C Spire offers new $5,000 scholarship for STEAM students

University Relations photo

C Spire presents the first $15,000 worth of scholarships to Troy.

The C Spire Foundation recently established a new $5,000 scholarship benefiting students majoring in accounting, computer and information sciences, electronics engineering and cybersecurity.

“These scholarships aim to ease the financial burden of education, empower future leaders in their fields, create pathways for rewarding careers and strengthen the workforce in our communities,” said Tanya Rankin, vice president of the C Spire Foundation.

The scholarship will be awarded to three students annually, and recipients may reapply each year. The C Spire Foundation recently donated an initial $15,000 for the 2025-2026 academic school year. The Foundation hopes this partnership can further its dedication to STEAM education and provide opportunities for students in the technology field.

“This initiative aligns with our mission to inspire excellence and transform the communities we serve by investing in education and professional skills development,” said President and Executive Director Beth Pickering in a Troy Today press release. “By supporting Troy University students, we are fostering future leaders and highlighting the importance of innovation for a better future for our region.”

Recipients are chosen by the Troy University Scholarship Committee and will be awarded each fall semester. To be considered, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0, have a minimum ACT score of 25, be a U.S. citizen and reside in Alabama. The Foundation expects recipients to be ambitious, driven and naturally curious.

“C Spire team members strive to be the best at what they do, and that’s the type of spirit we would like to see in our scholarship recipients,” Rankin said. “They should be someone who wants to make a difference, enjoys a fast-paced tech environment and is eager to learn and stay on the cutting edge of technology.”

In addition to the scholarship, recipients are also eligible for an eight-week paid summer internship with C Spire.

Though this scholarship may be new, it is not the first time the C Spire Foundation has partnered with Troy University. For several years, the foundation has served as a sponsor for the Department of Computer Science’s annual Hackathon competition, a 24-hour coding event that takes place right on campus.

“We’ve been really pleased with being involved with the Department of Computer Science and getting to meet and work with the students that have participated in the event,” Pickering said. “We’re excited about our continued relationship with Troy. Because of C Spire’s business presence in the community, we’re happy to be able to offer scholarships to students who will hopefully remain in the Troy region after graduation and contribute to the workforce there.”

Rankin said that to C Spire, Troy University’s students, faculty and staff are important.

“We’re really excited about the possibilities and want to continue to build a strong partnership with the university and work toward common goals,” Rankin said.

The C Spire Foundation is a non-profit organization funded by C Spire. Its goal is to provide educational opportunities in STEAM education and inspire passion in learners in K-12 and higher education. Since 1997, the Foundation has donated millions of dollars in scholarships, opening the door for many students interested in pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.