VT-MIT launches scholarship program aimed to enhance diversity in technology
May 13, 2022
Virginia Tech’s Master of Information Technology (VT-MIT) program, recently named the #3 Best Online Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, has launched a new program that will award student scholarships beginning this fall. The MIT Scholars program will provide an average of $2,000 per term for tuition and fees to help support applicants who are pursuing a Master of Information Technology degree.
The primary goal of the program is to aid student populations who are traditionally underrepresented in technology. Up to 10 scholarships will be awarded beginning with the 2022 fall semester.
“Throughout my career, I have seen the benefits of diverse, inclusive teams in solving tough problems,” said Alison Garrett, associate director of VT-MIT. “MIT Scholars will encourage aspiring and experienced IT professionals to pursue their MIT degree, improving outcomes in high tech fields.”
“This scholarship opportunity for MIT students will go a long way in helping to increase the diversity of our student body, allowing more students to be able to afford a graduate degree in this highly desirable field,” added Parviz Ghandforoush, executive director of VT-MIT.
Commissioned more than 20 years ago by the Commonwealth of Virginia, VT-MIT is designed as a collaborative program with College of Engineering and Pamplin College of Business to provide aspiring and experienced IT professionals with the interdisciplinary knowledge they need to succeed without having to sacrifice their current jobs to do so.
“Enhancing diverse representation of our student body expands student learning abilities and success, and we have made this a strategic priority,” said Janice Branch Hall, assistant dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for Pamplin College. “The investment in the MIT Scholars program is also a critical step toward diversifying the field of information technology. We want our efforts to not only impact Virginia Tech, but we desire to be societal change agents that work to elevate the human condition.”
Students interested in applying for the scholarship must be enrolled in at least six credits in their first fall or spring term in the VT-MIT program. Students must also be recognized as contributing to the diversity of VT-MIT and identified as traditionally underrepresented in technology.
The scholarship may be renewed for students with good academic performance and who remain continuously enrolled, up to a maximum number of award terms of four. Recipients must maintain good academic performance in VT-MIT courses and progress toward an MIT degree to be eligible for scholarship renewal. Specifically, recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and remain continuously enrolled, completing four VT-MIT courses per year.
Please visit the VT-MIT tuition and financial aid page for more information and how to apply for the MIT Scholars program.