Engineering Scholarships and Grants for 2025 and 2026

Are There Engineering Scholarships for High School Seniors?

Yes, high school seniors planning to pursue engineering degrees have access to a wide range of scholarships. These awards are designed to support students entering college-level STEM programs and often reward academic performance, leadership, and hands-on experience. Examples include:

• Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Scholarship: Awards for students pursuing civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering degrees, especially those interested in public service.
• FIRST Robotics Scholarships: Available to students who have participated in FIRST Robotics competitions and plan to study engineering.
• Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship: Offers $10,000 per year for high-achieving seniors from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing engineering or computer science.

What Scholarships and Grants Are Available for Civil Engineering Students?

Students pursuing degrees in civil engineering can apply for specialized scholarships that support infrastructure, construction, and sustainability projects. Examples include:

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Scholarships: Offers multiple awards to undergraduate and graduate civil engineering students.
• ACI Foundation Scholarships: Focuses on concrete, structural, and environmental engineering students.
• PCI Foundation Scholarships: Supports students interested in precast concrete and structural design.

Are There Engineering Scholarships for Undergraduate Students?

Yes, undergraduate engineering students can access many national and institutional scholarships, such as:

• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Scholarships: Merit-based awards for students studying in ABET-accredited programs.
• Lockheed Martin and Boeing Scholarships: Offered to students pursuing degrees in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering.
• University-Specific Scholarships: Many colleges have dedicated scholarships for engineering majors, especially those in junior or senior years.

What Scholarships Are Available for Mechanical Engineering Students?

Mechanical engineering majors can apply for targeted scholarships, including:

• ASME Scholarships: Provided by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for student members showing academic and leadership excellence.
• Ford Motor Company Engineering Scholarships: For students pursuing mechanical, automotive, or systems engineering.
• GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program: Supports students with financial need and strong academic performance.

What Are Merit-Based Engineering Scholarships?

Merit-based engineering scholarships are awarded to students with high GPAs, leadership roles, and extracurricular achievements in STEM. Popular examples include:

• Barry Goldwater Scholarship: Prestigious scholarship for undergraduates pursuing research careers in STEM, including engineering.
• Tau Beta Pi Scholarships: Offered by the national engineering honor society to top-performing students across disciplines.
• SMART Scholarship for Service: Department of Defense-funded, covering full tuition and a stipend for students in STEM fields.

Are There Engineering Scholarships for Minorities?

Yes, there are several scholarships aimed at increasing diversity within engineering. These include:

• NACME (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering) Scholarships: Supports underrepresented minority students studying engineering or computer science.
• NSBE Scholarships: Offered by the National Society of Black Engineers to support its members in accredited programs.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund STEM Awards: Available to Hispanic students pursuing degrees in science and engineering fields.

What Scholarships Are Available for Women in Engineering?

To support gender diversity in STEM, many organizations offer scholarships to female engineering students. Examples include:

• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships: Offers over $1 million annually to women in engineering, technology, and computer science.
• AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships: For women pursuing graduate degrees in fields like mechanical and civil engineering.
• Google Women Techmakers Scholars Program: Supports women in engineering and technology worldwide with funding and mentorship.

How Do You Qualify for Engineering Scholarships?

To qualify for engineering scholarships, students typically need to:

• Be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited engineering program.
• Maintain a strong GPA (often 3.0 or higher).
• Demonstrate leadership, innovation, or involvement in STEM-related activities.
• Meet specific eligibility criteria: such as being from a certain demographic group, majoring in a specific engineering field, or residing in a particular state.

Some scholarships also require essays, recommendation letters, or project portfolios.

Tips for Winning Engineering Scholarships

Here are a few strategies to improve your chances of winning:

• Apply early and often: Don’t wait for deadlines—many awards are first-come, first-served.
• Tailor your application: Customize your essays and responses for each scholarship’s mission.
• Highlight hands-on experience: Include internships, science fair projects, robotics clubs, etc.
• Get involved with professional organizations: Many engineering societies offer scholarships to student members.

Are There Scholarships for Specific Engineering Fields?

Yes! Many scholarships are tailored to students in specific areas of engineering. Examples include:

• IEEE Scholarships: For electrical and electronics engineering students.
• SME Education Foundation Scholarships: For manufacturing and industrial engineering majors.
• AIChE Scholarships: For chemical engineering students who are members of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
• SAE International Scholarships: For students in automotive and aerospace engineering.

Explore industry associations for your intended major to find niche scholarship opportunities.

Are There Engineering Internships That Include Scholarships?

Yes! Some internships come bundled with scholarship support or offer stipends for future tuition. Examples include:

• NASA Pathways Internship Program – Offers paid internships and potential scholarship benefits.
• Department of Energy Scholars Program – Internship + scholarship support for engineering and energy students.
• NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) – Offers summer research internships with stipends and housing.