Direct support of individual students allows firms to enhance their image with students they would like to employ, i.e. students with outstanding scholastic records, student leaders, and students from diverse backgrounds. The obvious strategy in this category is to sponsor scholarships. In particular, if the scholarship is renewable over multiple years, such as with an endowed scholarship, stronger ties with the student recipient will be developed. Scholarships that are available to freshmen have the advantage of helping to bring students into the information technology field. It is suggested that a scholarship be funded at a minimum of $1,000. Tuition and fees at Illinois State are around $5,000/year. Required books and recommended software are additional.
At the annual School of Information Technology banquet cash awards of up to $500 each are made to outstanding sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Some of the funds for these awards come from general donations by alumni and friends of the department. But, firms may also fund awards, e.g. the "XYZ Distinguished Junior Award."
Scholarships and Scholar Awards are announced each year in April at the school's banquet. A representative of the sponsoring company is invited to make the award. A plaque for each scholarship and award is prominently displayed in a case in the ITK Computer Lab complex. The scholarship or award, of course, directly enhances the company's image with the recipient but also enhances the company's image through word-of-mouth and through the display of the plaque.
A final way to support an individual student is by providing funds and/or expertise needed for a student project. Undergraduate students in the Honors Program must complete an honor's project in addition to their required course work. ITK graduate students must complete either a thesis or a major project. The department purchases special software and hardware as needed for specific student projects. In any given year the department may spend a few hundred to a few thousands of dollars on these special purchases. In addition, some projects may call for specialized expertise, for example on a particular piece of hardware or software, that is not readily available at the university. In some cases, companies may find a way to provide students with the expertise necessary to complete the project.
