The Best Tech Scholarships with 2024 Deadlines

About Tech Scholarships

Technology is a rapidly growing field that is becoming larger and more valuable each year. Technology has a much faster than average growth rate and already makes up 35% of the world market. Additionally, the technology sector is projected to exceed $5.3 trillion in value this year, as there are already more than 585,000 tech companies in the United States alone. However, with college becoming increasingly expensive, many high school graduates and future students are being deterred from pursuing their undergraduate degree goals.

College costs have more than doubled since 2000, now costing an average of $35,331 per year. Depending on the location and status of one's school, the cost can vary greatly. Even at public, in-state schools, tuition can still be too pricey for the average undergraduate or graduate student to afford. As a result, millions of students are forced to turn to loans, with the average borrower owing $37,584.

Student loans can help those with financial need access higher education, but high interest rates and low entry-level job salaries can lead to borrowers becoming buried in debt, especially those who take out loans but don't complete their degrees. With more students becoming aware of the risks of student loans, many prospective students may feel unable to pursue college, leaving a shortage of trained tech professionals. 

As technology becomes increasingly vital in the world, it's critical that the next generation of tech leaders are supported through higher education so they can become multifaceted employees with knowledge of mathematics, business, computer science, and related fields. A technology scholarship program can be instrumental in helping a student pursue an education and career in technology.

What is a tech scholarship?

Technology scholarships are a unique form of financial aid that are aimed specifically toward students majoring in tech or a related field. Tech scholarships seek to support students pursuing studies in technology at an accredited college and can be for those pursuing an undergraduate degree and/or a graduate degree. Scholarship recipients can use their awards to cover their financial need so they can afford the costs of college. 

Technology is an innovative and growing field, encompassing fields such as information technology, computer science, and related disciplines. There are many ways to qualify for tech awards, often including pursuing a certain major, participating in tech programs, or working in a tech-related industry. 

Tech scholarships are often offered directly by colleges and universities but they can come from many other sources as well. Both current students and continuing students can benefit from external scholarships like those offered on Bold.org.

Can you get a scholarship for tech?

As technology becomes an increasingly vital part of the world, the number of available tech scholarship programs is booming. Students can benefit from many different technology scholarships from a variety of sources to help them fund their college degrees. 

High school seniors and college students should check with their advisor or financial aid office to find out what tech opportunities may be available to them. Additionally, students can benefit from third-party scholarships - such as those found on Bold.org, an independent scholarship platform.

Students can also seek out scholarships from their employers, their parents' companies, and local businesses or organizations that are offering scholarship aid. Regardless of your age, experience, or financial situation, there are scholarships available for anyone pursuing tech or a related field. 

How to apply for tech scholarships

The first step in applying for scholarships is to create a Bold.org profile here. Applying for scholarships on Bold.org is completely free, so you can apply for as many scholarships as you'd like with no fee. 

Before applying, make sure your profile is completed. Your profile will supplement your applications by giving donors more context about your experience, background, and goals for the future. Additionally, the eligibility blockers on Bold.org scholarships may prevent you from applying if your profile is missing necessary information. 

Once you've finished working on your profile, you can start browsing through the hundreds of available scholarships here. You can utilize the scholarship filters to find opportunities related to certain hobbies, interests, career industries, and more! When you find a scholarship you're interested in, you can click "apply now" after adding in any necessary application materials to submit your application. 

If you're short on time, you can bookmark the scholarships you're interested in so you can return to them later. Keep reading for application tips that will boost your chance of winning!

How to get a tech scholarship

Tech scholarships may seem too good to be true. While scholarships are a form of free money and are certainly preferable to loans, they can also be competitive since there is a limited number of awards available. Many students are seeking aid from scholarships and grants, so securing a scholarship requires hard work and commitment. 

To increase your chances of winning a Bold.org tech scholarship, there are several things you can do. First, find scholarships that are open to just a small group of students. For example, scholarships for women in tech will have fewer eligible applicants than scholarships open to all students. Similarly, scholarships for a certain grade level demographic, like scholarships for high school seniors or undergraduate students, can also be an easy way to find a scholarship program with a smaller applicant pool. By applying for more narrow scholarships, you'll reduce your competition and increase your chances of winning!

Additionally, you can help yourself stick out to donors by being among the first to apply for scholarships. To find new scholarships, you can filter by "newest" to pull up the most recently created scholarships. New opportunities are published daily, so check back often for new scholarships! You can further stand out to donors by having a detailed and unique profile, being nominated by friends, and earning more bold points.

It's important to keep in mind that scholarships may have specific eligibility requirements, such as community service experience, cumulative GPA, low-income status, gender, race, and/or leadership potential. Eligible candidates must meet all of the criteria in order to apply, and those who aren't qualified students will likely be blocked from applying.

