Many colleges and universities are preparing students for careers centered around sustainability and the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) studies. Healthcare training also remains popular among college offerings. Students seeking to pursue studies in these areas might find scholarships, fellowships and grants for college readily available.　

Sustainability itself has moved to the forefront of academic and public interest, according to a Pennsylvania university’s strategic plan into 2014. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Education reports on its web site that sustainability involves human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and a better world for all generations. The organization provides resources and support to colleges and universities to model and advance sustainability in everything from the way they operate to what they teach and research. There is so much more data about graduate degree programs on the web. 　

Renewable energy seems to be a particular focus as part of college and university studies. The Oregonian in July 2010 published an article on the web about a northwestern technical institute’s Renewable Energy Engineering Program intended to prepare students for jobs in the emerging fields of wind, biomass, solar and geothermal energy. The Zanesville Times Recorder in June reported on the web about an Ohio community college that’s partnering with local organizations to establish a green energy program.　

Scientific and technological innovations help the country remain competitive and retain its role as a global economic leader, according to information cited in a National Career Development Association article that included news from the National Academies. Many, as a result, have been encouraging STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) studies. STEM graduates might find themselves working with technologies that lengthen life spans, allow for different means of communication and speed up the cycles of product development, according to one institution of higher education. In 2007, a STEM subject areas panel estimated that, by 2016, nearly 250,000 math and science teaching positions would open. Understanding all you can about distance learning online degree may mean quicker success. 　

Healthcare, technical and STEM subject occupations are among the fastest growing employment opportunities for the college educated that are listed as part of a Georgetown University study designed to help students align their education with employment opportunities. Communication services and arts and education occupations also were listed as fast growing employment opportunities. By 2018, the Georgetown study noted, the United States is expected to need more college educated workers than colleges produce, with available jobs by that time expected to also include areas such as government and public education services, information and private education services, professional and business services and health care services, which require at least some college training.　

Health care is actually expected to remain a large source of job growth into 2016, according to July 2009 projections from the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. The report forecast developments in the U.S. Labor market over the next 5 to 10 years, citing medical records, health information technicians, registered nurses, clinical lab technicians and physical therapists among those in health care. Growth is expected also in areas such as construction, with a need for skilled plumbers and electricians and areas of manufacturing such as aerospace and pharmaceuticals, according to the report. Workers are better positioned for good jobs if they acquire additional training, the report noted.　

In terms of tuition assistance, the STEM subjects alone were last year among the top priorities for foundations and charities that supported education, according to a January Chronicle of Higher Education article. A Pennsylvania university cited studies noting critical current and future labor shortages of women and racial-ethnic minorities in STEM fields. Students might find scholarships available to encourage specific demographic groups to pursue STEM studies. Researching accredited college degree will work in your favor.　

In the area of environmental studies, the Morris K. Udall Scholarship, the Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Education Scholarship and the Windstar Environmental Studies Scholarship were among a “top 10″ listed on The Mother Nature Network. Students interested in pursuing nursing studies might look toward The Charlotte McGuire Scholarship Fund and the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses for scholarship assistance. Through a Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship, third year medical students can receive as much as $10,000. The National Institutes of Health and several other organizations might provide more general healthcare scholarships.