- 1.NSF S-STEM provides up to $15,000/year for undergrads, $20,000 for grad students (NSF, 2025)
- 2.Generation Google Scholarship: $10,000 for CS/engineering students, preference for underrepresented groups
- 3.Dell Scholars Program: $20,000 + laptop + support services for Pell Grant-eligible students
- 4.Many state programs cover full tuition at public universities for top STEM students
$20K/yr
NSF S-STEM (Grad)
$20K
Dell Scholars
$10K
Google Scholarship
$10K/yr
Amazon Scholarship
Federal STEM Scholarship Programs
The NSF S-STEM program seeks to increase the number of academically promising low-income students who graduate with STEM degrees and contribute to the American innovation economy.
S-STEM scholarships provide up to $15,000 per year for undergraduate students and $20,000 for graduate students. To be eligible, scholars must be domestic low-income students with academic ability, talent, or potential and demonstrated unmet financial need who are enrolled in an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree program.
Note: NSF doesn't award directly to students—universities apply for S-STEM grants and then distribute scholarships. Check with your college's financial aid office to see if they participate.
Corporate STEM Scholarships
Major tech companies sponsor significant scholarship programs to build their future workforce pipeline:
| Program | Award | Eligibility | Notable Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Google Scholarship | $10,000 | CS/Engineering students; preference for women and minorities | One-time award |
| Dell Scholars Program | $20,000 | Pell Grant-eligible HS seniors in college readiness programs | Laptop, textbooks, academic support, teletherapy |
| Amazon Future Engineer | $10,000/year | HS seniors with high financial need planning CS major | Renewable 4 years; paid internship opportunity |
| Latinos in Technology | Up to $6,000/year | 3rd/4th year Latino students in STEM majors | Renewable up to 3 years |
| SBB Research Group | $2,500 | STEM students | 12 scholarships per year |
Source: Scholarships.com, Bold.org, 2026
State STEM Programs
Many states offer full-tuition scholarships for top STEM students attending in-state public universities:
- New York STEM Incentive Program — Covers full tuition at SUNY/CUNY for top 10% of graduating class who pursue STEM majors and agree to work in NY for 5 years
- West Virginia STEM Scholarship — Up to $3,000/year, renewable for 4 years for CS-eligible STEM majors
- Florida Bright Futures — Covers 100% tuition for top students pursuing STEM at Florida public universities
- Georgia HOPE Scholarship — Covers tuition at Georgia public colleges for students maintaining 3.0 GPA
According to Scholarships.com, 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.
Application Strategy
Maximize your chances of winning STEM scholarships with these strategies:
- Complete FAFSA first — Many scholarships, especially need-based ones, require FAFSA completion. This also unlocks federal grants and loans.
- Start with your school — Check financial aid office for institution-specific STEM scholarships and NSF S-STEM participation
- Apply to multiple scholarships — Smaller scholarships ($1,000-$5,000) have better odds; apply to many rather than just big-name programs
- Highlight projects and experience — STEM scholarships value demonstrated interest: personal projects, internships, competitions, and research
- Meet deadlines early — Many scholarships are rolling or have early-bird advantages; don't wait until the last minute
Source: Scholarship America
Current Open Scholarships & Deadlines
Several major STEM scholarships are currently accepting applications:
- Western Digital STEM Scholarship — Open through April 1, 2026
- CDM Smith Scholarship Program — Opening March 2026
- National STEM Excellence Scholarship — Opening March 2026
- AMETEK International STEM Scholarship — Opening March 2026
- HealthArc Scholarship — $2,000 (undergrad) / $3,000 (grad) for health tech and biomedical engineering
For a comprehensive, updated list of STEM scholarships with deadlines, visit Scholarships.com, Bold.org, or Scholarships360.
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Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.