NEWS:

• 2008 Summer Institute Applications due: 

 June 2, 2008!!

• Orpheus Crutchfield appointed as  Executive Director

Undergraduate support

Pre-Undergraduate Scholarships

BFOIT gives out a scholarship for students who complete four years of participation.

BFOIT’s network of support for our undergraduates consists of scholarships, internships, and mentoring for individual students and support for student groups. Selected scholars are supported by a local I.T. company with scholarships; mentoring by an employee; and internships in which the student has a full-time summer job at the company after his/her sophomore and junior years. This allows the students to develop job skills and relationships with potential employers.

As nonprofit organizations face decreasing government support, and corporations realize the need to be responsible citizens of their communities, the value of strategic partnerships between the two becomes clear. This strategy benefits the company and the student. The company gains a strong relationship with a promising computer science student from an underrepresented demographic, strengthened ties to the community, and a new philanthropic program. The student gains an enhanced chance of success at becoming an IT professional by being assisted in choosing an appropriate path, relief from financial burdens, advising and monitoring by a knowledgeable professional, work experience, and a relationship with a potential future employer. 

Student groups

In addition, BFOIT provides assistance to student groups in order to foster community among underrepresented students. Not only is this consistent with our belief that the students often know what they need, but it also helps ameliorate a sense of isolation that is common among women and minority computer science students. For example, we annually subsidize the additional cost of the Women in Science and Engineering theme housing at U.C. Berkeley for students in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Applications for this support are now closed.

If you are a member of a group of minority or women computer science or engineering students and are interested in a support grant, please contact us.