Federal grant creates 18 nuclear energy scholarships at BSC | Bismarck State College

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Federal grant creates 18 nuclear energy scholarships at BSC

Published: Sep 01 2017
Federal grant creates 18 nuclear energy scholarships at BSC - Photo
Bismarck State College (BSC) has received a $140,934 grant from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) which will be used to fund 18 scholarships for qualified students enrolling in BSC’s Nuclear Power Technology program during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years.
 
“BSC’s program is highly affordable, so this $5,000 scholarship covers much of the student’s first year expenses. That affordability coupled with the flexibility of an online program creates a real opportunity for anyone interested in finding a career in nuclear energy,” says Kyren Miller, the department chair for BSC’s nuclear program.
 
The NRC hopes the scholarship can be used to increase the number of women, minorities and low income students entering nuclear work force, although anybody is eligible to apply.
 
“Graduates going into careers in nuclear power earn significantly higher-than-average incomes in jobs with excellent opportunities for advancement,” Miller notes, “With this scholarship, now is definitely a great time to apply.”
 
Students enrolled at BSC earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, and also may be eligible to receive a Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP) certificate. These credentials enable BSC’s graduates to go to work in the nuclear industry as entry-level operators and instrumentation and control technicians.
 
For some BSC students, such as those already employed in the industry and members of the military, prior experience with nuclear power may count for credit in pursuit of their AAS degrees.
 
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the U.S. most nuclear workers can expect to earn a salary ranging from $50,000 to more than $100,000 per year.
 
BSC’s Nuclear Power Technology Program was established in collaboration the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE). It is regionally accredited, and is the only fully online program authorized by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) to issue the NUCP certificate through a partnership with the Exelon Cooperation.
 
BSC has been providing a high quality education to students entering the energy industry for more than 40 years. During that time, BSC has been the recipient of a large number of donations from industry partners, as well as grants from both federal and state agencies. The Nuclear Power Technology program has received funding from the National Science Foundation and the Regional Center for Nuclear Education and Training for curriculum development. A previous NRC grant was used to purchase a Generic Pressurized Water Reactor (GPWR) simulator.
 
Learn more about BSC's Nuclear Power Technology program at bismarckstate.edu/energy. For more information about the Nuclear Power Technology scholarship qualifications, email kyren.miller@bismarckstate.edu.

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