by Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press
Published April 30, 2023
Michigan EV Scholars program gives college students $10,000 scholarships: What’s required.
As the Motor City changes, so do opportunities for college students in Michigan interested in scholarship money to pursue the transition to electric vehicles from internal combustion engines.
In recent days, a dozen students from Michigan State University’s College of Engineering have been named in the first round of Michigander EV Scholars program to receive up to $10,000 in scholarship money while working at companies in metro Detroit, Lansing, Jackson and Saginaw. This is part of a new state campaign to promote careers and recruit talent to fill jobs in the auto industry or so-called transportation mobility sector.
The scholarship program may award as many as 350 students statewide at participating universities who sign a letter of employment with an approved company and commit to staying in Michigan for 12 months. The EV scholars recognized at MSU this month have accepted internship offers and will receive an initial $5,000 scholarship that qualifies them for the full $10,000 offer upon acceptance of a full-time job in Michigan, MSU said in a news release.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) has worked to recruit students to begin as soon as this year. Higher education partners include MSU, the University of Michigan, Michigan Technological University in the Upper Peninsula, Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Macomb Community College and Schoolcraft College in Livonia.
Who’s wanted
Key recruitment targets include software developers, electrical engineers, production workers and front-line supervisors. Michigan is pushing to position itself as a leader in computer science, engineering and manufacturing to meet growing industry demand.
“For generations, Michiganders have stepped up to get the job done by embodying the kind of grit, determination and work ethic needed to keep the world moving forward,” Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of the MEDC, said in the news release. He attended an MSU event April 26 where the students signed letters of intent for summer and fall internships and co-op opportunities focused on electric vehicles.