If you’re interested in a career in IT, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a wide and diverse field of job opportunities, including many leadership opportunities for higher-level positions. Securing these positions requires a balance of strong technical skills, work experience and solid educational background.

However, not every aspiring IT professional or leader has access to the same resources and opportunities to build those skills and experiences. For that reason, many organizations offer information technology scholarships and grants. If you’re pursuing an IT degree — whether a bachelor’s or master’s degree — you may be eligible for IT scholarships to help cover your expenses.

What Is a Technology Scholarship?

Scholarships are financial aid awards provided to students to help them pay for their education. Unlike loans, scholarships do not need to be repaid, so they’re a massive assistance for students who want to earn a degree with less debt. Aside from helping with tuition and other related costs, there are additional benefits to scholarships:

  • Because they are awarded on merit, scholarships highlight a student’s achievements, making them more likely to be accepted into academic programs.
  • Scholarships are often offered by organizations within the student’s desired job field, which can serve as an effective way to build industry connections and a network of contacts.
  • Earning a scholarship is, in itself, an achievement. Being able to list awarded scholarships on a resume will better distinguish a graduate from other job candidates.

Technology scholarships are specifically for IT students and are often offered by tech companies, professional IT associations, government organizations and nonprofit organizations interested in promoting STEM studies. Scholarships for information technology students will often have specific eligibility requirements, which can range from providing proof of financial need to committing to certain areas of study or academic programs.

How Do You Get an IT Scholarship?

Any organization that offers a scholarship opportunity will state the eligibility requirements, deadlines and materials to be submitted.

Eligibility Requirement. Scholarships may be awarded based on the applicant’s level of academic achievement, any extracurricular activities, community involvement, examples of leadership or other factors. Some scholarships are established to support groups that are underrepresented in IT, including women, Black, Latino/a and Indigenous professionals.

Deadlines. Some scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and open their application process at regular times of the year. Others are limited offerings and may only be available one time to a select group of candidates. In all cases, applicants will need to submit complete and accurate personal details and application materials before the deadline.

Application Materials. Every scholarship requires the submission of application materials, which may include:

  • Academic transcripts
  • Resume and/or curriculum vitae
  • Letters of recommendation
  • A personal statement or essay
  • Evidence of leadership, volunteering or extracurricular experience
  • Membership in a professional organization

How to Find IT Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for students, but they’re not always easy to find, and many have specific application requirements or limited timelines.

For those U.S. nationals or international students looking to study within the U.S. we recommend:

  • Using the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search tool to research potential scholarships, grants and funds related to areas of study in IT or technology.
  • Contacting the education agency of your state, territory or commonwealth to ask for information about available information technology scholarships and grants.

For U.S. and international students interested in studying abroad, we recommend:

College financial aid offices, such as The University of San Diego’s Student Center, will also connect students with scholarship opportunities.

You can also conduct an online search using key search terms related to information technology and similar studies. To help get you started, here is a list of 20 different IT scholarships for 2024 and beyond, that are offered by private enterprises, nonprofits and other organizations.

General IT Scholarships

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars: 3M Future Innovator STEM Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: Four $2,500 USD scholarships
  • Awarded to eligible NSCS members who will be pursuing a degree in a STEM field. Full details on the scholarship and how to apply are available by email from NSCS to its members.
  • Applicants must:
    • Have a declared major in and been accepted into a STEM program
    • Be a NSCS member
    • Have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • The application deadline is February 28, 2024.

Generation Google Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: $10,000 USD for those studying in the U.S.
  • Awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, demonstrated leadership and academic performance
  • Applicants must:
    • Be enrolled as full-time students in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university or college OR currently enrolled as high school seniors.
    • Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as full-time students in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university in the United States
    • Study computer science, computer engineering or a closely related technical field
    • Demonstrate a strong academic record
    • Demonstrate financial need
    • Exemplify leadership and demonstrate passion for improving representation of underrepresented groups in computer science and technology
  • The online application deadline ends in May or when the program receives 3,000 eligible applications.

Samsung@First Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: Up to $15,000 USD
  • Awarded to support scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians in the Silicon Valley area.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be undergraduates entering their sophomore, junior or senior year in the upcoming academic school year OR undergraduate seniors accepted into a master’s program OR current master’s students
    • Plan to enroll on a full-time basis (as defined by the program of study) in a California, public four-year college/university, with preference given to students enrolling in a school in the greater Bay Area
    • Have declared a major in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM); preference given to computer science and engineering (CISE) and engineering majors
    • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • The online application opens on December 1, 2023 with a deadline of March 29, 2024.

