Scholarships for College Students Interested in STEM
College is expensive, and for many of us, that cost can be the biggest barrier. But scholarships can make a huge difference. Some may only cover a few hundred dollars to help with books or fees. Others can cover full tuition, housing, and even travel or living expenses. There are also scholarships that renew every year, giving you continued support throughout college.
The key is to start early and stay consistent. The earlier you begin searching and applying, the more chances you give yourself. Think of scholarships as more than just money. They’re a form of recognition. Below are some tips, tools, and scholarships to help you get started.
Where to Start Looking
Check your university’s scholarship portal
Most colleges have a centralized site or portal where internal scholarships are posted. These might include departmental awards, donor-funded scholarships, need-based funding, and major-specific opportunities. Examples at some schools are:
Virginia Tech's Scholarship Central
UCLA's MyUCLA Scholarship Portal
Search “(Your School) scholarship portal” and explore the page.
Talk to your academic advisor
Advisors often know about lesser known scholarships specific to your major or college. Some awards are given out by nomination, and you won’t know unless you ask. Let your advisor know you’re actively seeking scholarships especially if you’re doing research, pursuing an internship, or studying abroad.
Get involved in organizations
When you join student orgs, especially ones tied to your major or identity, you open yourself up to a whole new world of opportunities. Many professional and cultural organizations offer exclusive scholarships to active members. Examples include:
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Society for Women Engineers (SWE)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
American Geophysical Union (AGU),
American Astronomical Society
Society of Physics Students
Some departments also give priority to students who show leadership, service, or involvement so being engaged matters.
Scholarships for College STEM Students
Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship - For students majoring in engineering or computer science
SMART Scholarship-for-Service (DoD) – Pays full tuition and provides a job after graduation
Goldwater Scholarship – For students pursuing research careers in natural sciences, math, or engineering
NSBE Scholarships – Exclusive to student members
NAACP Scholarships - Exclusive to student members
SWE Scholarships – For women in engineering and computing
SHPE Scholarships – For Hispanic students in STEM
AISES Scholarships – For Indigenous students pursuing STEM
Generation Google Scholarship – For students in computer science
Amazon Future Engineer – Scholarship + internship opportunity
UCAR Next Generation Fellowship – Atmospheric and Earth science research support
Society of Physics Students Scholarships – For physics majors
Additional Resources
These sites will help you find scholarships based on your background and/or interests:
Avoid applying to scholarships that ask you to pay a fee. Legitimate scholarships should always be free to apply for. There’s money out there. You just have to start looking and stay consistent. Keep a spreadsheet of deadlines. Reuse parts of your essays, and don’t count yourself out