Contact: Nate Bailey 202-225-5802

Innovative Knollenberg Math and Science College Scholarship Bill Passes House
Scholarship will help train students for economically important careers

	The Classroom

Washington, Jul 31 - Congressman Joe Knollenberg (MI-09) proudly announced today that his innovative math, science, engineering and health care scholarship act has passed the House and is headed toward becoming law next week.   

“This is great news for Michigan and America’s economic future,” said Knollenberg. “As we work to build the new Michigan economy, we must focus on drawing in emerging sectors companies.  My scholarship bill is designed to help students prepare for these kinds of new, high tech jobs. The cost of college is a major strain on the family budget, especially in these tough economic times.  This scholarship will help make life easier for families who want to send their kids to college, and it will help our students be well-trained for the jobs of the future.”

Last spring, Knollenberg introduced H.R. 1568, the Henry Ford Scholarship Program Act of 2007, which would provide scholarships to high-achieving students to pursue undergraduate degrees in mathematics, science, engineering, and health related fields.  That bill was incorporated into this year’s “Higher Education Opportunity Act” (H.R. 4137).  The bill now heads to the Senate, where swift passage is expected, and then to the president for his signature.

A student will be eligible for the scholarship if he or she attends college full-time in pursuit of a degree in mathematics, science, engineering, and health related fields.  The student will need to have completed a rigorous secondary curriculum in math or science to be eligible for their first year of study.  After finishing the first year of undergrad with a 3.0 GPA or higher, the student must be a full-time enrolled student pursuing a math or science-related major.  The student is then eligible for the full $5,000/year scholarship, up to a total of $20,000 per student, as long as they maintain their major and GPA.

“My scholarship program offers strong incentives for the best and brightest students to go into the math and sciences,” said Knollenberg.  “I named it after Mr. Ford because we need more innovators like Ford to compete with China and India. My bill is designed to nurture and develop the innovators who will drive our economy forward in the future. It’s an important step in adapting to the realities of a global economy and helping Michigan’s economy grow.”

The scholarship program was praised by Gary Russi, president of Oakland University.

“This legislation will have a direct and positive impact on our University,” said Russi. ”Oakland University prides itself in its health, math and science curriculum, and these funds will enable and ensure that the best and brightest students are able to receive the education they deserve to keep our State and our Country competitive in a global marketplace.”

A small business owner, PTA president, homeowner association president, and parish leader, Congressman Joe Knollenberg has been a citizen leader in Oakland County for the better part of four decades. He was first elected to Congress in 1992 and is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.