Are you thinking of STEM education? If so, scholarships for STEM majors can slash the cost of tuition and fees. Free college money can help pay for education related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Any type of financial aid to get through college means less — or even no student debt when you graduate.
If you are a STEM student and want scholarship money, there are plenty of opportunities. Many scholarships are available, regardless of your major. However, scholarships for STEM majors are specifically for students in one of the four disciplines.
Do you want to be an expert in new and developing technologies? Or do you have dreams of being an innovator in one of the country’s top tech companies? But are you also concerned about how to pay for STEM education? If so, this article is for you.
This article guides you in your search to find funding for your STEM education. You will find out what you need to do to win scholarships. You’ll also find out how much each STEM scholarship is worth.
What are STEM Scholarships?
STEM scholarships are financial awards to college students majoring in STEM fields. To qualify, you should be dedicated to having a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. STEM scholarship money can be worth thousands of dollars every year. Winning one or more scholarships can turn your dream of a high-paying career into a reality.
The Best STEM Scholarships
There are tens of thousands of dollars in STEM scholarships waiting to be claimed. How can you get your hands on free money for college? Here are some of the best scholarships for students taking STEM majors.
1. SMART Scholarship
SMART stands for Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation. The SMART scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a technical degree in a STEM discipline. To qualify for the scholarship, you must have a minimum GPS of 3.0 and participate in internships. After graduating, you have to accept work in the Department of Defense.
Award amount: $25,000 – $38,00
2. Tyler J. Viney Memorial Scholarship
Suppose you want a career as a leading architect. In that case, the Tyler J. Viney Memorial Scholarship can help pay for college. This scholarship program awards money to fourth and fifth-year students studying architecture in a Texas college. To win the scholarship, you need to show potential talent and have an interest in photography.
Award amount: Varies
3. Siemens Clinical Advancement Scholarship Program
Siemens is a world leader in technology. This scholarship is for fifth-year students who are studying radiologic or health sciences. Applicants must already be members of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). To apply, you must have excellent achievements, write an essay, and show financial need.
Award amount: $5,000
4. Chevron Society of Women Engineers Scholarship
This STEM scholarship awards money to women majoring in engineering or computer science. Applicants must show excellent academic skills and be a member of the UI Society of Women. The Chevron/SWE scholarship is available for sophomores and juniors at the University of Idaho.
Award amount: $5,000
5. Royce Osborne Minority Student Scholarship
The Royce Osborne STEM scholarship is for students from minority backgrounds. To apply for the college money, you should be pursuing a degree in radiation therapy, sonography, radiography, or nuclear medicine. Additionally, you must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and show financial need.
Award amount: $4,000
6. Dr. William W.L. “Bill” Taylor Memorial Scholarship Competition
Students majoring in science can apply for this STEM scholarship. Thousands of dollars are awarded to science students at Washington DC colleges who show a passion for physical sciences. To win the scholarship, you must show leadership abilities and be involved in Very Low Frequency research.
Award amount: $20,000 in six award categories
Related reading: The best scholarships with no essay requirement.
7. ASME Scholarship
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers awards money to graduates pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technology. To be awarded the ASME scholarship, you must show strong leadership abilities. Besides, you should have the potential to make significant contributions in mechanical engineering. This scholarship is awarded on a financial need basis.
Award amount: $11,000 to $13,000
8. Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program
The Davidson Institute awards education money to young students pursuing STEM degrees. To win the award, applicants must show outstanding innovations in any STEM-related discipline. Eligible fields include science, technology, engineering, mathematics, music, and philosophy.
Award amount: Three awards of $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000
9. LabRoots STEM Scholarship
The LabRoots STEM scholarship is to help students complete science and research-related degrees. Students from any STEM field can apply for college funding. Applicants must have an excellent GPA and write an essay. Money is awarded twice a year in spring and fall.
Award amount: Up to $6,000
10. UNCF STEM Scholar Program
African-American students who want to pursue STEM education can apply for the UNCF scholarship. To have a chance of winning the money, you must be an undergraduate student in a four-year degree program. Also, you have to show financial need. The scholarship award is for any of the STEM majors.
Award amount: Between $2,500 and $5,000
Related reading: Insider secrets to win scholarships.
Other Ways to Pay for STEM Majors
In addition to apply for scholarships for STEM majors, there are other ways to pay for college. College education in STEM disciplines can be expensive. To it makes sense to find ways to fund college without resorting to huge student loans.
Here are some other ways to fund STEM education:
- Grants — Grants are free money for college that you don’t have to pay back. The Pell Grant is a federal grant to help students from low-income backgrounds pay for college. There are also state and college-sponsored grants you can apply for.
- Fellowships — Graduates who already show academic achievement in college can apply for fellowships. A fellowship is like a merit-based scholarship. This free money can help you further your STEM major.
- Federal work-study program — To help pay for college, you could be eligible to join the federal work-study program. This program gives undergraduate and graduate students part-time work to pay for college expenses.
Scholarships for STEM Majors
If you are pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math, you should search out scholarships. This scholarship money can pay for part or all of your college education. You will then graduate with a STEM degree and less student debt to repay.