The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Foundation recently received a $19,500 gift from Duke Energy Foundation designated to fund PHSC First Generation STEM Scholarships. Duke Energy Foundation supports effective education programs and initiatives that emphasize science, technology, engineering and math education, training, and workforce development through their K to Career investment priority.

The funding will provide 30 semester scholarships of $650 to students pursuing degrees in a variety of STEM fields, including many of PHSC’s newest high-demand career tracks, such as engineering technology and aviation. Scholarships will be awarded to selected students who are the first in their family to attend college beginning fall 2017. These funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a Florida Department of Education First Generation in College program adding 30 additional scholarships.

In the 2015-16 academic year, more than 3,600 students enrolled at PHSC were categorized as first generation college students, with 92 having received a scholarship through the PHSC Foundation. This partnership with Duke Energy will help to eliminate financial barriers for up to 60 additional first generation college students in 2017-18, totaling $39,000.