Aired May 17, 2010
By Josh Peterson, KVEW TV
Students at Columbia Basin College get some big money to help them graduate.
The college received a $275,000 grant.
The money will go to under-represented students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
60 students will receive the financial support each year for the next five years.
The money is coming from the National Science Foundation.
Educators say it will help students go to conferences, get internships and get them excited about education.
“Having the opportunity to give them, so that they’re able to experience these things much sooner in their career will ensure that they are more successful sooner and that they will continue and persist rather than drop out,” said Gabriela Whitemarsh, Columbia Basin College.
Columbia Basin College is one of four community colleges in the state to receive the grant money.
Yakima Valley Community College also received money.