Do you have the brains and passion to become an engineer but worry about the cost of the education? You're not alone. Fortunately, you can offset some of these costs by applying for scholarships that can help you pay for college.
The following list of scholarships will show you that you have nothing to fear. Students of all backgrounds will find that there's an engineering scholarship out there that can help make their education more affordable.
In this article, we'll cover many of the prominent engineering scholarships, as well as others that you might not have heard of before. Read on to see what engineering scholarships you might be eligible for!
Engineering is one of the most popular majors in the United States. In fact, about 160,742 students earned a degree in an engineering field in 2019, and that number is only expected to grow.
It's not surprising that students are seeking out engineering degrees: not only can a degree in engineering lead you to a high-paying job after graduation, but it can also help place you and the country at the forefront of technological innovation. Because of this, there are many engineering scholarships available, sponsored both by private organizations and the national government.
The scholarships on this list are aimed at graduating high school seniors and college undergraduates. They are also primarily aimed at US citizens or permanent residents, and are open to almost all students studying engineering in accredited programs, with the main restrictions being location and grade level.
We've divided up these engineering scholarships into the following categories:
One quick note: there are many other engineering scholarships available that are specifically targeted at underrepresented groups in this field, such as women, minorities, and international students than the few that appear on this list.
We've tried to keep our list as general as possible, but if you're part of one of these groups, be sure to search for additional scholarships you might qualify for.
For the purposes of this article, we're focusing on a list of broader scholarships that are open to a larger proportion of students. As such, this list is not comprehensive. There are hundreds of engineering and STEM scholarships out there! If you still don't see one on this list that seems right for you, don't despair. Try searching online for what you're looking for—there's a good chance it's out there!
Scholarships are listed in alphabetical order. We've tried to include the pertinent details for each scholarship to make them more searchable. Simply use your keyboard's ctrl + f function, and then type in the search term you're looking for.
Let's say you're planning to major in electrical engineering and want to apply for scholarships in that particular field. If you search for "electrical" using ctrl + f, you'll be able to find what you are looking for much more quickly.
Also, we've selected a mix of scholarships for both high school seniors and current college students. If a scholarship is open to high school students, it'll be marked with an asterisk (*). That way you can tell if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria at a glance!
These scholarships generally require you to be majoring in engineering or a related field, such as information technology, but they do not stipulate a specific field. As long as you're majoring in some sort of engineering, you can apply!
This scholarship, which focuses on cost engineering and cost management, varies in amount from year to year, with a maximum award of $2,500, and is open to US and international students.
Eligible applicants must be full-time students at an accredited university, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, and be majoring in building construction, construction management, business administration, quantity surveying, or engineering.
The scholarship program has been temporarily suspended.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) awards several scholarships to students studying engineering degrees that could lead to work in the heating, air conditioning, ventilation, or refrigeration fields.
To be eligible, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be in the top 30% of your class, and be enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited engineering program. Top applicants will plan on entering the HVAC&R field (though you aren't tied to going into HVAC&R if you get a scholarship), excellence in both character and leadership, and financial need.
This year, more than 50 scholarships are available through ASHRAE. Note that specific scholarships might have additional eligibility criteria, so be sure to read each description carefully.
You must be majoring in engineering, natural or applied sciences, or math, and plan to do research after graduation in order to be eligible for this $15,000 award, which up to 50 students win every year.
Ideal applicants will have excellent grades and will have completed ample lab work and research; they should also show initiative, creativity, and excellence in their field of choice. Note that you do not have to be pursuing a career as an astronaut to be eligible. You do, however, have to be attending one of these 40 participating colleges, and you must be majoring in one of these STEM Designated Degrees.
At least one award of $5,000 will be given to an undergraduate student entering her junior year. Eligible students must be female, a US resident, an NSPE Student Member, and enrolled in a four-year engineering program. Along with a completed application, students must submit a resume, two faculty recommendations, a transcript, and a short essay.
