One of the region's largest economic development organizations is hoping to produce more homegrown workers with high-tech credentials.

Officials with "Florida’s Great Northwest" announced today they are contributing nearly 3.7 million dollars in scholarship money to students majoring in information technology and engineering.

Information technology and engineering majors at gulf coast community college, Pensacola junior college, University of West Florida, Northwest Florida State College, Chipola College, and Tallahassee Community College will all be eligible to apply for the scholarships money.

Florida State University also received 150,000 dollars for 50 students in the information technology program.

President of the Univ. of West Florida, Judy Bense, said “In these economic times you know they say the colleges fill up. Well students can’t afford to go to college right now. They’re losing their jobs and homes, and what we’ve been able to do with these scholarships is give them a way to go to college. To pay their tuition and get a better job when their done.”

Florida's Great Northwest’s mission is creating jobs in northwest Florida.

Students interested in applying should contact the admissions office at their schools.