The Best STEM Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

About STEM scholarships

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which serves as an umbrella term for several fields, including but not limited to computer science, physics, mechanical engineering, biology, and industrial engineering.

The umbrella term means this field is exponentially lucrative. Due to the demand for graduates in the STEM field, scholarship opportunities for STEM majors are growing. About 58% of most doctoral degrees are awarded in science and engineering. The STEM workforce represented 23% of the total U.S. workforce in 2019 and continues to grow.

If you plan to obtain a STEM education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, you should apply for a scholarship exclusive to STEM students. There are fruitful opportunities for students pursuing an exciting STEM degree, focusing on cutting-edge technologies, new developments, and creative solutions.

As a philosophy, STEM is meant to create a program that integrates all four disciplines in a way that forces students to engage in cross-disciplinary knowledge to solve problems. As a STEM student, you become engaged and equipped with critical thinking, problem-solving, creative and collaborative skills, and ultimately establish connections between school, community, workplace, and the global economy.

Being involved in school and community activities within the STEM field grows the importance of STEM majors and increases internship opportunities for students that pursue STEM careers. STEM scholarships are dedicated to STEM students, limiting the eligible candidates and increasing the chances of scholarship awards. Expect some competition when applying for a STEM scholarship as more students choose to pursue STEM careers.

If you're a student studying in the STEM field or know one who is, there are many opportunities that will pique your interest. On Bold.org, there are numerous STEM scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, and new scholarships are created every day, generating various scholarships to support students of all levels.

What is a STEM scholarship?

STEM college scholarships are awards that focus on students pursuing STEM fields. Students must dedicate themselves to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to qualify for these scholarships. Specific scholarship awards are open to all STEM fields, while others focus on particular segments, like technology, engineering, and math.

Scholarships vary in amounts, and the donor or your school will determine the eligibility criteria for scholarship use. Scholarship recipients of a STEM scholarship will be able to lessen the financial burden of college expenses. Bold.org's scholarship platform hosts a wide range of scholarships for STEM majors.

A technology scholarship like Bold Technology Matters Scholarship is an outstanding STEM scholarship for students pursuing a STEM major. Please browse through our scholarships to see what awards you are qualified for and take notice of annual scholarship opportunities.

Can you get a scholarship for STEM?

In general, STEM scholarships have minor requirements; for example, they may request students currently in college or high school students beginning post-secondary education, a specific age range, graduate students, or a specific GPA; others may require majoring in STEM. However, there are STEM scholarships to apply for even if you do not major in STEM.

Scholarships for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are available to apply for on Bold.org. For instance, if you plan to study computer science or chemistry, you can undoubtedly receive a scholarship for STEM. The constant search for scholarships can be challenging to maintain, but you can keep track of your applications on your account's "My Applications" page. This page shows your submitted applications and drafts and when scholarships are reviewed or awarded. Apply to any of the scholarships on this page to add to your submitted applications!

Additionally, many businesses or community organizations offer scholarships that can consider applying for. For example, Google has a scholarship called "The Generation Google Scholarship", a scholarship program that assists aspiring computer science students to excel in technology. Applicants are not required to be currently enrolled in an academic program of study to apply. However, applicants must intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program at an accredited university or college in the United States or Canada. The Generation Google Scholarship is an excellent resource for students planning to enter STEM fields.

How to apply for STEM scholarships

One of the first steps in searching for STEM scholarships is to reach out to your college's financial aid office to see what assistance and scholarships your college offers. In addition to institutional aid, external scholarship platforms can help find resources and other scholarships to assist your educational journey. Bold.org is dedicated to fighting student debt by assisting students in finding funding opportunities to lessen their tuition costs. 

Whether in high school, college, or vocational-technical school, Bold.org is an excellent place to start your scholarship search. Simply create a Bold.org account and begin browsing available STEM scholarships. This scholarship platform is the largest independent scholarship program with abundant funding opportunities waiting to be awarded to STEM students. Simply follow the application prompts and click "apply now" to complete your application! 