Up to seven awards of $5,000 per year will be granted, and while students can win this award more than once, you'll have to apply again each year in order to get it. The scholarship is open to high school seniors and college students of all levels pursuing degrees in engineering.
In your application, you must outline participation in a STEM activity in or out of school OR outline involvement as a STEM mentor/volunteer and what was gained from the experience. You must also be able to show financial need through a completed FAFSA form and submit a letter of recommendation.
One student will be awarded $5,000 every year , and the prize is renewable for one additional year for a total of $10,000 in funding. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a US resident with at least a 3.75 GPA and actively engage in a STEP activity in or outside of school. In addition, you have to be pursuing an engineering or related science degree in an accredited program.
This scholarship awards one student $1,000 per year, which is renewable for up to three years (for a total of $4,000). Applicants must be pursuing an engineering degree at an accredited school and have at least a 3.75 GPA and serve in a leadership role in or outside of school that will benefit them in their future career.
Winners of this award receive $5,000 toward their freshman year of college (divided into two $2,500 disbursements: one in the fall and one in the spring). To be eligible, you need to be a member of an underrepresented ethnic minority (African-American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, or Native American) and entering an ABET-accredited engineering program at a four-year university.
Beyond completing the application, students must submit their ACT/SAT test scores, a high school transcript, a resume, and two letters of recommendation (note that 2022 applicants will not be required to submit test scores).
$5,000 will be given to a student who is a legal resident of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, or Wyoming. You must be pursuing a degree in engineering or a mining-related field and have an interest in Western coal as a career path.
One $5,000 award is given every year. High school seniors who have a 3.0 GPA or above are eligible to apply. You should be planning to pursue a bachelor's or associate degree in engineering or technology through an accredited program.
Additionally, you must be a student in a Ford Next Generation Learning Community and/or a Powered by Ford STEAM Academy.
Several $1,000 scholarships will be given out each year. College students who are engineering majors at an ABET-accredited institution and active SAE members can apply for this award. Award decisions are based purely on how much support you've given to SAE and its programs.
The Steinman Scholarship is a $5,000 prize awarded to undergraduates entering their junior year. Applicants must be US citizens and have a high GPA and internship experience.
To apply, students are required to submit a completed application form, a resume of activities and experience, two recommendation letters (more is better), a transcript, and a 500-word essay on the importance of ethics in engineering.
Seven scholarships of $1,500 will be given to high school seniors entering their first year of college. Eligible applicants will be US residents who have a 3.75 GPA or higher and will be pursuing degrees in engineering or a related science.
This scholarship is the joint effort of The Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations and SAE. One award of $1,500 will be granted every year. Applicants must be US residents with a GPA of at least 3.25 and evidence of some type of hands-on automotive experience or activity in areas such as rebuilding engines, working on cars or trucks, tractor repair, working with drones, robotics, or coding.
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) hands out 500 prizes a year to African-American students who plan to major in a STEM field, which includes engineering. Award amounts vary depending on class year:
Additionally, all winners receive academic mentoring and a $5,000 stipend to go toward a STEM-related project or internship.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be African-American and a US citizen, have at least a 3.0 GPA, have pursued a rigorous course of study with many math and science classes, and have demonstrated financial need.
This scholarship program is intended to help West Virginia students pursue careers in engineering. The number of awards and award amount vary from year to year, though awards will not exceed $3,000.
You should have a GPA of at least 3.0 from high school or your first two semesters in college and be enrolled or planning to enroll in an engineering or science program. Winners must agree to work full-time or participate in community service related to engineering in West Virginia for at least one year per number of years they receive the award.
This scholarship grants one award of $1,000 (renewable for one additional year). Eligible students are incoming college seniors or graduate students who are getting an engineering degree and taking courses related to the conservation of energy in transportation, agriculture, construction, and power generation.
The program is particularly interested in students who are researching internal combustion engines. Applicants will be judged on their academic performance, areas of study and research, past awards, and leadership.
