Engineering Scholarships for College

Engineering Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Engineering majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 48 active scholarships tied to Engineering programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $736,000 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.

Early-Career Pay & ROI

Early-career median pay for Engineering graduates is about $97,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 89% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.1 years (before taxes and living expenses).

Engineering Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Engineering scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

ACE Mentor Program Scholarships

The ACE Mentor Program Scholarships are part of a broader initiative by the ACE Mentor Program — a nonprofit mentoring network that introduces high school students to careers in architecture, engineering, and construction while guiding them toward postsecondary success. Through

Award: $2,000 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
2

SENEDIA Scholarships

The SENEDIA Scholarships are a set of awards offered by SENEDIA® (Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance) to support students pursuing education in fields that are integral to the defense, technology, engineering, and advanced manufacturing sectors. These scholarships recognize academic

Award: Varies Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (88 min)
3

NOAA Ernest Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship

The Hollings Scholarship provides significant financial support and professional development opportunities for undergraduate students interested in the oceanic, atmospheric, environmental, and related sciences, engineering, technology, and education fields. The program aims to expand undergraduate training in areas relevant to the

Award: $9,500 Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
4

Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Scholarship

The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Scholarship supports students who are pursuing studies in chemistry, analytical chemistry, or closely related scientific disciplines and who demonstrate strong academic performance and interest in the chemical sciences. The Society for Analytical Chemists

Award: Varies Deadline: December Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
5

Society of Chemical Industry Scholarship

The Society of Chemical Industry Scholarship supports outstanding students who are pursuing education and careers related to chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, and fields connected to chemical innovation. This scholarship is designed to encourage academic excellence, research involvement, and future

Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
6

AFCEA Educational Foundation STEM Major Scholarship

The AFCEA Educational Foundation offers the STEM Major Scholarship to support full-time undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) majors who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership potential and interest in fields such as cybersecurity, communications, intelligence or homeland

Award: $2,500 Deadline: May Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
7

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship

The Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship is designed to increase the diversity of the U.S. academic faculty by supporting individuals pursuing research-based doctoral study (Ph.D. or Sc.D.) in eligible fields such as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics.

Award: $27,000 Deadline: December Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
8

ACS Undergraduate Scholarship

The ACS Undergraduate Scholarship, offered by the American Chemical Society (ACS), is a premier national scholarship program designed to support the next generation of chemical scientists. This program invests in high-achieving students who are passionate about chemistry and related disciplines,

Award: $10,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)
9

Teradata H.O.P.E. in Tech Scholarship

The Teradata H.O.P.E. in Tech Scholarship is designed to help students who have faced significant challenges and are pursuing degrees in STEM fields. By providing this financial support, Teradata seeks to foster a more inclusive and diverse technology industry, ensuring

Award: $2,500 Deadline: May Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
10

Ed Dwight Scholarship

The Ed Dwight Scholarship, offered through the NAACP’s Inspire Initiatives, provides funding to outstanding students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Named in honor of Ed Dwight — the first Black astronaut candidate, trailblazer in the American space program, accomplished author, and sculptor

Award: $2,500 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
11

(SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), provides merit-based scholarships to students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in approved STEM disciplines. In addition to full tuition coverage, recipients

Award: Varies Deadline: August Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
12

Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows Program

The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Fellows Program offers competitive, multi-year, paid summer internships for students of color in the media, technology, and business sectors. Fellows engage in immersive, hands-on training at leading companies in areas such as Business (e.g., marketing,

Award: Varies Deadline: May Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)

Engineering scholarships fund students training to design infrastructure, develop energy systems, build aircraft, secure networks, and manufacture advanced materials. Engineering programs are resource-intensive: lab fees, software licenses, project materials, competition travel, and unpaid research can add significant cost beyond tuition. Scholarships reduce borrowing and, in many cases, connect students to internships, research labs, and professional networks.

Most engineering awards are sponsored by professional societies (ASME, IEEE, ASCE, AIChE), industry employers (aerospace, defense, manufacturing, tech), universities, and federal agencies. Committees typically look for quantitative strength, project experience, and evidence that you can apply theory to real engineering problems.

CollegeWhale Tip: Engineering applications are stronger when they show technical depth. If you ran simulations, built a prototype, optimized a system, or reduced failure rates, quantify it. Numbers carry weight.

Quick Match: Which Engineering Scholarships Fit You?

Your Focus Area Most Likely Scholarship Sources What Reviewers Emphasize
High school senior entering engineering STEM pipeline programs, robotics-linked awards, corporate STEM scholarships AP math/science rigor, FIRST/robotics experience, hands-on projects
Civil / Infrastructure ASCE, ACI, PCI Foundation, state transportation scholarships Structural coursework, internships, construction or field exposure
Mechanical / Manufacturing ASME, SME Foundation, automotive or aerospace sponsors Design projects, thermodynamics/mechanics grades, CAD proficiency
Electrical / Computer IEEE, tech industry scholarships, defense-related programs Circuit design, embedded systems, coding, research involvement
Chemical / Materials AIChE, industry partners, research fellowships Lab research, process modeling, safety and systems understanding
Research or PhD track Goldwater, NSF-style programs, faculty-nominated awards Undergraduate research, publications, advanced math performance

Engineering Scholarships for High School Seniors

High school seniors planning to major in engineering can qualify for awards that recognize STEM rigor and early project experience.

  • Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Scholarship: Supports students entering civil, mechanical, electrical, and related engineering fields, often with an emphasis on public service careers.
  • FIRST Robotics Scholarships: Available to students who participated in FIRST Robotics competitions and are pursuing engineering degrees.
  • Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship: Provides substantial renewable awards for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds entering engineering or computer science programs.

Strong applicants often demonstrate advanced math preparation, robotics or engineering competitions, internships, or independent design projects.

Civil Engineering Scholarships

Civil engineering students can access funding tied to infrastructure, transportation, environmental systems, and construction.

  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Scholarships: Multiple undergraduate and graduate awards tied to academic achievement and professional involvement.
  • ACI Foundation Scholarships: Supports students specializing in concrete materials, structural design, and construction engineering.
  • PCI Foundation Scholarships: Focused on precast concrete and structural systems.

Civil-focused scholarships often favor students with internships in transportation departments, environmental agencies, or construction firms.

Mechanical Engineering Scholarships

Mechanical engineering students frequently qualify for awards tied to design, manufacturing, automotive systems, and energy.

  • ASME Scholarships: For academically strong student members active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
  • Ford Motor Company Engineering Scholarships: Support students pursuing automotive, mechanical, or systems engineering pathways.
  • GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program: Recognizes leadership potential and financial need in STEM students.

Mechanical awards often emphasize project-based work: senior design, robotics builds, fluid or thermal system modeling, and manufacturing internships.

Electrical, Chemical, and Field-Specific Scholarships

Many engineering scholarships are discipline-specific and administered through professional societies.

  • IEEE Scholarships: For electrical and electronics engineering students demonstrating technical excellence and involvement.
  • AIChE Scholarships: For chemical engineering students who are members of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
  • SME Education Foundation Scholarships: Focused on manufacturing and industrial engineering majors.
  • SAE International Scholarships: For students pursuing automotive or aerospace engineering programs.

Professional society membership often increases eligibility and access to smaller but recurring annual awards.

Merit-Based Engineering Scholarships

Some of the most competitive engineering scholarships reward academic excellence and research potential.

  • Barry Goldwater Scholarship: Prestigious award for undergraduates pursuing research careers in STEM, including engineering disciplines.
  • Tau Beta Pi Scholarships: Offered by the national engineering honor society to high-performing upperclassmen.
  • SMART Scholarship for Service: Department of Defense program covering full tuition and providing a stipend in exchange for post-graduation government service.

These programs often require faculty nomination, strong technical references, and documented research or advanced coursework.

Scholarships for Underrepresented Engineering Students

Many organizations focus on expanding access to engineering careers.

  • NACME Scholarships: Supports minority students pursuing engineering or computer science degrees at partner institutions.
  • NSBE Scholarships: Offered by the National Society of Black Engineers to members enrolled in accredited programs.
  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund STEM Awards: Supports Hispanic students studying engineering, math, or science.
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships: Provides significant annual funding to women in engineering and technology fields.

These programs may combine financial awards with mentoring, networking, and internship pipelines.

Engineering Internships That Include Scholarships or Stipends

Some engineering internships function like scholarships because they provide stipends, tuition benefits, or structured career pathways.

  • NASA Pathways Internship Program: Paid internships that may lead to continued employment or educational support.
  • Department of Energy Scholars Program: Research internships with stipends for engineering and energy-related majors.
  • NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): Summer research placements with stipends and housing support.

Research-based internships are particularly valuable for students considering graduate study.

How to Qualify for Engineering Scholarships

Most engineering scholarships require:

  • Enrollment in or acceptance to an ABET-accredited engineering program
  • A minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher)
  • Strong performance in math and core engineering courses
  • Leadership or involvement in engineering organizations or projects
  • Essays, recommendations, and sometimes project portfolios

Strategies to Strengthen an Engineering Scholarship Application

  • Document project work: Senior design, capstone projects, research labs, robotics builds, coding projects, or fabrication work.
  • Highlight internships: Industry, research, or co-op experience demonstrates applied knowledge.
  • Join professional societies: ASME, IEEE, ASCE, AIChE, SWE, NSBE, and others frequently sponsor member scholarships.
  • Request technical recommendations: Choose professors who can speak to analytical ability and engineering judgment.
  • Apply annually: Many professional societies offer recurring awards for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Engineering scholarships reward students who show they can translate theory into function. Clear documentation of technical competence, leadership in project environments, and defined career direction significantly increases competitiveness.

Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols

Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.