Wagoner announces scholarship awards and State Controlling Board funding
This came in yesterday from Ohio Senator Mark Wagoner:
Wagoner Announces Choose Ohio First Scholarship Awards
State’s latest investment will give students new opportunities to study sustainable energy technology in Northwest Ohio, as the region works to become a hub for green energy jobs
Columbus – State Senator Mark Wagoner (R-Ottawa Hills) recently announced that the State Controlling Board has approved more than $13.3 million to encourage more than 1,700 additional students around Ohio to study the STEM2 disciplines of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine at Ohio colleges and universities over the next five years. Of that funding $1.56 million is being invested for a collaboration between Northwest Ohio colleges to graduate students studying green energy technology.
The funding is part of the Choose Ohio First Scholarship program, created in 2007 through House Bill 119 – the state budget bill for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
“This investment is meant to make higher education more affordable for Ohio students and to strengthen state workforce development efforts by encouraging more Ohioans to enter fields with high-, in-state growth potential,” Wagoner said.
Monday’s release by the State Controlling Board marks the third round of awards since the program’s inception, which has already set aside more than $63 million to support scholarships at colleges and universities around the state. As part of the program, universities also match funding to further enhance the investment.
Wagoner noted prior to the funds released on Monday, Northwest Ohio colleges had already been slated to receive $6.2 million for STEM2 education scholarships from the state. That support continued in this latest round of funding. Specifically, $1.56 million in additional funding has been allocated for a partnership between the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, Terra Community College and Northwest State Community College to train 163 students in renewable energy and sustainable environment technologies.
“Advanced energy holds much promise for Northwest Ohio as our region works to adapt to a changing economy and tremendous job losses in the auto manufacturing sector,” Wagoner noted. “A focus on research and training at area universities will only serve to enhance the progress made by local companies to create green energy jobs.”
In separate business, the Controlling Board also released $123,800 in state capital dollars to support various renovation projects at the University of Toledo.