These next scholarships are specifically for students who are getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Be aware that every American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) scholarship requires that applicants are student members of the organization.
This $1,500 scholarship is for a college student and ASME member who is interested in the oil and gas industry. Applicants will be judged based on academic ability and the potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering profession. Preference will be given to students who are enrolled at Villanova University.
This scholarship of $4,000 is given to college-level ASME members for study in the junior or senior year. Students will be evaluated on their academic achievements and their potential to make contributions to the field of mechanical engineering. Preference will be given to students studying in the following states:
Applicants should also have an interest in the field of power engineering.
This $3,000 scholarship is for a college student and ASME member who is especially interested in fuels, combustion, or the power industry. Applicants will be judged on financial need, academic ability, and the potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering profession.
One prize of $5,500 will be awarded every year. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.5 (3.0 for upperclassmen) and be pursuing a mechanical engineering or related science degree.
For the application, you need to include a completed FAFSA form, two letters of recommendation, and demonstrate leadership skills in or outside of school. Note that preference will be given to students attending Kettering University.
Up to two awards of $2,000 each will be given to college-level ASME members who study in the United States. Applicants will be judged based on character, integrity, leadership, academic ability, and the potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering profession.
This $3,000 scholarship goes to a junior or senior college student and ASME member. Students will be judged based on leadership, integrity, character, financial need, academic ability, and the potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering profession.
Up to two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to mechanical engineering college students who demonstrate financial need; other selection criteria includes leadership ability, academic success, and potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering field.
Up to five awards of $5,000 each will be given to college students who are US citizens and pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. Applicants will be judged on academic ability, financial need, character, leadership skills, and potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering profession.
This $3,000 scholarship is for a college student and ASME member who attends one of the following universities:
Applicants will be judged based on academic ability, leadership, integrity, character, and the potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering profession.
This $13,000 scholarship is awarded to one mechanical engineering college student. All applicants must be members of ASME and will be judged on their grades, character, leadership, integrity, and potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering profession.
This $8,000 scholarship will be given to one mechanical engineering college student. Applicants are evaluated based on their financial need, leadership ability, academic achievement, and potential to contribute to the mechanical engineering field.
One $1,000 award is given out every year by the SAE Noise & Vibration Conference . College juniors who are studying mechanical engineering or an automotive-related engineering discipline can apply for this scholarship. This program looks for students who show interest in areas related to noise and vibration, such as statics, dynamics, vibration, and physics.
This annual $3,000 scholarship is for ASME members who attend a public college or university in one of the following states:
Students need to have at least a 3.0 GPA and must be a US citizen. Strong applicants will be active members of ASME.
The following ASME scholarships all give out up to two awards of $3,000 each per year:
These scholarships are for ASME college students and are meant to help fund their final year of study.
This $3,000 scholarship is granted to one mechanical engineering college student every year. All applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be members of ASME. Additionally, you should be attending a college in California, Hawaii, or Nevada, and have a special interest in product design and development.
These scholarships are specifically for students interested in pursuing a career in civil engineering. As above, many of these scholarships require you to be a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
College students who are enrolled in a civil engineering or related program and who are members of an ASCE Student Chapter can apply for this award, whose amount varies annually. You'll have to submit a completed application form, a personal statement, a detailed annual budget, an official transcript, a resume, and at least two letters of recommendation.
This scholarship, which is usually around $3,000 but varies each year, is available to college students who are enrolled in a civil engineering degree program and interested in bridge design and construction.
You'll have to fill out an application, write a statement detailing your interest in bridge design or construction, and draft an annual budget; you must also submit official transcripts, a resume, and a minimum of two letters of recommendation.
A maximum of two awards of varying amounts will be given to college students who are focusing on water supply or environmental engineering in their studies. Though this scholarship is not renewable, you may apply for and win it more than once. To be eligible, you must be majoring in civil engineering and be a member of ASCE.
