Department of Computer Science Scholarships
Several endowed and cash scholarships are available to Computer Science students directly through the department. In most cases, it is not necessary to apply individually; the scholarship committee will consider all qualified applicants within the department and notify individuals as awards are distributed throughout the academic year. In cases where an application is necessary, a notice is sent to students via email or an Internet web-page announcement.
Endowed Scholarships
"Endowed" scholarships are those which are funded by the proceeds from an endowment, usually named in honor or memory of an individual, or in recognition of a corporate donor. Once created, endowments are a perpetual, never-ending source of support for our students. Current endowments providing scholarship support to computer science students include:
- Charles W. Kelly / ISSA Scholarship – This scholarship was created by the Raleigh Chapter of Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) to honor its founder, Charles W. Kelly. The scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior with a demonstrated interest in working in the field of computer security.
- SAB Computer Science Scholarship – The 'Diversity in Computer Science' endowment, originally created by several members of the department's Strategic Advisory Board (SAB), provides "programmatic" and/or scholarship support targeting the attraction and retention of females and minorities in the field of computer science.
- Donald L. Bitzer Creativity Award – This scholarship was established by Mrs. and Dr. Donald L. Bitzer, Distinguished University Research Professor, to recognize and encourage creativity in undergraduate computer science students. "Creativity is thinking outside the box," says Dr. Bitzer, who is a member of the Order of Merlin and is known for his use of magic to help explain complex principles in his courses. To encourage students to look at problems creatively, he presents two creativity awards each year.
- Doris and Don Martin Scholarship - This endowment honors Dr. Don Martin, previous department head, and his wife Doris. Martin joined NC State University in 1960, serving as head of computer science from 1974 to 1986, played a key role in the department's rapid growth.
- Gordon Family Scholarship (Funding in Progress) – This endowment, created by alumna Suzanne Gordon (B.S. CSC '75, M.S. CSC '80) and her husband, Ralph (B.S. CE '72) which will provide an annual award to an outstanding undergraduate pursuing a degree in computer science. In the spirit of 'paying-it-forward', the award will require that recipients volunteer one hour per week as a tutor in math or computer skills at the SAS Learning Center at Kentwood, a partnership program of Communities in Schools, or a similar community program for at-risk children and youth.
- Joyce Hatch Scholarship – This endowment, created to honor Joyce Hatch, an extremely popular student advisor who retired in 2006 after serving for over 30 years. In keeping with her ongoing efforts to help those in needs, this is a "needs" based scholarship.
- KC Tai Memorial Endowment – This endowment, created to honor Dr. KC Tai after his untimely passing in 2002, provides "programmatic" and/or scholarship support targeting the area of software engineering. When the funds are used for scholarships, preference is given to computer science students with a disability or handicap.
- Mark Paul Kavanaugh Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship was established to honor the memory of Mark Kavanaugh, an outstanding computer science student who died in a car accident in the fall of 1986. Funds for the scholarship were given anonymously.
- NetApp Scholarship – This endowment, provided through the generosity of NetApp, provides one scholarship annually to a deserving student in computer science. NetApp, headquartered Sunnyvale, CA, is a world leader in unified storage solutions.
- Renee and Stan Katz Scholarship – This scholarship endowment was created by Dr. Martin S. Dulberg (CSC MS'96, CSC PHD '03) in honor of his mother and stepfather, Renee and Stan Katz. The scholarship will be awarded to a freshman in computer science and is renewable for up to eight (8) semesters as long the student maintains a minimum 2.8 GPA and makes acceptable academic progress toward graduation. Should the recipient decide to change majors, the scholarship may be retained as long as the recipient is in the College of Engineering. Preference shall be given to first generation college students.
- SAS Institute Scholarship – This endowment, provided through the generosity of SAS Institute, provides multiple scholarships annually to deserving students in computer science. SAS, headquartered in Cary, NC, is one of the world's top software developers.
- SAS Institute Diversity Scholarship – This endowment, also provided through the generosity of SAS Institute, provides multiple scholarships annually to under-represented students in computer science.
- 40th Year Scholarship Endowment – This scholarship was created by the generous donations of alumni and faculty, in outright gifts and through proceeds from an online charity auction, to commemorate the department?s 40th year celebration in 2007. Alumnus, Tony Brown (BS CSC ?83) and his wife Kathryn (BA English ?83), were the lead donors to the endowment, contributing almost $5,400. The nonrenewable scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving sophomore or higher in computer science with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Carol Miller Student Leadership Endowment (Funding in Progress) – This endowment, created to honor Carol Miller, a very popular and long-time lecturer in the department, upon her retirement in 2009. The endowment was made possible by a significant matching gift pledge from alumnus, JC Strickland Jr, president of WingSwept Technologies, Inc. as well as the generous donations of numerous alumni, family and friends. The endowment provides "programmatic" and/or scholarship support with the highest priority given to supporting student organizations, student programs, and/or students directly. When the funds are used for scholarships, preference is given to computer science students who have demonstrated leadership skills.