Scholarships will differ in eligibility criteria; applicants must make sure they are eligible for the application to maximize their earnings. There can be significant competition for STEM scholarships due to the range of applicants searching for financial relief. Never assume all scholarship committees want the same information from you.

STEM college students can make their application stand out by impressive writing skills. Don't worry if you're not a great writer! Many STEM students tend to be stronger in math or science than in writing skills, and that's okay. Many scholarships allow students to showcase their unique strengths and you can also check out our best tips for creating an excellent essay here.

How to get a STEM scholarship

The most significant determining factor of whether you're eligible for a STEM scholarship is your major. A major in engineering technology, computer science, or mechanical engineering is considered an eligible major for STEM scholarships, among several others. Seeking out scholarships with a more narrowly defined field of interest, such as marine biology or industrial engineering, will limit the application pool, increasing the chances of winning scholarship awards.

Students should be very organized and apply for as many scholarships as possible. When applying for STEM scholarships, take your time to ensure you have thoroughly read the requirements and instructions for the applications process. You are more likely to win a scholarship that directly matches your interests, qualifications, and applicant profile.

An applicant profile on Bold.org showcases who you are, your interests, career goals, and more. Having a robust and polished profile increases the chances of winning scholarships. Simply click Join Bold.org to create your profile to start applying for scholarships! As you join the Bold.org platform, you will get the opportunity to browse through an abundance of scholarships and showcase your achievements; Bold.org is entirely free to use and simple to navigate.

Best STEM scholarships

There is a wide variety of scholarships available on Bold.org for STEM. Meeting the eligibility requirements of a scholarship is the first thing you should be looking for to find scholarships that fulfill your needs. The best STEM scholarships will be the ones most suited to your interests for your academic endeavors.

Bold.org offers many scholarships and encourages students to apply for as many scholarships as possible to maximize their scholarship awards. Below is a list of STEM scholarships waiting to be awarded to STEM students. 

1. Hustle Tech & Business News No-Essay Scholarship
2. First Generation POH Scholarship Fund
3. Bold Technology Matters Scholarship
4. Bold Science Matters Scholarship
5. Mary P. Perlea Scholarship Fund

STEM scholarships for high school students

Most scholarships are tailored toward graduating high school seniors; with that said, a senior has a higher chance of winning scholarship awards. High school seniors planning to obtain a STEM education will discover STEM scholarships here at Bold.org. Though do not be discouraged, scholarships for high school students seeking a STEM degree are not limited to high school seniors. High school students, regardless of year, are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. The earlier students apply, the better their chances of maximizing their awarded scholarships.

When you begin searching for STEM scholarships, it is essential to reach out to your college's financial aid office to see what financial assistance and scholarship opportunities your college offers. Financial assistance comes in various forms, and one of the most significant is scholarships. A STEM student will learn to use science and math to solve problems and drive our nation's innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies, and new industries. High school seniors pursuing STEM fields from a college or university are indispensable in a career in STEM. For most STEM fields, higher education is not optional.

High school students are encouraged to apply early and often. An excellent resource aside from Bold.org is The National Society of High School Scholars Foundation, fostering education through scholarships for students in STEM.

Below is a list of scholarships on Bold.org for high school seniors. 

1. "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship
2. Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship
3. Dr. Rajesh Aggarwal Scholarship for Scientific Studies
4. Morning Brew Tech & Business News Scholarship
5. Learner.com Algebra Scholarship

STEM scholarships for high school seniors

High school seniors can access numerous scholarships exclusively available to high school seniors pursuing an accredited university, technical school, or college, and those available to all high school students. Selecting "High School" as the education level on Bold.org’s scholarship search can help high school students explore options tailored to them. 

When looking for STEM-specific scholarships, consider that some STEM scholarships will look for demonstrated leadership, underrepresented groups, financial need, academic achievements, or community service. Be sure to read each application carefully to ensure your eligibility and improve your candidacy.

Bold.org presents high school seniors with numerous scholarships. The scholarships listed below are exclusive to high school seniors.