You can also win more scholarships by putting more time and effort into your applications. No-essay scholarships will typically be more competitive since they're so easy to apply for. These opportunities can still be useful, especially if you have limited time to spend on applications, but try to also apply for scholarships that require applicants to write essays or submit other materials, as these requirements will deter some other students from applying. 

When you do write an essay, follow the tips outlined here. Make sure to stick to the given prompt, proofread before submitting, and craft a unique and personal essay that will stand out from the many others that the donor will read.

Best tech scholarships

While you can find scholarships for any field of study on Bold.org, in addition to broad scholarships open to all students, tech-specific scholarships may be your area to shine! Below, you'll find lists of technology scholarships for various groups of students. Just click on any of the links below to begin applying.

Tech scholarships for high school students

Many students don't take the time to apply for scholarships while in high school. However, high school students often have more free time than college students, making it a great time to begin applying for scholarships. 

In order to make the most of your high school years, consider applying early so that you can begin accumulating financial aid before you even begin college. The more you earn now, the less you'll have to worry about while working on your degree. High school seniors can benefit from exclusive opportunities open just to graduating seniors.

Roger Boston Scholarship

Jacob Daniel Dumas Memorial Scholarship

Software Engineers Scholarship

Tech scholarships for college students

College students can continue taking advantage of scholarships whether they are undergraduates or graduate students. Regardless of your specific field of study, there are STEM and tech awards available for you. Both undergraduate students and graduate students can get started with the list below!

Morning Brew Tech & Business News Scholarship

Hustle Tech & Business News No-Essay Scholarship

WTFintech? No-Essay Scholarship

Scholarships for women in tech

There are many scholarships available specifically for female tech students. Women are underrepresented in many STEM fields, including technology and engineering. Women make up only 19% of STEM graduates and hold just 24% of computing jobs. 

Additionally, just 11% of engineers are female. Due to the overrepresentation of men in tech, women often feel isolated in the field and are 45% more likely to leave the industry.

To help rectify this imbalance in tech, many donors specifically seek to uplift female students so that they have the support they need to finish their degrees. The female-focused scholarships below are a great place to start.

Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship

Rho Brooks Women in STEM Scholarship

Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship

Tech scholarships for minorities

The tech industry is not only imbalanced in terms of gender but is also disproportionate in terms of race, with minorities being underrepresented. Black and Hispanic employees are particularly underrepresented in high tech, making up just 7.4% and 8% of the industry, respectively, despite making up 13% and 18% of the overall population.

To support diversity in tech, there are many scholarships designed particularly to uplift minority students. Check out the scholarships below to get started!

Future Minority Leaders Scholarship

Coding for Minorities Scholarship

Cybersecurity Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about tech scholarships

How to find tech scholarships

Scholarships can be competitive, so finding the right scholarship program to apply for is critical. To find the best scholarships, you can use the filter features on Bold.org to find scholarships open to your education level. For instance, you can find a scholarship program that is specifically for graduate students or undergrads. You can also use these filters to browse scholarships by the nearest deadline, highest amount, and other categories.

Scholarship categories include fields of study, hobbies, and demographic groups so that you can find the perfect scholarships for you regardless of your background or experience! 

When can I start applying?

Students can begin applying for scholarships on Bold.org as soon as they're at least fourteen years old and in college. Other scholarships, such as those offered directly by your accredited college, may require applicants to be accepted to or enrolled in a college to apply. 

Your college finances may not be on your mind in high school, but starting your scholarship search early can help you maximize your scholarship earnings. The more money you win while in high school, the more freedom you'll have when it comes time to choose a college that you can afford. 

Many high school underclassmen don't take the time to apply for scholarships, so you'll be up against less competition if you apply early. 

What do I have to do to apply?

Every scholarship is different, but most scholarships require applicants to submit a short essay or written statement. For essay-based scholarships, you'll be given a short prompt or question to respond to. Required essays generally only have to be a few hundred words and typically don't require outside research. You can usually apply for essay scholarships by writing about past experiences and/or your goals for the future!

Other scholarships may require you to submit a video, artwork, images, or other files either in place of (or in addition to) an essay. In some cases, you may not need to submit anything to apply! No-essay scholarships may allow you to apply with just a few clicks, making them easy and quick options. 

When applying for no-essay scholarships, your Bold.org profile will often be the basis of your application. Make sure that your profile is accurate, complete, and unique so that donors can connect with you and understand why you're a good candidate. Even when scholarships require essays or other submissions, your profile can supplement your application so always be sure that your profile is a good reflection of you.

Are scholarships counted as income?

In most cases, scholarship money is not counted as income. If scholarship money is used towards qualified costs, including tuition, book costs, or course fees, it generally won't be considered income and won't be taxed. However, if you are using scholarship money for other expenses, such as room and board, travel, etc., then it may be counted as taxable income. 

Additionally, if the amount of scholarship financial aid scholarship recipients receive is greater than the total eligible costs, then the excess will likely be taxed. Always check the terms and conditions of your scholarship to make sure you understand any tax implications that come with the money.