Financial Aid And Scholarships For STEM Students

Students interested in a STEM education can use this guide to find financial aid opportunities for STEM careers, including scholarships, grants, and scholarships.
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Updated September 14, 2023

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Scholarships & Other Resources to Help You Pay for a STEM Degree

Careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics continue to be among the most in-demand and highest-paying available but earning the required degree to qualify for these careers can be expensive. Fortunately, there are a lot of financial aid opportunities available for students interested in a STEM education. In this guide, you'll find a list of current STEM scholarships and other resources to help make the cost of college more affordable.

Scholarships, Grants & Fellowships for All STEM Students

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Awards

Amount: $500 to $10,000 (undergraduate); $1,000 to $5,000 (graduate) Variety of undergraduate scholarships and graduate awards for AIAA student members in good standing. Specific requirements vary by scholarship or award, but applicant's education plan must provide entrance into some scientific or engineering field encompassed by the AIAA.

Deadline: January 31

Learn more or apply

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Scholarships

Amount: $2,500 to $5,000

The ASCE offers eight undergraduate scholarship opportunities for students studying civil engineering or closely related field. Some scholarships are specific to a particular area of civil engineering. Applicant must be a current ASCE student member.

Deadline: February 10

Learn more or apply

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Scholarships

Amount: $1,500 to $13,000

Over 60 scholarships in varying amounts available to both undergraduate and graduate students studying mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, or a closely related field. Open to current ASME student members in good standing.

Deadline: March 1

Learn more or apply

Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) STEM Major Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Amount: $2,500

Applicants must be in at least their second year of studies enrolled as sophomores or juniors and pursuing a degree in a STEM field that meets the AFCEA's mission (including but not limited to cyber security, intelligence, and homeland security-related disciplines.)

Deadline: April 13

Learn more or apply

ASHRAE Undergraduate Engineering Scholarships

Amount: $3,000 to $10,000

Sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Awards made to engineering and pre-engineering students enrolled full-time in a degree program traditionally considered a preparatory curriculum for the HVAC&R profession. Applicant must be enrolled at a school hosting an active ASHRAE Student Branch.

Deadline: December 1

Learn more or apply

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) Scholarship in Science and Technology

Amount: $10,000

Available to students working toward a degree in engineering or natural or applied science and plan to pursue research after graduation. Instead of applying, students are nominated by faculty members at their schools. Nominees must be in at least their second year of studies at one of 40 eligible colleges, and have conducted extensive lab and research work in their chosen field.

Deadline: Student nominations due to Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs by the end of January.

Learn more or apply

DevTeam.Space STEM Scholarships

Amount: $1,000

Bi-yearly STEM scholarship open to students ages 13 and up who are currently attending or planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or graduate school. Applicants must submit a minimum 500-word essay on “How STEM careers would affect the world in the next 50 years.”

Deadline: March 1

Learn more or apply

John M. Stropki Scholarship

Amount: $2,500 to $5,000

Scholarship fund established to help develop engineers and STEM educators who “innovate and drive excellence throughout the manufacturing process…” Priority is given to students who exhibit a financial need. A small number of awards are designated specifically for the children of Lincoln Electric employees. Sponsored by the American Welding Society.

Deadline: February 15

Learn more or apply

LabRoots STEM Scholarships

Amount: $2,000 to $3,000

Undergraduate and graduate merit-based scholarships for STEM students awarded twice annually. Open to students both within and outside the U.S. Applicant must provide an education/research proposal (limited to 4000 characters). Sponsored by LabRoots, a scientific social networking website.

Deadline: November 30 (Fall) and May 1 (Spring)

Learn more or apply

National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) Stem Scholarships

Amount: $1,000

Open to high school senior NSHSS members who intend to pursue a degree in a STEM major, including any area related to the medical field. Students must submit a 500-word personal statement on the subject of why he or she has selected their intended STEM major and future career plans.

Deadline: April 1

Learn more or apply

NextStepU STEM Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Scholarship awarded three times a year to students interested in pursuing STEM degrees. Applicants must be registered users of NextStepU.com, and submit a brief (150-250 word) essay explaining his or her interest in a STEM education.

Deadline: Continuous

Learn more or apply

Scholarship America Dream Award

Amount: $5,000 to $15,000

Renewable scholarships available to students currently attending, or planning to attend, a degree program at an accredited two-year or four-year institution. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or persons granted deferred action status under DACA. A portion of the funds for these scholarships are designated specifically for STEM students.

Deadline: December 15

Learn more or apply

STEM Teacher Graduate Scholarships

Amount: $2,500 to $5,000

Available to both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree or credential/licensure for teaching STEM subjects. Applicants seeking a credential or licensure must have completed a B.S. or graduate degree in a STEM major. Sponsored by the AFCEA Education Foundation.

Deadline: April 13

Learn more or apply

Straight North STEM Scholarship

Amount: $250 to 1,000

Straight North, an internet marketing services company, sponsors this scholarship program that awards one $1,000 scholarship and two $250 book awards to students pursuing STEM-related degrees at two-year of four-year colleges. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.

