Best US Scholarships For Engineering Students

Top University-Sponsored Engineering Scholarships

1. MIT School of Engineering Scholarships

• MIT Presidential Graduate Fellowship: Offers full tuition + stipend (~$45,000/year) for exceptional graduate students across disciplines.

• Undergraduate Student Aid: Need-based financial aid covers up to 100% of MIT student costs. Merit scholarships are rare, but STEM achievement enhances eligibility.

• Why it matters: MIT ranks #1 globally in engineering, and their financial aid policies allow admitted students to attend regardless of wealth.

2. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars

• Provides up to $140,000 for graduate study (4 years), plus leadership development and summer internships.

• Ideal for engineers with leadership vision; past recipients come from mechanical, electrical, and bioengineering backgrounds.

3. UC Berkeley Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarships

• Full‑ride scholarships awarded to the top 1–2% of applicants.

• Especially strong for majors in mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering.

• Recipients often graduate debt-free and enter top-tier research and industry roles.

4. Georgia Tech President’s and Provost’s Scholarships

• Merit-based awards valued at $5,000–$12,000 per year.

• Renewable for up to 4 years for incoming engineering freshmen.

• Georgia Tech is a public Ivy for engineering and a hub for research and internships, especially in aerospace and cybersecurity.

5. University of Michigan (North Campus)

• Engineering Rising Star Award provides up to $10,000 per year for female, underrepresented minority, or first-generation scholars.

• Engineering Honors Scholarships reward academic excellence with up to $15,000 annually.

Industry-Funded & Professional Organization Scholarships

1. IEEE Foundation Scholarships

• IEEE continues to fund numerous undergraduate and graduate scholarships, including:

  • IEEE Power & Energy Society Scholar Award ($2,000)

  • Stella P. Lupini Scholarship for Women ($2,000)

• Applicants must be enrolled in EE, CE, or related engineering programs with required GPAs.

2. ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Scholarships

• ASME awards scholarships ranging from $2,000–$10,000 annually to senior mechanical engineering students.

• Applicants are evaluated on GPA, leadership, essays, and recommendations.

3. Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

• SWE offers hundreds of scholarship awards ranging from $2,000 to $50,000.

• Scholarships support women pursuing ABET-accredited engineering, engineering tech, or computing programs.

• Crucial for increasing gender equity in the STEM pipeline.

4. Google Scholarship Programs

• Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Encourages women in computing and tech.

• Google Lime Scholarship: Supports students with disabilities pursuing CS or engineering.

5. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program

• Provides up to $60,000 for tuition, fees, and living expenses for students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing research careers in biomedical/biomedical engineering.

Application Tips for University & Industry Scholarships

1. Start Early: Deadlines often fall in late fall or early spring before enrollment.

2. Tailor Your Essays: Highlight leadership, impact, and academic passion.

3. Secure Strong Recommendations: Ask mentors early; share your resume and goals.

4. Show Commitment to Your Field: Participating in research, internships, and projects improves candidacy.

5. Participate in Competitions: Events like innovation challenges and hackathons can enhance your profile.

Scholarships for Minority and Underrepresented Engineering Students

Many scholarship providers in the U.S. aim to increase diversity in STEM by supporting African American, Latino, Native American, first-generation, women, and disabled students. These awards often include financial support, mentorship, and access to internships or fellowships.

1. National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) Scholarships

• Award: Up to $16,000 for undergraduate engineering students.

• Eligibility: African American, Hispanic, and Native American students enrolled in NACME partner institutions.

• Bonus: NACME Scholars get access to exclusive internship pipelines and career support.

🔗 More: https://www.nacme.org

2. Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

• Award: Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000.

• Eligibility: Hispanic heritage, minimum 2.5 GPA, U.S. citizen/permanent resident/DACA recipient.

• Field: Open to various majors, with strong support for STEM students.

🔗 More: https://www.hsf.net

3. American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Scholarships

• Award: Varies by program; some up to $10,000 annually.

• Eligibility: Must be an enrolled member or descendant of a federally recognized tribe.

• Support: Includes leadership programs, annual conferences, and mentorship.

🔗 More: https://www.aises.org

4. UNCF STEM Scholars Program

• Award: Up to $25,000 over 5 years, plus internships and networking.

• Eligibility: African American students entering STEM majors with high GPAs and leadership potential.

• Benefits: This program partners with major tech and engineering firms for post-graduate employment pathways.

🔗 More: https://www.uncf.org

5. The Gates Scholarship

• Award: Full cost of attendance not already covered by financial aid.

• Eligibility: Pell Grant–eligible minority students with strong academic performance and leadership.

• Highly competitive: Only 300 are awarded each year, but many go to engineering-focused students.

🔗 More: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org

Smart Tips for Engineering Scholarship Applicants

Even with strong grades, engineering scholarships are competitive. These strategies can boost your chances:

1. Build a Strong Portfolio Early

• Include projects (like robotics, Arduino, CAD design), research experience, and problem-solving examples.

• Document projects with photos, videos, or GitHub repositories to show your initiative.

2. Focus on Impact in Essays

• Share real stories: e.g., building a solar project for a local nonprofit or mentoring peers in coding.

• Show how you plan to use your engineering degree to solve real-world problems.

3. Target Scholarships Strategically

• Apply to a mix of local, university, and national scholarships.

• Don’t ignore lesser-known awards they often have fewer applicants.

4. Get Recommenders Who Know Your Passion

• Ideal recommenders include teachers, project mentors, or engineering club advisors.

• Provide them a short list of your accomplishments and goals to help them write specifically.

5. Practice for Interviews

• Competitive scholarships like Gates or Knight-Hennessy often require interviews.

• Prepare to speak confidently about your engineering interests, long-term goals, and challenges you’ve overcome.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can international students apply for engineering scholarships in the U.S.?

Answer: Yes. Many universities offer merit scholarships open to international applicants. Some external scholarships (e.g., Fulbright, AAUW for women) also support international engineering students.

Q2: Do I need a perfect GPA to win an engineering scholarship?

Answer: No. While GPA matters, most committees value leadership, innovation, perseverance, and impact equally. A GPA of 3.0+ with strong extracurriculars can still lead to major awards.

Q3: Are there full-ride engineering scholarships?

Answer: Absolutely. Programs like The Gates Scholarship, Regeneron Science Talent Search, and university-based honors programs often cover tuition, housing, and other costs entirely.

Q4: When should I start applying?

Answer: Begin searching as early as junior year of high school. Most top scholarships have deadlines between October and February for the following academic year.

Q5: Are there scholarships specific to certain engineering fields?

Answer: Yes. For example:

• Civil: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

• Mechanical: ASME

• Electrical: IEEE

• Computer: ACM/Google/Microsoft programs

Key Resources for Scholarship Searches

Use these official portals to find and apply for updated scholarships:

• Scholarships.com

• Fastweb

• BigFuture by CollegeBoard

• CareerOneStop’s Scholarship Finder

Conclusion

Pursuing an engineering degree in the U.S. doesn’t have to come with overwhelming debt. With the right research, strategy, and dedication, students from all backgrounds especially those historically underrepresented in STEM can access fully funded or generously supported programs.

From Google to Gates, from MIT to NACME, the opportunities are vast. But what sets successful applicants apart is their clarity of purpose, commitment to solving real-world challenges, and the persistence to keep applying.