CHICOPEE, Mass. - Elms College received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation provide scholarships and programming to students in STEM fields.

Dean of the school of Arts, Sciences and Professional Programs Joyce Hampton said out of the 40 scholarships NFS has given as part of the grant, 30 will go to transfer students who have completed community college and are moving from an associates degree to a bachelors degree and 10 will go to first year students.

Hampton said there is job growth in STEM fields and the college has worked hard to provide opportunities. 

"What it will enable us to do is to draw in students who are very interested in STEM fields who may not have had an opportunity," Hampton said. "But through scholarship funding, being able to remove some of those barriers that were there so they can pursue their degree."

Hampton said the funding will also provide students with opportunities to access experiential learning through research opportunities in labs on and off campus as well as internships.

Elms will start reviewing applications for the grants on December 1.