1. Eleven Scholarship
2. Jacob Daniel Dumas Memorial Scholarship
3. Maine Catalyst Scholarship
4. Learner Calculus Scholarship
5. Anthony Jordan Clark Memorial Scholarship

Additional scholarships for high school seniors can be found here! 

STEM scholarships for college students

Current college students who pursue careers in STEM have hundreds of scholarships they can apply for. A common misconception is that scholarships are only for high school students. The reality is college students have access to an abundance of lucrative scholarship opportunities. Current undergraduate and graduate students should apply for scholarships to reduce the cost of their tuition and related expenses.

In addition to the opportunities available on Bold.org, graduate students studying STEM can access STEMGradStudents.science.gov for exclusive STEM scholarships. The White House National Science and Technology Council's Committee on STEM Education and participating agencies collaborated to develop this site. It was established for searching Federally-sponsored opportunities for graduate students seeking education in STEM fields. A graduate student will find graduate fellowships, internship opportunities, and more on the website.

College students, including graduate students seeking STEM scholarships, are encouraged to apply for Bold.org scholarships. Bold.org STEM scholarships are easy to apply for, and the website is simple to navigate, making the scholarship application process straightforward. Submit a scholarship application now by clicking on one of the scholarships listed below! 

1. Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship
2. Sentant Interdisciplinary Technology Scholarship
3. Michael Delaney Sullivan Scholarship
4. Pablo M. Ortiz Scholarship Fund
5. Electronic Shark Scholarship

Scholarships for women in STEM

Scholarships geared toward all STEM students are competitive, but you are a more appealing candidate to scholarship committees as a female undergraduate or graduate student. 

Women hold about 34% of STEM workers with a bachelor's degree or higher. Women's underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math is a prominent concern in our society. 

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers scholarship opportunities to support women in STEM pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. The Society of Women Engineers' scholarships assists female undergraduate students and graduate students pursuing an accredited four-year college or university in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology, and computer science globally.

The Bold.org scholarship platform seeks to help women pursue STEM degrees by offering scholarships to female students to assist in closing the gender gap in STEM fields. Take advantage of these specific scholarships opportunities to help you reach your full potential and pay for college.

Whether you are a female student pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree, Bold.org offers STEM scholarships exclusive to female students here!

STEM scholarships for minorities

The share of degrees in STEM awarded to underrepresented minorities—Hispanics or Latinos, Blacks or African Americans, and American Indians or Alaska Natives—has increased over the past decade. In 2018, underrepresented minority students received 24% of all science and engineering bachelor’s degrees awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Your cultural heritage can help you find scholarships and grants explicitly reserved for minority students. If you belong to a minority group, make sure you exhaust every option when searching for minority scholarships. This includes applying for scholarships for minorities on Bold.org. Below is a short list of scholarships to apply for.

1. Stephan L. Daniels Lift As We Climb Scholarship
2. Latinas in STEM Scholarship
3. Minority/Women in STEM Scholarship
4. HM Family Scholarship
5. Indigenous Women In STEM Scholarship

Scholarships for black women in STEM

Many organizations and schools offer college scholarships for Black and African American students. Black women in STEM can find an excellent technology scholarship at Microsoft called Blacks at Microsoft (BAM). The BAM Scholarship was designed to enable Black and African American college students to pursue a career in technology. 

Prospective students must demonstrate financial need, plan to attend a four-year institution, be a US-based high school senior of African descent, and have a passion for technology. This technology scholarship program will award 45 scholarships totaling $182,500 USD.

Any conversation about advancing women in STEM is incomplete without looking at the unique career barriers experienced by Black women in STEM fields. Approximately 2% of STEM jobs are held by Black women nationwide. Black female students are encouraged to apply to Bold.org 's scholarships to increase their chances of winning award money for their college expenses. Below are some scholarships for black women who are pursuing STEM careers.

1. Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship
2. Black Students in STEM Scholarship Fund
3. Jeffrey A. Mattos Memorial Nursing Scholarship
4. Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship
5. Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship

More STEM scholarships for women can be found here!

