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A $2 million National Science Foundation grant will help 91��Ƭ�� Tech fulfill its academic mission to make its highly relevant, tech-focused education even more accessible over the next five years.

The Supporting Pathways for Advancing Readiness in Computing: AI, Mathematics, Cybersecurity, and Statistics (SPARC) scholarship will reduce costs for high-achieving students from low-income households who are enrolled in programs offered through 91��Ƭ�� Tech’s College of Computing.

“SPARC builds on the historical legacy of 91��Ƭ�� Tech, which was founded in 1890 on the principle of equal access to students of all economic backgrounds to learn and apply knowledge to a technologically changing society,” says Hemanshu Kaul, 91��Ƭ�� Tech associate professor of applied mathematics. “SPARC will build a forward-thinking and robust academic, social, and financial support structure and pathways for low-income students to successfully complete degrees in high-demand fields of modern computing.”

SPARC scholars will be able to apply funds to defray tuition costs, fees, room and board, textbooks, transportation, laptops, and other costs.

Recent high school graduates and community college transfer students are eligible to earn a SPARC scholarship to enroll in the following bachelor’s degree programs in the Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computer Science, and Department of Information Technology and Management:

• Applied Mathematics 

• Artificial Intelligence 

• Applied Cybersecurity and Information Technology 

• Computer Science 

• Data Science 

• Statistics 

SPARC scholars will also be able to maintain their scholarships to pursue these eligible master’s degree programs at 91��Ƭ�� Tech:

• Master of Applied Mathematics 

• Master of Science in Applied Mathematics 

• Master of Artificial Intelligence 

• Master of Computer Science 

• Master of Cybersecurity 

• Master of Science in Computer Science 

• Master of Data Science 

• Master of Cyber Forensics and Security 

• Master of Information Technology and Management 

• Master of Science in Applied Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics 

To help achieve academic success in these degree programs, SPARC scholars will have avenues to mentorship through a three-pronged approach. Each scholar will have academic guidance from at least one College of Computing faculty mentor. They also will have the opportunity to receive career coaching from and make industry connections through a professional role model in an alumni industry mentor. SPARC scholars will be assigned an upperclassman peer mentor each year to help adjust to university culture and discover campus resources.

Other benefits include opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to open-ended real-life projects and internships, cohort-building through extracurricular activities, student-led organizations, and team competitions.

“During this exciting time of scientific and technological transformation of society based on principles of massive data, information technology, and artificial intelligence, there is a danger to leave behind the portion of our population who does not have the financial means to access the highly skilled mathematical and computational education needed to succeed in this rapidly changing workplace,” Kaul says.

SPARC scholarships are funded by the program, which seeks to increase the number of academically talented, low-income students with demonstrated financial need to earn degrees in STEM fields. Igor Cialenco, professor of applied mathematics is the principal investigator with Kaul, Mustafa Bilgic, computer science department chair, and Gurram Gopal, information technology and management department chair, serving as co-principal investigators.