Deadline: August 1

Learn more or apply

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Scholarship Awards

Amount: $4,000

Up to four awards made each year to eligible students within two years of earning a bachelor's degree in a field of science and engineering, including life science and science education. Applicant must be a full-time student attending an accredited four-year college or university.

Deadline: August 9

Learn more or apply

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STEM Scholarships, Grants & Fellowships for Women & Minorities

Women

Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize

Amount: $250 to $1,000

Sponsored by the Association of Women in Mathematics, this prize is awarded annually to, “an undergraduate woman who excels in mathematics.” Requires nomination by a professor or adviser. Criteria considered include, among others, the nominee's quality of performance in advanced mathematics courses and performance in mathematical competitions.

Deadline: October 1 (nomination)

Learn more or apply

Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) Scholarships

Amount: $350 to $12,000

The AWAM sponsors a wide range of scholarship opportunities for women pursuing an education in the field of aviation maintenance and technology. Specific requirements vary for each individual scholarship. Applicants may apply for up to three AWAM scholarships.

Deadline: November 1

Learn more or apply

Association for Women Geologists (AWG) Minority Scholarship

Amount: Varies (one or more awards totaling $6,000 annually)

Scholarship program aimed at encouraging young minority women to pursue careers in the geosciences. Applicants must be of African-American, Hispanic, or Native American descent, and currently pursuing (or a high school student intending to pursue) a full-time geosciences-related undergraduate degree.

Deadline: June 30

Learn more or apply

BHW Women in STEM Scholarship

Amount: $3,000

Sponsored by The BHW Group, this scholarship is open to women pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree in a STEM major. Applicants must submit a 500 to 800 word essay on one of two subjects: your favorite app and what you like about it, or a time an app played a significant role in improving your day.

Deadline: April 15

Learn more or apply

Buildium Women in Technology Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Open to both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing an accredited STEM degree program in the U.S. or Canada. Among other requirements, applicants must submit a written essay (maximum 1000 words) and short (one to two minutes) video answering the question, “What would the Buildium Women in Technology Scholarship mean for your education?”

Deadline: November 1 (Fall), April 15 (Spring)

Learn more or apply

Davis Scholarship for Women in STEM

Amount: $5,000

Created to encourage minority women to pursue a career in the STEM fields. Open to non-freshman undergraduates enrolled full-time at a United Negro College Fund member school. Priority is given to students from Massachusetts, but all eligible U.S. residents are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: June 9

Learn more or apply

Engineering and Technical Science Achievement Scholarship

Amount: $500 to $2,500

Scholarship available to women enrolled in an undergraduate engineering or technical science degree program at an ABET-accredited or Alpha Omega Epsilon National Foundation-approved institution. Applicant must not be receiving education funds from another organization.

Deadline: February 15

Learn more or apply

Konica Minolta Women in Technology Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Awarded to an outstanding full-time female student pursuing a degree in a STEM or closely related major, and whose academic focus includes graphic communications and document management careers. Administered by the Electronic Document Scholarship Foundation (EDSf).

Deadline: May 1

Learn more or apply

Leatrice Gregory Pendray Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Undergraduate scholarship sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Open to current female AIAA student members in good standing whose education plan provides entry into a field of science or engineering encompassed by the AIAA's technical activities.

Deadline: January 31

Learn more or apply

Libbie H. Hyman Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $700 to $1,900

Award is limited to advanced undergraduate and first or second year graduate biology and marine biology students in support of a first meaningful field station experience. Application must include a written proposal regarding coursework or research on invertebrates. Sponsored by the Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology.

Deadline: March 6

Learn more or apply

Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship

Amount: Up to $10,000

Open to full-time undergraduates who have completed at least one year in a STEM field course of study at an accredited U.S., Canadian, or Mexican college or university. Recipients visit Palantir's headquarters in Palo Alto, California for a full-day workshop, and selected participants are offered Palantir internships.

Deadline: August 4

Learn more or apply

Priscilla Carney Jones Scholarship

Amount: Minimum $1,500

Scholarship award available to junior and senior female undergraduates majoring in chemistry or a chemistry-related science. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, demonstrate financial need, and have completed, or plans to conduct, research during her undergraduate years.

Deadline: May 1

Learn more or apply

Science Ambassador Scholarship

Amount: Full tuition

Full-tuition scholarship awarded to a high school senior or undergraduate college student pursuing a STEM degree. Requires submission of a “mini-lecture” video (maximum three minutes) on a STEM-related topic. Funded by Cards Against Humanity.

Deadline: December 11

Learn more or apply

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships

Amount: $1,000 to $15,000

SWE sponsors dozens of scholarships, including reentry and non-traditional awards, for women pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computers, or technology at an ABET-accredited school. Awards are available to both SWE members and non-members, although some scholarships require SWE membership.

