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RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) A $600,000 National Science Foundation grant will help American Indian students pursue engineering degrees in South Dakota.

The goal is to help the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, in partnership with Oglala Lakota College and other tribal colleges, increase the number of Indians who get engineering degrees.

The grants will be used to provide financial aid to qualified students.

U.S. Sen. John Thune says there's a great need for skilled engineers to lead job-creation projects on the state's Indian reservations.

Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-13-08 0702CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list