Frequently asked questions about STEM scholarships

During your scholarship application process, you may have questions about how to proceed or how Bold.org works. Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked scholarship questions for students pursuing STEM careers.

How to find STEM scholarships

First, consider reaching out to your college's financial aid office to see what financial assistance and scholarship opportunities your college offers. If you are in high school, consider consulting your guidance counselor to find options available to you. Additionally, online scholarship platforms like Bold.org are a great resource to find STEM scholarships.

Finding STEM scholarships on Bold.org is simple and easy. Making a free profile with Bold.org gives students access to hundreds of scholarships in one place for students of any academic level. With a Bold profile, students will find scholarships from various donors, saving students both time and money. Tools like the filtered search can help students find scholarships tailored to their interests and needs. Simply click on any scholarship on this page to get started!

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship? 

A scholarship donor or sponsor may set specific criteria or conditions for their scholarship. This may reflect an organization's fundamental values and objectives or be in memory of an individual to support those from a similar background. 

The eligibility requirements for scholarships will vary, but they will always be displayed in the description. Scholarships on Bold.org are available to students of all levels and degrees. Still, some might have stricter requirements, such as students passionate about technology, students in underrepresented groups, or low-income students.

There are hundreds of scholarships with zero requirements to meet, like our No Essay Scholarships, where all you have to do is click 'apply' and submit your contact information. On Bold.org, creating a complete, polished , and detailed profile can increase your chances of becoming nominated for scholarships and eligible for Bold Points scholarships.

Before you begin a scholarship application, carefully read the instructions and eligibility requirements to ensure you are an eligible candidate. You can improve your chances of winning a scholarship award by applying to scholarships with more narrow requirements. The stricter the qualifications are, the less competition there will be.

To receive a scholarship, do I have to fill out the FAFSA?

Scholarship policies vary from one college to another. Generally, if you apply for any form of financial assistance, your school may ask you to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Scholarship applications typically do not require a completed FAFSA form. To be sure, reach out to your college's financial administration office. At Bold.org, you do not need to fill out the FAFSA to apply for our scholarships. 

How will I receive my scholarship award? 

To determine each scholarship winner, representatives from Bold.org or the scholarship donor will review the accepted scholarship applications. Once a scholarship fund is awarded and verified, Bold.org will provide payment of the awarded scholarship to the scholarship winner's accredited post-secondary institution to be applied toward tuition and other related educational expenses upon receiving proof of enrollment.  

How can I use a scholarship?  

A scholarship award can be used for any educational expense, including tuition, books, housing, etc. The donor or your school determines the eligibility criteria for scholarship use. Typically, scholarships are used towards tuition or outstanding fees. Upon winning a scholarship, the funds will be sent directly to your school's financial aid office to be applied to your tuition and other education-related expenses. Scholarships from private sources can be deposited directly into your college account or sent to you by check or direct deposit.  

In the event that you receive scholarships and grants that exceed your total tuition and fees, your school may refund the remaining scholarship award. If you get a tuition refund directly or indirectly, you can often use that money towards education costs like books, or room and board, among other related expenses. 

Are scholarships counted as income? 

Scholarships are essentially considered free money that can enable students to pursue a higher education that otherwise might not have been possible, so the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is generous in minimizing students' tax obligations.

The federal government also provides savings plans, tax credits, and deductions to help taxpayers with their higher education expenses. Additional information regarding these benefits can be found on the IRS website. Degree-seeking students who receive grants, scholarships, or fellowships must pay taxes on the money only if the total exceeds the value of their qualified tuition and related expenses. The Internal Revenue Service defines qualified tuition and related fees.

Do I have to have an excellent GPA to apply for scholarships? 

Grade point average isn't always considered when applying for scholarship awards on scholarship programs. Bold.org offers a wide array of scholarships that include GPA but do not always have specific GPA requirements. A STEM student should be aware that most STEM scholarships consider GPA.