Deadline: May 1 (freshmen), February 15 (sophomores through graduate students) Learn more or apply

Minorities

American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) Scholarships

Amount: Varies

Scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors from historically underrepresented minorities intending to pursue educations in STEM-related disciplines at accredited colleges and universities the following semester. Application is made to local AABE chapters for local scholarship awards, with top-ranked candidates forwarded to the National Scholarship Committee for consideration of regional and national awards.

Deadline: February 3

Learn more or apply

American Chemistry Society (ACS) Scholars Program

Amount: Up to $5,000

Renewable undergraduate scholarship awards for underrepresented minority students intending careers in chemistry or chemistry-related fields. Applicants must be of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian heritage, and demonstrate financial need.

Deadline: March 1

Learn more or apply

American Meteorological Society (AMS) Minority Scholarships

Amount: $6,000 ($3,000 for freshman year, $3,000 for sophomore year)

Undergraduate scholarship program to fund minority students – especially Native American, Black/African American, and Hispanic students – traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. Applicants must intend to pursue careers in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.

Deadline: February 2

Learn more or apply

Brown and Caldwell Minority Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Award available to a full-time junior or senior undergraduate, or a graduate student, with a declared major in civil, chemical or environmental engineering, or one of the environmental sciences. Applicant must identify as a member of a minority group, including, but not limited to, African-American, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific American, or Alaska Native.

Deadline: April 30

Learn more or apply

Generation Google Scholarship

Amount: $10,000 USD (U.S. students), $5,000 CAD (Canada students)

Open to students from an underrepresented group (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, or Filipino/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander).Applicant must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, or a high school senior intending to enroll, in a U.S. or Canada degree program in computer engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field.

Deadline: December 11

Learn more or apply

Google Lime Scholarship

Amount: $10,000 USD (U.S. students), $5,000 CAD (Canada students)

Scholarships for students currently pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD degree in computer science, computer engineering, or closely related technical field. Applicant must have, or consider him or herself to have, a visible or invisible disability.

Deadline: December 10

Learn more or apply

Great Minds in Stem Scholarships

Amount: $500 to $10,000

Variety of scholarships offered to students pursuing STEM-related degrees at accredited two- or four-year U.S. colleges and universities. Students must be of Hispanic origin and/or must “significantly demonstrate leadership or service within the Hispanic community.”

Deadline: April 30

Learn more or apply

Microsoft Tuition Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Tuition-only awards for underrepresented students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at a four-year college or university in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Open to applicants pursuing a computer science, computer engineering, or related STEM degree. Awards made in recognition of a “demonstrated passion for technology, academic excellence, and leadership while working to push the software industry forward.”

Deadline: February 9

Learn more or apply

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $20,000

Competitive scholarships available to students from “disadvantaged backgrounds” committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Program additionally offers paid research training at the NIH during the summer, and paid employment with the NIH following graduation.

Deadline: March 15

Learn more or apply

NOGLSTP Out to Innovate STEM Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Two awards (one undergraduate, one graduate) are made annually to LGBTQ and LGBTQ-supportive students pursuing STEM degrees. Applicant must have completed a minimum of two years post-high school education at an accredited college or university, and be an active supporter and participant in programs that promote LGBTQ visibility and inclusion.

Deadline: First Saturday of June

Learn more or apply

Procter & Gamble STEM Scholarship

Amount: Up to $5,000

Undergraduate scholarship for students pursuing a degree in a STEM-related major. Applicant must be of black heritage, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident attending, or planning to attend, an accredited four-year college or university.

Deadline: June 15

Learn more or apply

Royce Osborn Minority Student Scholarship

Amount: $4,000

Undergraduate scholarship available to minority (American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic) students in an entry-level radiography, sonography, magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine academic program. Sponsored by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Deadline: February 1

Learn more or apply

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Scholarships

Amount: Varies

Range of STEM-related scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students of Hispanic and Latino heritage. Degree program must be located in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. A few awards are restricted to applicant's location or school, as well as by field of study. Awards are dispersed in two payments (Fall and Spring terms).

Deadline: June 31

Learn more or apply

United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Scholars Program

Amount: $2,500 (freshmen and sophomores); $5,000 (juniors and seniors); $5,000 (students who require fifth year of study)

The UNCF provides 100 awards annually to African American students pursuing undergraduate STEM degrees. Students must additionally have a demonstrated financial and unmet need, and show a readiness and commitment pursue their STEM degree program.

Deadline: January 16

Learn more or apply

Other Ways to Get Financial Aid

The scholarships, fellowships and grants listed above aren't the only ways to pay for a STEM degree. Here's an overview of other options you may want to consider:

Ways to Cut Costs

Making college affordable involves more than just securing financial aid. Below are a few suggestions for cutting the costs of your STEM education:

How to Maximize Your Chances

Finding scholarship opportunities and submitting applications on time are two important steps in the STEM scholarship process, but they're not the only ones. Here are a few recommendations to help maximize your chances of landing a STEM scholarship:

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AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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