- Duke Energy Scholarship – This endowment, provided through the generosity of the Duke Energy Foundation, provides one scholarship annually to a deserving student in computer science. This is a need-based scholarship, awarded preferably to a student in an under-represented class pursuing an undergraduate degree in computer science. Awards shall be for one academic year and may be renewable for up to four years max if the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress toward their degree.
- Mark and Robin Wyatt Scholarship Endowment (planned estate gift) – This planned gift by CSC alum Mark Wyatt (B.S. '80) and his wife Robin, will provide scholarships for incoming freshmen in the College of Engineering at NC State University, with first preference going to students from Statesville Senior High School or Mount Pleasant High School, where Mark and Robin attended high school. Awards will be renewable for up to three additional years, given satisfactory grades and academic progress.
- Tekelec Scholarship Endowment – This endowment, provided through the generosity of Tekelec, provides one or more need-based scholarships. Awards shall be for one academic year and may be renewable if the recipient maintains a 3.5 cumulative GPA and satisfactory academic progress as determined by his or her department head. It is the donor's desire that the Scholarship Committee give consideration to students from groups underrepresented in College enrollment as determined by the admission's office in order to enhance diversity of the student body, to the extent permissible by law.
- Society for Information Management Scholarship Endowment – This endowment, provided through the generosity of Society for Information Management - NC Chapter (SIM-NC), provides one or more need-based scholarships. Awards shall be made for one academic year to a rising junior and may be renewable if the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress.
- Collins Leadership and Computational Excellence Scholarship in Computer Science (planned estate gift) – This planned gift by CSC alum Keith Collins (B.S. '82) and his wife Margie, will provide scholarships to be awarded to top students who have demonstrated strong aptitude and interest in research and mathematics. Awards shall be for one academic year and may be renewable if the recipient maintains a GPA of at least 3.0, demonstrated leadership activity, and satisfactory academic progress.
Sponsored Scholarships
"Sponsored" scholarships are those which depend on annual gifts and sponsorships in order to be awarded. Availability is based on continued funding from the donor. From a historical perspective, sponsored scholarships of significance ($1,000 or more) have been awarded annually from the following sources:
- Bobby & Donna Johnson Scholarship – This scholarship was established with the generous donations of Distinguished Engineering Alumnus, Bobby R. Johnson, Jr. (B.S. CSC '77) and his wife Donna. The scholarship will provide a significant award to one or more outstanding undergraduates pursuing a degree in computer science, who have a parent or sibling who is serving (or has served) in a branch of the U.S. Military.
- Harris Corporation
- Mary & Marvin Chaney Scholarship
- Northrop Grumman
- Progress Energy
External Scholarships
Many corporate partners provide and administer special scholarships targeting computer science students. These are communicated to students as we are made aware of them. External scholarships of significance to our students include:
- Cisco Systems Information Assurance Scholarship – This national scholarship of $2500 is awarded four times each year to students who are making a significant contribution in the field of InfoSec/information assurance. Several of our students have won this award.
- Itron's LeRoy D Nosbaum Engineering Scholarship – This scholarship program has been established by Itron to assist future engineers who plan to continue their education in college and accept a paid internship with the company. Renewable $5,000 scholarships (up to 15 awarded each year) are offered for full-time students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer software engineering at one of a number of selected institutions in the United States, including NC State. For more details, click here.
- Microsoft Scholarship - This national scholarship covers 100 percent of a student's tuition and also provides a salaried summer internship of 12 weeks at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington. While open to all candidates who meet the criteria for eligibility, a large majority of the scholarships will be awarded to female students, under-represented minority students or students with disabilities. Minority applicants must be a member of one of the following groups under-represented in the software field: African American, Hispanic, or Native American. Scholarship details including application process and selection criteria are emailed to all CSC students when provided by Microsoft.
- The Vanguard Group – The Vanguard Women in Information Technology Scholarship Program provides merit-based scholarships of up to $10,000 to female students entering their junior or senior year of college. The program's goal is to remove financial barriers for female students who demonstrate academic excellence and are pursuing studies in computer science, computer engineering, web design or other IT-related disciplines. Scholarship funds can be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies. For more details, click here
- Triangle Technology Executives Council Scholarship – The Triangle Technology Executives Council (TTEC) is sponsoring two annual scholarships for students in the N.C. Research Triangle region colleges, universities and technical schools who are pursuing an IT-related career. TTEC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic development of technology companies in the Triangle through collaboration among leaders in the management community. There will be an annual award of a first place scholarship of $6,000 and a second place award of $4,000. The awards are to be paid directly to the students' educational institution to cover their tuition, room and board, and books. For more information, click here.
If you are interested in supporting our computer science undergraduates through an endowed or sponsored scholarship, please contact:
Ken Tate
Director of Development and External Relations
Department of Computer Science
College of Engineering
1204-F EBII, Box 8206
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8206
919-513-4292
tate@csc.ncsu.edu