You will need to submit an application form; a personal statement that details why you should receive the scholarship, your financial need, and your plans for your education; an essay on how civil engineering can improve the environment; official transcripts; a resume; and at least two letters of recommendation.
The amount of this award varies annually, and while it's not renewable, you can apply and win the award more than once. All applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate civil engineering program, be a student member of ASCE, and be in good standing.
You will have to submit a completed application form, along with a personal essay about why you want to become a civil engineer and how you have participated in ASCE. Other required forms include a detailed annual budget, official transcripts, a resume, and at least two recommendation letters.
Another scholarship open to college students majoring in civil engineering, this award amount varies from year to year, and is not renewable. One award is granted per year.
You will need to submit an application form, a 500-word essay on your long-term goals and why you want to become a civil engineer, a detailed annual budget, transcripts, a resume, and two recommendation letters.
This scholarship is awarded annually to a maximum of 12 college students pursuing a degree in civil engineering. The award amount varies each year. You must be a member of good standing at your local ASCE Student Chapter.
To apply, you'll have to submit an application form, a personal statement about why you deserve the award and your plans for your education, a brief financial statement about how you'll finance your education should you get the award, an official transcript, a resume, and at least two letters of recommendation.
If aerospace engineering is more your thing, read on to see some of the best scholarships geared toward aerospace engineering majors.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) awards several scholarships every year to college students who have done at least one semester of study in aerospace engineering or a related science. Applicants must have a 3.3 GPA or higher, be an AIAA student member, be enrolled at a US college or university, and plan to enter a career that's part of the AAIA. Awards are not renewable, but students may apply for and win these scholarships multiple times.
Students will be judged on their academic achievements, career goals (assessed in an essay of 500 to 1,000 words), three recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities.
Keep in mind that some of the scholarships have additional requirements, which you can find here. Below are all individual scholarships' award amounts for undergraduate scholarships (listed from highest amount to lowest):
Several awards (up to $6,000 apiece) are given out each year. This scholarship is for college students who are interested in a career in aircraft engineering. While this award is not renewable, you can win it once as an undergraduate, once as a master's student, and once as a doctoral student.
To apply, you must complete an application form; write a personal statement about your interest in aeronautics, astronautics, or complex aviation systems; and send in a resume, a transcript, and at least one letter of recommendation.
If you're interested in nuclear engineering, these scholarships are for you! Note that all undergrad American Nuclear Society (ANS) applications must be sponsored by a faculty advisor of an ANS Student Section or Alpha Nu Sigma Chapter.
Four awards of $1,000 are given out every year. This scholarship is specifically for high school seniors who will be enrolling full-time in a STEM program in college with a focus on nuclear science and technology. Consideration criteria includes your academic record, freshman courses you've chosen to take, letters of recommendation, and a 500-word essay.
Each year, ANS awards four $2,000 scholarships to nuclear science or nuclear engineering college students. To be eligible, you must have completed at least two years of a nuclear science or nuclear engineering degree.
One $2,000 award is handed out annually. This scholarship program targets students who are on their way to earning an associate degree and who are committed to pursuing a career in the nuclear power industry. Applicants must also be participants in the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program.
Up to four awards of $2,500 each are given out annually to two-year community college or trade school students who demonstrate greater-than-average financial need and plan to pursue a career in nuclear science or nuclear engineering. Special consideration is given to socioeconomically disadvantaged students.
The American Nuclear Society offers a variety of other undergraduate scholarships with awards varying from $2,000 to $3,000. In order to apply for these awards, you'll need to fill out the ANS general application, then complete a second application for each specific scholarship. Here are the scholarships available:
Interested in getting a head start on some computer engineering before college? Learn about what the JavaScript TypeOf Function is and how it works in our guide.
Make sure that you stay on top of your high school GPA while taking rigorous classes so you can be considered for these great scholarships! You should also know how you can get a very high score on the SAT and ACT.
Want more scholarship resources? Check out our list of full-ride scholarships for more ideas on how to fund your college education.
