- 1.Women make up only 28% of STEM graduates but have access to exclusive scholarship opportunities worth millions
- 2.Major tech companies offer scholarships up to $25,000 annually for women in CS, data science, and engineering
- 3.Applications typically open in fall/winter with deadlines between February-April for the following academic year
- 4.GPA requirements range from 2.5-3.5 minimum, with leadership experience often more important than perfect grades
$2M+
Available Funding
$5,000
Average Award
$25,000
Top Award Amount
March
Application Deadline Peak
Scholarship Landscape for Women in Technology
Despite women representing only 28% of STEM graduates according to NSF data, there's never been more scholarship funding available specifically for women entering technology fields. This represents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity.
The gender gap in technology has prompted major corporations, professional organizations, and universities to create targeted scholarship programs. These range from $1,000 one-time awards to renewable $25,000 annual scholarships covering full tuition at many schools.
Most scholarships focus on computer science, data science, cybersecurity, and software engineering programs, with growing opportunities in artificial intelligence and cloud computing as these fields expand.
| Women Techmakers Scholars | $10,000 | Yes | December 1 | |
| Microsoft | Diversity in Tech Scholarship | $5,000 | No | February 15 |
| Adobe | Research Women-in-Technology | $10,000 | No | March 15 |
| Palantir | Women in Technology | $7,000 | No | April 1 |
| Salesforce | Futureforce Women in Tech | $5,000 | No | January 31 |
| IBM | PhD Fellowship for Women | $25,000 | Yes | November 30 |
Source: IBM Research 2024
Major Corporate Scholarship Programs
Technology companies have invested heavily in diversity initiatives, with scholarship programs being a key component. These corporate scholarships often come with additional benefits beyond funding.
Google's Women Techmakers Scholars program is among the most prestigious, providing $10,000 annually plus mentorship, networking opportunities, and potential internship pathways. Recipients often secure positions as software engineers or AI engineers after graduation.
Microsoft's Diversity in Tech Scholarship focuses on underrepresented groups including women, with emphasis on cloud computing and AI specializations. Many recipients pursue careers in DevOps engineering or cloud architecture after completing cloud computing degrees.
- Google Women Techmakers: $10,000 + mentorship + conference attendance
- Adobe Research Women-in-Technology: $10,000 + research internship opportunities
- Palantir Women in Technology: $7,000 + exclusive recruiting events
- IBM PhD Fellowship: Up to $25,000 + research collaboration
| Award Range | Key Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Society of Women Engineers (SWE) | Multiple Scholarships | $1,000 - $15,000 | SWE member, 3.0+ GPA | February 15 |
| Women in Technology International (WITI) | Scholarship Program | $2,500 - $10,000 | Undergrad/grad women | March 31 |
| Association for Women in Computing | Ada Lovelace Award | $3,000 - $8,000 | CS/IT major, leadership | April 15 |
| National Society of Black Engineers | Women in Engineering | $1,500 - $5,000 | NSBE member, 3.2+ GPA | January 15 |
| IEEE Women in Engineering | IEEE WIE Scholarship | $2,000 - $10,000 | IEEE member, engineering | February 1 |
Professional Organization Awards
Professional organizations offer some of the most accessible scholarships for women in technology. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) alone awards over $800,000 annually across multiple scholarship programs.
SWE scholarships range from $1,000 for freshmen to $15,000 for graduate students, with specific awards for different engineering disciplines including computer engineering and information systems. Membership is typically required but costs only $50 annually for students.
IEEE Women in Engineering offers scholarships specifically for electrical and computer engineering students, with many recipients pursuing careers in cybersecurity or hardware engineering. The organization also provides valuable networking opportunities and technical conference access.
Corporate Scholarships
Highest funding amounts
Professional Organizations
Most accessible
University-Specific Scholarship Programs
Many universities offer internal scholarships specifically for women in STEM programs. These are often less competitive than national awards because they're limited to current students.
Schools with strong computer science programs typically have the most funding available. Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, MIT, and UC Berkeley each award hundreds of thousands annually in women-in-tech scholarships.
- Carnegie Mellon Women in CS: $5,000-15,000 annually
- Stanford Women in Engineering: $2,500-10,000
- MIT Women's Initiative: $3,000-8,000
- UC Berkeley EECS Women: $1,000-5,000
Check with your school's financial aid office and engineering/CS department. Many schools also participate in external programs like the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, which awards $37,000 annually for graduate study.
Scholarship Application Strategy
Start Early and Create a Master List
Begin researching scholarships 6-12 months before deadlines. Create a spreadsheet tracking amounts, deadlines, requirements, and application status for each opportunity.
Build a Strong Foundation Portfolio
Gather transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statement drafts, and project portfolios early. Most applications require similar materials, so prepare comprehensive versions you can customize.
Demonstrate Technical Skills and Leadership
Highlight programming projects, internships, research experience, and leadership roles. Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., 'Led team of 5 to build app used by 500+ students').
Tailor Each Application
Customize personal statements and essays for each scholarship's specific mission and values. Research the organization and reference their goals in your application.
Apply Broadly but Strategically
Apply to 8-12 scholarships across different categories (corporate, professional, university). Focus on scholarships where you strongly meet the criteria.
Follow Up and Express Gratitude
Send thank-you notes to all references and follow application instructions precisely. Many scholarships are lost due to incomplete applications or missed deadlines.
Common Scholarship Requirements and Eligibility
Most women-in-tech scholarships share similar basic requirements, though specific criteria vary by program.
- Minimum GPA: Typically 3.0-3.5, though some accept 2.5+
- Enrollment: Full-time in accredited STEM program
- Citizenship: Many require US citizenship or permanent residency
- Academic level: Some for undergraduates only, others include graduate students
- Field of study: Computer science, engineering, IT, data science, or related fields
- Leadership: Evidence of leadership in academics, work, or extracurriculars
Essays typically focus on career goals, overcoming challenges, and commitment to increasing women's participation in technology. Strong applications demonstrate both technical competence and leadership potential.
Letters of recommendation should come from professors, employers, or mentors who can speak to your technical abilities and potential. Choose recommenders who know your work well rather than those with impressive titles but limited knowledge of your capabilities.
Which Should You Choose?
- You have a high GPA (3.5+) and strong technical projects
- You're interested in internships at major tech companies
- You can dedicate significant time to competitive applications
- You're pursuing high-demand fields like AI or cybersecurity
- You have a moderate GPA (3.0-3.5) but strong leadership experience
- You're willing to join and participate in professional societies
- You value networking and professional development opportunities
- You're looking for renewable scholarship opportunities
- You're already enrolled at a school with strong STEM programs
- You have limited time for external applications
- You have strong relationships with faculty members
- You're involved in campus activities or research
Source: SWE Scholarship Analysis 2024
Scholarship Application Timeline and Deadlines
Most scholarship applications open in fall and have deadlines between January and April for the following academic year. Starting early is crucial for competitive applications.
- August-September: Research scholarships and join relevant professional organizations
- October-November: Request transcripts, begin personal statement drafts, identify recommenders
- December-January: Submit early deadline applications (Google, IBM, IEEE)
- February-March: Peak application season - most deadlines occur during this period
- April-May: Final applications due, begin following up on application status
- June-August: Award notifications typically sent, prepare for upcoming academic year
Create calendar reminders for key dates and aim to submit applications at least one week before deadlines. Late applications are rarely accepted, regardless of circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Aid Resources
Career Outcomes for Women in Tech
Top Degree Programs
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.