Engineering continues to be a highly in-demand career, with job growth over the next 10 years predicted to be faster than than the average for all occupations. It’s expected that the U.S alone will need 400,000 new engineers to enter the workforce every year, and yet there’s a skills gap for many engineers that is threatening to keep many positions unfilled.
With the need for qualified, educated engineers constantly growing, what’s causing the skills shortage? Unfortunately, one of the major reasons is that educational resources and opportunities are not equitable, and so not every aspiring engineer has the same access to education to refine their skills or learn from and collaborate with other professionals. Scholarships are one way that more opportunities are offered to a greater number of engineering students.
The Importance of Engineering Scholarships
Higher education can be a heavy financial investment, especially for engineers from lower-income families. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition and fees for a graduate degree is $20,513. Though the amount you’ll actually pay for your degree depends on factors such as where you enroll, the degree program you choose and other expenses such as housing. As a result, graduates with a Master’s degree are estimated to take on an average of $46,798 in student loan debt.
Some of that additional cost can be mitigated depending on the program. For example, the University of San Diego’s fully online Master of Science in Engineering Management and Leadership degree costs $27,750 to complete within just five semesters — without the cost of housing.
That’s why, for many students, scholarships are essential resources for affording tuition and other expenses without taking on heavy debts. Many organizations, understanding the importance of having trained and skilled engineers in the workforce, provide engineering scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students.
Scholarships are actually one of the best forms of financial aid for students, as there is no need to pay them back and they can also provide other helpful benefits, including:
- A way to highlight academic achievements when applying to engineering programs
- Additional qualifications to include on a resume when applying for jobs
- The opportunity to build a network of contacts to rely on for assistance
How to Find Engineering Scholarships
Engineering scholarships are highly desirable, but they’re also limited in availability and can be highly competitive. They all vary greatly, with some requiring that you study in specific fields, others limited to students in specific geographic locations and some are only available to members of a specific society or organization.
When starting your search, it helps to think of scholarships as belonging to one of three larger categories:
- Need-based scholarships are awarded based on a student’s financial situation, and are intended to help those who may not be able to afford tuition without assistance. These are awarded based on factors such as family income and assets and may require submission of a Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.
- Specialized scholarships target specific groups or interests, and are often intended to assist certain underrepresented or underserved demographic groups. In engineering this includes women as well as minority populations, including Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic American and Native/American Indian. These scholarships may include merit- or need-based criteria, but are mainly intended to serve specific areas or populations.
- Merit-based scholarships are given for academic achievements, leadership or talents, regardless of financial need. High GPAs and test scores, completion of special projects or extracurricular activities can make students eligible. Even if you aren’t able to demonstrate financial need or are a member of an underrepresented group, you are still able to qualify for merit-based engineering scholarships.
There are hundreds of scholarships available, and many are only available in a limited window of time. To save time, consider your own situation as that will help determine which categories you should focus on. Once you know which kind of scholarships to prioritize, consider these tips during your search:
- Whether you’re looking at colleges or already enrolled, you’ll want to check with the office of financial aid to see what resources they have available. They may have scholarships available for your course of study, but at the very least they can provide you with assistance in your search.
- Research professional engineering organizations to find additional scholarship opportunities. There are many STEM organizations and agencies that offer scholarships for students, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
- Always thoroughly read the eligibility requirements for scholarships. Applications often require the submission of different supplementary information such as essays, letters of intent, recommendations and school transcripts — some of which will take additional time to write and request. Check the due dates so you’ll know how long you have to gather what you need.
- Network with the people you know and ask about potential scholarship opportunities. Contact peers in your field, talk with mentors or reach out to alumni from your intended program and ask for assistance. Even if they can’t point you toward specific scholarship opportunities, they may be able to put you in contact with someone who can, or provide you with letters of recommendation.
- Consider fellowships as a possible source of funding. Some scholarships can come with stipulations on how you can use the funds, but fellowship funding is usually discretionary, allowing you to use it wherever it’s needed. Certain fellowships may also include additional benefits, such as a living stipend.
Top Scholarships and Fellowships for Engineering Students
To help you with your search for the best engineering scholarships, we looked for the top scholarship and fellowship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Here are our recommendations*, in alphabetical order.
