The state recently announced that 153 college graduates working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design fields in Rhode Island will receive Wavemaker Fellowship awards.
The fellowship provides a tax credit designed to defray the cost of student loans for at least two years. The average annual award for the group of fellows is more than $3,700.
According to the state, more than $6 million in student debt relief has been provided since the program started in 2016.
And 90 percent of the latest round of fellows are Rhode Island residents who chose to work in the state.
The program is clearly doing its part to help stem the brain drain that Rhode Island employers have long felt has weakened the local workforce.
Lawmakers eager to limit the state’s use of tax credits have slashed spending for the program since it started. But should they focus more on the bigger picture, and consider opening the program to even more qualified students?