Western Digital STEM Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: Up to $5,000 USD with a lifetime maximum of two awards
  • Awarded to students transferring from a U.S. community college to a four-year university in pursuit of a STEM degree. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership in extracurricular and/or community activities, financial need and the overall quality of the application.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be current full-time undergraduate students attending a two-year community college in the U.S.
    • Plan to transfer to full-time enrollment at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. for the upcoming academic year (for which the scholarship will be applied)
    • Pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of Mathematics, Engineering or Science (not including agricultural, health or life sciences)
    • Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
    • Demonstrate financial need or hardship
  • The online application process opens in January, 2024.

Betty Stevens Frecknall Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: $2,000 USD
  • Awarded to full-time undergraduate university students pursuing an academic degree in an information technology field and have declared a computer science/CIS/MIS/IT major.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be declared computer science/CIS/MIS/IT majors with an overall and major GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
    • Have satisfactorily completed at least one full semester of college (12 semester hours or equivalent)
    • Be enrolled as full-time (12 semester hours or equivalent) undergraduate students at an accredited institution in the U.S.
    • Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • The online application process opens in January, 2024.

ISC2 Undergraduate/Associate & Graduate Scholarships

  • Scholarship amount: $1,000–$5,000 USD
  • Awarded to aspiring information security professionals pursuing a degree related to cybersecurity or information assurance.
  • Applicants must:
    • Must be pursuing, or plan to pursue, a degree with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance.
    • Have a GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale for the undergraduate/associate scholarship
    • Have a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the graduate scholarship
  • The online application process opens on January 15, 2024.

DoD SMART Scholarships

  • Scholarship amount: Full tuition to any U.S. accredited college or university and an annual stipend determined by degree level.
  • Awarded to undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students pursuing a STEM degree in disciplines that are critical to national security functions of the Department of Defense (DoD).
  • Applicants must:
    • Be citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or United Kingdom at time of application
    • Be 18 years of age or older as of August 1, 2024
    • Request at least one year of degree funding prior to graduation (which starts at the program start date)
    • Be able to complete at least one summer internship (multi-year scholars only)
    • Be willing to accept post-graduation employment with the DoD
    • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
    • Pursue a technical undergraduate or graduate degree in any of 24 specified STEM disciplines
  • The online application process is open August through December of every year, with awards being granted the following spring.

Scholarships for Women in IT

VIP Women in Technology Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: Up to $2,500 USD
  • Awarded to women pursuing a computer science, information technology or other IT‐related degree.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be female, college-bound students
    • Be enrolled at, or accepted into, either a two or four‐year college or university within the U.S.
    • Plan to pursue a career in computer science, information technology, management of information systems or another related field
  • The online application process opens on March 1st, 2024.

Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: $500 USD
  • Awarded to women who intend to enter a technical or non-technical career that leverages technology to make the world a better place. Preferences given to students involved in entrepreneurial endeavors and STEM fields.
  • Applicants must be:
    • Current high school or college students
    • Women
    • U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents
  • The next application process opens in 2024.

Truthfinder Scholarship for Women

  • Scholarship amount: $2,500 USD
  • Awarded to eligible female candidates enrolled in a STEM-related degree program.
  • Applicants must be:
    • Women currently enrolled in or attending a college or university (high school students may apply once they have been accepted and enrolled)
    • U.S. citizens or legal residents
    • Enrolled in a degree related to Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics
  • The next application process opens in 2024.

Dotcom-monitor Women in Computing

  • Scholarship amount: $1,000 USD
  • Awarded to eligible female undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in computing.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada
    • Have either already declared their major or have completed at least one academic year in computer science, computer engineering or a closely related technical field
  • The application deadline is April 1, 2024.

For women scholars looking to explore additional technical scholarship opportunities, we recommend engaging with organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers.

Identity-based IT Scholarships

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars: Minority Students in STEM

  • Scholarship amount: Three $2,500 USD scholarships
  • Awarded to eligible NSCS members who are of a minority group and will be pursuing a degree in a STEM field. Full details on the scholarship and how to apply are available by email from NSCS to its members.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be of a minority status
    • Have declared a major in and been accepted into a STEM program
    • Be NSCS members
    • Have a 3.0 GPA
  • The application deadline is February 28, 2024.

Silicon Valley Community Foundation: Latinos in Technology Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: Up to $6,000 USD (Up to $18,000 over three years)
  • Awarded to eligible third- and fourth-year undergraduate Latino/a students who have declared a major in a STEM-related field at a 4-year university.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be of Latino or Hispanic origin
    • Have a declared major in and been accepted into a STEM program
    • Be graduates of a high school or enrolled at a college/university within any of their 11 listed Northern California counties
    • Have a minimum cumulative college grade point average of 3.0
    • Demonstrate financial need
  • The application cycle for SVCF scholarships opens on December 1, 2023.