Best engineering scholarships for high school graduates entering college
- ASHRAE Society Scholarship Program
Engineering Technology Scholarships
Award amount: $5,000 – $10,000
Application deadline: December 1
The ASHRAE Society offers several annual scholarships for students interested in the HVAC and/or refrigeration profession. The five Engineering Technology scholarships require a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA and that the intended program meets set criteria. - Asian-American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarships
Award amount: $5,000
Application deadline: May 31
The Asian-American Architects and Engineers Foundation offers scholarships to full-time students pursuing a career in architecture, engineering or construction industries, are student members of AAa/e and have demonstrated a measurable level of involvement or service to the Asian-Pacific Islander community. - Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Award amount: Up to $15,000
Nomination deadline: March 29
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to STEM majors going into their junior or senior year and who intend to pursue research or advance their field after graduation. Eligible applications must be nominated by faculty at an ASF affiliated university or institution. - The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
Award amount: Up to $7,500
Application deadline: Last Friday in January Established by the U.S. Congress in 1986, the Goldwater Scholarship is annually awarded to students attending accredited 2- or 4-year U.S. academic institutions and intend to pursue a research career in natural science, mathematics or engineering. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be nominated by a foundation identified Goldwater Campus Representative. - Donald and Barbara Mozley Scholarship
Award amount: $5,000
Application deadline: End of February Established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to support students pursuing degrees in engineering, the Donald and Barbara Mozley Scholarship provides financial support for students pursuing an engineering degree at an ABET-accredited college or university. Upperclassman applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, while incoming freshmen need an unweighted 3.50 high school GPA. - Edward D. Hendrickson/SAE Engineering Scholarship
Award amount: $5,000
Application deadline: End of February Also established by SAE International, the Edward D. Hendrickson/SAE Engineering Scholarship is intended for engineering students interested in pursuing a career in the commercial vehicle industry. Applicants must be pursuing an engineering degree at an ABET-accredited college or university and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. - Maureen L. & Howard N. Blitman, P.E., Scholarship
Award amount: $5,000
Application deadline: April
Intended to promote diversity in engineering, the The Maureen L. and Howard N. Blitman, P.E., Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior from an ethnic minority (African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Islander) who has been accepted into an ABET-accredited engineering program at a four-year college or university. - Steinman Scholarship
Award amount: $5,000
Application deadline: April This engineering scholarship from the National Society of Professional Engineers is awarded annually to undergraduates entering or continuing their junior year in a four-year ABET-accredited engineering program. Applicants are evaluated based on their GPA, involvement in internships or other relevant activities, an ethics essay and must also receive two faculty recommendation letters. - UNCF Sprout Social Scholarship Program
Award amount: $10,750
Application deadline: September
The UNCF offers a variety of scholarships to African American high school students, including scholarships specifically for students planning to pursue careers in STEM. The Sprout Social Scholarship is just one of the STEM scholarship opportunities provided by UNCF. See each individual scholarship page for more information on award amounts, deadlines and application requirements. - Yanmar/SAE Scholarship
Award amount: $1,000 (possibly up to $2,000 with renewal)
Application deadline: February Established by the SAE Foundation, the Yanmar scholarship is for incoming college senior or graduate students pursuing the study or research of the conservation of energy in transportation, agriculture and construction and power generation. Applicants must be U.S residents and attend a U.S. ABET accredited program.
Best engineering scholarships for college graduates earning a master’s degree
- GEM Fellowship Program
Award amount: Minimum $16,000 total stipend for Master’s program
Application deadline: September The National GEM Consortium is to enhance the value of the nation’s human capital by increasing the participation of underrepresented groups (African Americans, American Indians and Hispanic Americans) at the master’s and doctoral levels. Applicants must be a senior, or graduate of an accredited engineering or computer science program at the time of application, have a minimum 2.8 GPA and contractually agree to intern for two summers with sponsoring GEM Employer. - National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program
Award amount: Full Tuition, required fees, $3,600 monthly stipend
Application deadline: November Offered by the U.S. Department of Defense, this fellowship is intended to promote education in science and engineering disciplines relevant to the Defense mission of the U.S. Applicants should be U.S. citizens, Nationals or dual citizens at or near the beginning of their graduate study in science or engineering. - NSPE Education Foundation George B. Hightower, P.E. Fellowship
Award amount: $3,000
Application deadline: April The National Society of Professional Engineers awards an annual scholarship to an engineering undergraduate or graduate student who is currently enrolled in, or is a graduate from, an ABET-accredited engineering program, is an NSPE member/student member and meets the required evaluation criteria. - Sierra Nevada Corporation Women in STEM Scholarship
Award amount: $7,500
Application deadline: January The Sierra Nevada Corporation Women in STEM scholarship program is designed to encourage women to pursue careers in non-medical, STEM-related fields. Applicants must enroll in part-time or full-time undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited four-year college or university and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. - Society of Women Engineers Scholarships
Award amount: Varies
Application deadline: Varies To support its mission of giving women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering industry, the Society of Women Engineers provides a variety of scholarships. Qualifying undergraduate and graduate students are selected based on academic achievements as well as their participation in extracurricular/volunteer activities and interest in engineering. Interested applicants can submit a single application and be eligible for all relevant scholarships. - Structural Engineering Fellowship
Award amount: $20,000
Application deadline: March The SOM Foundation created the Structural Engineering Fellowship to support research in and influence the practice of how structures can positively impact the built environment. Applicants must be graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in civil and environmental engineering or architectural engineering with a specialization in structural engineering. - William A. Lewis Scholarship
Award amount: $2,000
Application deadline: November Intended to honor the legacy of William A. Lewis, this scholarship supports underrepresented students interested in pursuing careers in mathematics or other STEM fields. Any BIPOC interested in attending a Historically Black College or University as an undergraduate or graduate student to pursue a STEM degree may apply for this scholarship. - IEEE Charles LeGeyt Fortescue Scholarship
Award amount: Up to $24,000
Application deadline: May The IEEE organization annually awards a fellowship to cover one year of full-time graduate work in electrical engineering at a U.S. engineering school of recognized standing. The scholarship is awarded to a full-time, first-year graduate student pursuing a full-time master’s degree program in electrical engineering. - Marjorie Roy Rothermel Scholarship
Award amount: $2,000
Application deadline: March
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers awards a scholarship to a student working toward a Master’s Degree in Engineering. Applicants must be enrolled in a mechanical engineering program and priority may be given to students who demonstrate strong leadership roles and participation in ASME extracurricular activities.
See our post on the Top 6 Scholarships for Engineering Graduate Students for more information on other scholarships for master’s students, including:
- ASCE Fellowships
- ASME Scholarships
- Fulbright Scholarship
- The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
This list is only intended to highlight a broad list of scholarships and is not exhaustive. If you’re looking for additional engineering scholarship opportunities you can also take advantage of online resources such as Scholarships.com, College Scholarships.org or the College Board’s Scholarship Search.
* Scholarship information was retrieved in September 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re interested in enrolling in the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Engineering Management and Leadership program, financing is available. Contact the USD office of financial aid for more information about your options.
