TROY, MI – Altair has established the Altair #OnlyForward Scholarship at Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. The scholarship will award 10 students pursuing a four-year engineering or STEM-related undergraduate degree with $25,000 annually, which they will receive each year of their undergraduate studies until graduation.

“Sponsoring these life-changing scholarships is an honor for Altair,” said James R. Scapa, founder and chief executive officer, Altair. “Throughout our history we have always prioritized diversity, as it is a foundational pillar of our culture and thereby our success. The Altair #OnlyForward Scholarship was established to celebrate and develop the next generation of diverse, world-class talent that will impact our world for years to come.”

“This scholarship is an amazing contribution with the potential to change the lives of our students,” said Shih-Fu Chang, dean of Columbia Engineering. “This scholarship will empower our students to make remarkable achievements in the classroom and lab, in the community, and beyond. We are extremely grateful to Altair for generously supporting education and opening doors for underrepresented students in engineering and applied science at Columbia.”

The Altair #OnlyForward Scholarship is designed to assist incoming/first-year students pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering and applied science, and who have demonstrated leadership in or support for the African American and/or Latino community. Additionally, the scholarship aims to support students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, have worked and/or lived in diverse environments, and have demonstrated experience in or commitment to working with historically underserved, underrepresented, or underprivileged populations. Ideally, the scholarship will benefit first-generation college students.

Columbia Engineering will select and announce the first cohort of scholarship recipients in the fall of 2023.