Google Lime Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: $10,000 USD for students with disabilities
  • Awarded to university students with disabilities working toward their academic goals in the field of computer science.
  • Applicants must:
    • Have, or consider themselves to have, a visible or invisible disability
    • Be currently enrolled as full-time students in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university or college
    • Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as full-time students in a bachelor’s program at an accredited university in the United States
    • Demonstrate a strong academic record
    • Be pursuing a degree in computer science, computer engineering or a degree in a closely related technical field
    • Exemplify leadership and demonstrate passion for computer science and technology
  • The online application process is open with a deadline of April 21, 2024.

Google Student Veterans of America Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: $10,000 USD for student veterans
  • Awarded to student veterans who are pursuing university degrees in the field of computer science.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be currently enrolled as undergraduates at a college or university
    • Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as full-time students at a university in the U.S.
    • Maintain a strong academic performance
    • Pursue a computer science or computer engineering degree, or a degree in a closely related technical field
    • Current student veterans (includes members of the National Guard or Reserve) as proven by a DD-214 and transcript, or students on Active Duty as proven by submission of Active Duty orders and a Memorandum of Understanding from their commanding officer indicating that they are currently in good standing with their unit and transcript
    • Have received an honorable discharge, or are in good standing with his/her branch of service
  • The next application process opens in 2024.

AISES Aristocrat Scholarship and Chevron Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: $2,500 USD for the Aristocrat scholarship; $5,000 USD per year for the Chevron scholarship
  • Awarded to enrolled members or descendants of an enrolled member of a federal- or state-recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village, Native Hawaiians or descendants from a Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders or descendants from Pacific Islander or Indigenous persons of Canada.
  • Applicants must be:
    • Pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Development, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain or related fields for the Aristocrat scholarship
    • Pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Geology, Geophysics, Petrophysics, Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or other related fields for the Chevron scholarship
    • Full-time high school seniors, undergraduate freshmen, undergraduate sophomores or undergraduate juniors enrolled at an accredited four-year college/university
    • U.S. citizens or permanent residents
    • Enrolled citizens or descendants of an enrolled citizen of a recognized Native tribe
  • The next application process for both scholarships opens in 2024.

Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

  • Scholarship amount: five $20,000 USD scholarships distributed over four years; 45 $2,500 USD one-time scholarships
  • Awarded to Black and African American students attending college and pursuing a career in technology.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be U.S.-based high school seniors of African descent (for example, African American, African, Ethiopian, etc.)
    • Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the U.S. in the fall immediately following high school graduation
    • Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems or select business programs (such as finance, business administration or marketing)
    • Demonstrate a passion for technology
    • Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community
    • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
    • Require financial assistance to attend college
  • The online application process opens on January 22, 2024.

Industry Specific IT Scholarships

Healthcare Information Management Systems Scholarships

  • Scholarship amount: two $5,000 USD scholarships to student members, one to an undergraduate and one to a graduate student.
  • Awarded to HIMSS Student Members in good standing and actively taking coursework related to the health information and technology or healthcare management systems fields.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be current HIMSS Student Members in good standing
    • Be actively taking coursework in an accredited undergraduate or master’s program related to the health information and technology or healthcare management systems fields
    • Not currently be employed by HIMSS, engaged in a consulting contract with any component of HIMSS or serving on the HIMSS Board of Directors or any HIMSS Advisory Boards.
  • The online application process opens in September 2024.

National Space Club and Foundation Keynote Scholars

  • Scholarship amount: two $15,000 USD scholarships to student members, one to an undergraduate and one to a graduate student.
  • Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students studying at an accredited educational institution in the United States, who have definite plans to pursue a career in the STEM fields.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be U.S. citizens
    • Have the intention of pursuing a career in a STEM field and plan to attend an accredited U.S. college or university to follow a course of study to pursue a career in the STEM field, with a preference for those with space-related interests
    • Not have previously spoken at the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner
  • The next online application process opens in 2024.

Important Information to Remember When Applying for Scholarships

Note that despite the length and details of this list, it is not comprehensive – there are many more scholarship opportunities available, some that are specific for working in certain fields, attending specific institutions or granted by organizations to student members.

General tips to keep in mind:

  • While grants are awarded based on need, scholarships are awarded more on the basis of merit. Your application will carry a lot of weight in making the case for your eligibility.
  • When applying for scholarships, be sure to check if you meet the listed criteria and that you are able to provide all required information. Also, be sure to get everything in before the deadline.
  • Always contact the financial aid department of the university you plan on attending to see if they have any specific IT scholarship recommendations.
  • If you’re a first-generation college student then you may also be eligible to receive assistance from support networks like College Greenlight.

You will have to apply for financial aid at the time you submit your application for admission to a program. Any and all students requesting any form of financial aid (like scholarships, fellowships or student employment) within the U.S. must submit applications for financial aid:

If you’re interested in attending the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership program, then you have assistance at your disposal. Contact the USD office of Tuition and Financial Aid for information on scholarships, loans and other forms of financial aid.

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