled in one of the GEM member schools for graduate study. The summer internships begin as early as the end of the junior year of an undergraduate program. If accepted into the M.S. Engineering Fellowship Program after the bachelor’s degree has been obtained, the stu- Senior Recruiter and Programming Specialist for the National GEM Consortium. Financial Aid Resources More information on funding sources for graduate school can be found in various fellowship/scholarship guides. Also, most bookstores have sections on college preparedness that offer publications with fellowship listings. The Internet is another great place to search for funding opportunities. Besides GEM, the NASA Graduate Students Researchers Program (GSRP), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are among many organizations that offer fellowships. Enter “graduate fellowships for STEM students” on any search engine to find more financial aid than you’ll even need. Also check for additional opportunities at the graduate office of your university, the graduate office at your university of interest and the department with which you plan to pursue a degree. • www.gemfellowship.org – The National GEM Consortium offers the largest number of fellowships/internships for underrepresented students pursuing master’s or Ph.D. degrees in engineering and science • www.collegesource.org – A database with tens of thousands of college course catalogues and institutional mission statements • www.gradschool.com – A comprehensive online resource of current graduate school information and listings • www.petersons.com – A website that provides specific information about college campuses and standardized tests • http://www.nsf.gov – Search for and participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, and gain valuable experience • http://www.finaid.org – A comprehensive source of student financial aid information For more information contact the SHPE AHETEMS office at ahetems@shpe.org or (817) 272-1116. SHPE ❘ Spring 2009 28 http://www.gemfellowship.org http://www.gemfellowship.org http://www.collegesource.org http://www.gradschool.com http://www.petersons.com http://www.nsf.gov http://www.finaid.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Spring 2009

SHPE - Spring 2009 Contents President’s Letter A Letter from the CEO Calendar Browser Diana Gomez, SHPE: The People's President Grace Lieblein, GM: A Driving Force in Mexico Dr. Elsa Murano, Texas A&M: Education with Impact Regions Connect and Explore Common Base 'Learn by Doing' A Grad Degree, for Free? Programs & Services Think, Pair, Share: Partnering to Increase STEM Awareness Inner Circle Employer Profiles STAR Awards: Call for Nominations Regional Roundup

SHPE - Spring 2009

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