It is so important that growth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related fields continues to increase for students of all backgrounds, regardless of gender or race. The application of these fields have the power to revolutionize national and international industries, ultimately transforming the way our world operates.
Some of our world’s most revolutionary thinkers developed their foundation in applied engineering, such as Elon Musk, the CEO and lead designer of SpaceX and Tesla, or the CEO and founder of Google, Larry Page—minds who have influenced the way we live today. If you’re an undergraduate or graduate engineering student looking for ways to fund your college degree, use our guide to learn more about what it takes to become an engineer, and sort through over 80 engineering scholarships based on your specialization.
While working towards his Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the University of Michigan, Larry Page reverse-engineered the ink cartridge and built an inkjet printer made of LEGO® bricks. It wasn’t until his time at Stanford University where he began exploring mathematical properties of the World Wide Web, and where he met computer scientist, Sergey Brin. Together, they co-founded and developed a search engine they would later call “Google.”
“Optimism is important. You have to be a little silly about the goals you are going to set. There is a phrase I learned in college called, ‘having a healthy disregard for the impossible.’ That’s a really good phrase. You should try to do things that most people would not do.” — Larry Page, CEO of Google
Every success story starts with the drive and commitment to education to get there. Take the next step towards your career in applied engineering by reading our breakdown on how to become a licensed engineer.
The FE exam is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program. This is the first step towards becoming a professionally licensed engineer (PE).
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Engineering Experience
Once you’ve passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, you must complete at least four years of engineering experience before you can take your final exam towards an engineering license.
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Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam
Upon passing the PE exam and meeting any other eligibility requirements that may vary by state, an engineer can then become registered in their state to stamp and sign engineering drawings and calculations as a PE.
Types of Engineers
Mechanical: Applies engineering, physics, and materials science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems.
Civil: Deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings.
Chemical: Applies physical science and life science together with applied mathematics and economics to produce, transform, transport, and properly use chemicals, materials and energy.
Electrical: Deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Industrial: Deals with the optimization of complex processes, systems, or organizations.
Aerospace: The primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft.
Biomedical: Application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology for healthcare purposes.
Environmental: Uses scientific and technological principles to prevent or repair harm to the environment, complying with federal and local regulations in the process.
This site has information and connections for the global community of engineers. Find engineering games, videos, jobs, calculators, articles, and more.
Find free on-demand courses for students, job resources and checklists, exam preparation, and the opportunity to sign-up for NSPE’s student e-newsletter for weekly information and news.
A daily news site for scientists and engineers. This publication covers development and research in all STEM-related fields.
How to Pay for College
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Scholarships
There are hundreds of scholarships for engineering students, which are awarded by local organizations, private companies, societies and more.
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Grants
Grants don’t need to be paid back and are based on your financial circumstances. They are usually funded by the federal government, your state or college.
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Fellowships
While scholarships usually fund tuition, fellowships typically cover graduate study, research projects and abroad experiences without needing to be paid back.
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Student Loans
You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you need help, use our interactive guide to learn how to answer every question.
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Federal Work-Study Program
Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.
If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.
Not all scholarships are based off of your GPA, but most need to verify your high school education to qualify. Try to get certified copies of your transcript early, so you have plenty of time to meet the deadline.
Although there are scholarship opportunities that aren’t merit-based, it’s valuable to take the SAT or ACT standardized tests in case it’s a scholarship qualification.
Your scholarship essay is what will bring attention to your application out of the pool of applicants. That’s why it’s important to craft a stand out piece that attests to your experience, adheres to the scholarship guidelines and most importantly, highlights your true personality.
Letters of recommendation are a true judgement of your character—something that can’t be revealed through your test scores or transcript. Reach out to former teachers, counselors or bosses, so that they can speak to your qualifications. You may also want to provide them with a resume that outlines your achievements and goals as well.
Engineering Scholarships
Instructions: Click through the dropdowns below to sort by your engineering specialty, award amount and if you qualify for need-based aid.
Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Memorial Scholarships
Amount: $1,500
Deadline:
May 1, 2020
This scholarship is available to incoming female freshmen who are majoring in computer science or computer engineering. Applicant must have a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
Amount: $1,000-$15,000
Deadline:
May 1, 2020
The SWE Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to women pursuing a degree in engineering, technology or computer science at an ABET-accredited university. Students who are re-entering college after two or more years, part-time students and full-time students are eligible to apply.
Indiana Engineering Scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
May 1, 2020
Student must be an Indiana resident and be attending an Indiana educational institution or commute from Indiana to a college or university outside of the state. Applicant must have half the credits or credit hours required for an undergraduate EAC/ABET accredited engineering degree at the time of applying.
Ashrae Society Scholarship Program: Freshman Engineering
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
May 1, 2020
A one-year $5,000 scholarship available annually to a full-time undergraduate pre-engineering or engineering student entering their sophomore year of college and pursuing a Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree in a course of study that traditionally has been a preparatory curriculum for the HVAC&R profession.
Ashrae Society Scholarship Program: High School Senior
Amount: $3,000
Deadline:
May 2, 2020
Four one-year $3,000 scholarships are available to undergraduate students enrolled full-time in their first year of college in a pre-engineering, engineering, or engineering technology program leading to a bachelor’s degree in a course of study that traditionally has been a preparatory curriculum for the HVAC&R profession.
Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
June 1, 2020
This scholarship is for undergraduate students applicants seeking a degree and career in fields of study including engineering, management and other business-oriented fields. Applicant must be an American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group member or provide documentation of ancestry to possession of one-fourth degree Indian blood of a federally recognized tribe.
Cap Lathrop Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
June 1, 2020
The Cap Lathrop Scholarship is offered to Alaska Natives with preference given to descendants of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) who are majoring in broadcast, telecommunications, business, engineering, journalism, and other media-related fields.
John J. McKetta Undergraduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
June 15, 2020
This scholarship is awarded to a chemical engineering undergraduate student (incoming junior or senior only), who is planning a career in the chemical engineering process industries (CPI). Applicants must be AIChE student members at the time of the nomination and be entering their junior or senior of a 4 year program in Chemical Engineering or equivalent for a 5 year co-op program.
Women Forward in Technology
Amount: $10,000
Deadline:
June 15, 2020
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association awards one student this non-renewable scholarship to a student in their first year of law school. Students can register on the scholarship website to learn more about specific eligibility requirements.
Women Forward in Technology
Amount: $10,000
Deadline:
June 15, 2020
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association awards one student this non-renewable scholarship to a student in their first year of law school. Students can register on the scholarship website to learn more about specific eligibility requirements.
Buffered Scholarship for Women in STEM fields
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
July 1, 2020
The scholarship is available to all students who identify as women and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. All applicants must be currently pursuing, or plan to pursue, a degree with a focus on science, technology, engineering, or math.
Vectorworks Design Scholarship
Amount: $7,000
Deadline:
July 15, 2020
This scholarship opportunity is open to students with a design-oriented degree such as architecture or engineering. Must not have graduated any earlier than 2015 to be eligible.
The Virtix IT STEM Studies Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline:
July 31, 2020
One high school senior demonstrating academic achievement, financial need, and interest in STEM will be awarded with the scholarship. Must be attending school in the U.S. to apply.
Frederick A. Tarantino Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited university within the field of science or engineering. Must be within 2 years of earning a degree to apply.
James B. Willett Educational Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited university within the field of science or engineering. Must be within 2 years of earning a degree to apply.
John R. Sevier Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited university within the field of science or engineering. Must be within 2 year of earning a degree to apply.
Thomas R. McGetchin Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited university within the field of science or engineering. Must be within 2 years of earning a degree to apply.
Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation's Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
The scholarship awards financial aid to qualified students attending Florida colleges and universities who are interested in pursuing stormwater research, management or finance. Graduate student applicants in colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, public administration (or closely related fields) are eligible to apply.
Thomas R. McGetchin Memorial Scholarship Award
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited college or university that offers courses leading to a degree in science or engineering. Applicants must be within two (2) years of earning a B.S. or a B.A. in a field of science and engineering.
John R. Sevier Memorial Scholarship Award
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited college or university that offers courses leading to a degree in science or engineering. Applicants must be within two (2) years of earning a B.S. or a B.A. in a field of science and engineering.
James B. Willett Educational Memorial Scholarship Award
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited college or university that offers courses leading to a degree in science or engineering. Applicants must be within two (2) years of earning a B.S. or a B.A. in a field of science and engineering.
Frederick A. Tarantino Memorial Scholarship Award
Amount: $5,001
Deadline:
August 7, 2020
Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year accredited college or university that offers courses leading to a degree in science or engineering. Applicants must be within two (2) years of earning a B.S. or a B.A. in a field of science and engineering.
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
August 25, 2020
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students who desire to teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at the K-12 level.
Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize
Amount: $250 - $1,000
Deadline:
October 1, 2020
Awards are given to current female undergraduate candidates who excel in mathematics and are pursuing a career in mathematics. Candidates can be freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors at the time of their application.
Olin E. Teague Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
Deadline:
October 9, 2020
This annual scholarship will be awarded to graduating high school seniors at an accredited U.S. high school interested in pursuing a career in the aerospace field. Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
Association for Iron & Steel Technology Scholarships
Amount: $6,000
Deadline:
October 31, 2020
AIST sponsors this scholarship for a paid summer internship including a one-year non-renewable scholarship. Students must be enrolled full-time in a four-year undergraduate program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Women in Aviation International Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
November 12, 2020
Scholarship awards for Women in Aviation International will be based on students recommendation letters, essays, and resume demonstrating aviation history and goals.
Young Innovators to Watch Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:
November 22, 2020
The Young Innovators to Watch awards individual students or small teams under 20 students, for developing projects that demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation in technical or scientific contexts. Winners will be flown to CES in Las Vegas for an awards ceremony.
The Science Ambassador Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
December 1, 2020
A full tuition scholarship is awarded to a woman seeking an undergraduate degree in engineering, science or math, funded by Cards Against Humanity. A video is necessary for entry and candidates must be attending college next academic year to be eligible.
Civil Air Patrol School-Specific Scholarships
Amount: varies
Deadline:
December 31, 2020
The Civic Air Patrol Scholarship distributes this opportunity to students interested in aerospace engineering. Must be a CAP cadet and earn the Billy Mitchell Award to apply.
DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
Amount: up to $31,200
Deadline:
January 15, 2021
This fellowship program is funded by the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Must provide references towards your program of study, transcripts, and the comprehensive online application to be considered.
AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
January 15, 2021
Students must be within one year of completing a degree in any science related field. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
