15 Engineering Scholarships for High School Students in 2023
What’s Covered:
Engineering is a highly prestigious, extraordinarily rigorous field. It’s also a high-demand discipline. With so much need for engineers in multiple niches and sectors, it’s no wonder that organizations, government agencies, and others are always looking to incentivize students to study engineering and related disciplines in college, toward the goal of pursuing a career in the field.
Scholarships are one way to entice students to focus their careers and studies on engineering. We’ve rounded up 15 of the top engineering awards for high schoolers in the country.
Engineering Scholarships for High School Students
1. AIChE Minority Scholarship Award
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility:
- High school seniors/incoming college freshmen
- Member of a minority group underrepresented in chemical engineering
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Financial letter.
Awarded by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, this scholarship is offered to 15 graduating high school seniors who are members of a minority group underrepresented in chemical engineering. Applicants must plan to enroll in a four-year institution that offers a science/engineering degree, and preference is given to those admitted into chemical engineering programs.
2. Amazon Future Engineer
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: January 27
Eligibility:
- High school seniors who have completed a computer science, engineering, or robotics course
-
Planning to attain a bachelor’s degree in:
- Computer science
- Software engineering
- Computer engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Robotics
- Other computer science-related fields
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Demonstrate financial need
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 2.3 GPA
- Transcript
- Short answer response
As part of its comprehensive Future Engineer program, Amazon awards this scholarship annually to young adults from underserved and underrepresented communities to help fund undergraduate education in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Scholarship recipients also have the opportunity to participate in a guaranteed summer internship at Amazon.
3. American Nuclear Society Incoming Freshmen Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school seniors/incoming freshmen
This annual scholarship is awarded to up to four incoming college students who are pursuing a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field with an interest in working in nuclear science and technology.
4. ASHRAE High School Senior Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: May 1
Eligibility:
- High school seniors/incoming college freshmen
- Accepted into an engineering, pre-engineering, or engineering technology program at a qualifying post-secondary educational institution
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and in the top 30% of class
- Official transcript
- Three letters of recommendation
ASHRAE awards four scholarships to students who have enrolled in their first year of college full-time in a pre-engineering, engineering, or engineering technology bachelor’s degree program to prepare for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC&R) profession. The higher education institution must be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology or Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation, host an ASHRAE student branch, or meet other criteria.
5. BMW/SAE Engineering Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
- High school senior/incoming college freshman
- Pursuing an engineering or related science degree through an ABET-accredited program with an interest in mobility and advanced or emerging technologies
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.75 GPA
- Two letters of recommendation
- Participation in STEM-related extracurricular activity that relates to the intended major
Provided by BMW AG, this scholarship recognizes students’ excellence in engineering. In addition to meeting certain academic standards, applicants should be active participants in STEM-related extracurricular activities, such as clubs, employment, or shadowing. They must also plan on pursuing an engineering or related science degree through an ABET-accredited program.
6. The Maureen L. & Howard N. Blitman, P.E., Scholarship to Promote Diversity in Engineering
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility:
- High school senior
- U.S. Citizen
- Member of an underrepresented ethnic minority in engineering
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
This annual scholarship is awarded to a high school student from an ethnic minority who has been accepted into an ABET-accredited engineering program at a four-year college or university. Applicants are evaluated based on GPA, internship, extracurricular, and community experience.
7. NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: October 13
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school senior
-
Demonstrated desire to major in:
- Aeronautical and astronautical engineering
- Biosciences/pre-med/health-related fields
- Chemical engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil engineering
- Cognitive, neural, and behavioral sciences
- Computer and computational sciences
- Electrical engineering
- Geosciences
- Information sciences
- Materials science and engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical engineering
- Naval architecture and ocean engineering
- Nuclear engineering
- Oceanography
- Operations research
- Physics
- Teaching in STEM areas
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- Headshot
Students who intend to pursue a field related to engineering and who are members of underrepresented groups may apply for this award. The scholarship is intended to increase diversity among undergraduates in STEM disciplines and reduce financial stress and barriers to higher education.
8. SAE/Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
- High school seniors/incoming college freshmen
- U.S. resident
- Participant in the Ford NGL Network and/or a Powered by Ford STEAM Academy
- Pursuing an engineering or related science degree through a U.S. ABET-accredited program
Application Requirements: Two letters of recommendation
This scholarship, developed by the Ford Motor Company Foundation, is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders to successfully compete in the 21st-century economy. Applicants must have participated in the Ford NGL Network and/or a Powered by Ford STEAM Academy and plan on pursuing an engineering or related degree in college.
9. Donald and Barbara Mozley Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
- High school seniors/incoming college freshmen and undergraduates
- U.S. resident
- Pursuing an engineering or related science degree through a U.S. ABET-accredited program
Application Requirements:
- Two letters of recommendation
- FASFA
- Participation in extracurricular STEM activities
This generous scholarship was established by the well-known broadcast journalist, Donald Mozley. To win this award, applicants will need to detail the importance of their desired major and the future contributions they hope to make. They will also need to demonstrate participation in STEM activities outside of the classroom through extracurricular activities like clubs, mentorship, and volunteering.
10. West Virginia Engineering, Science, and Technology Scholarship (WV STEM Scholarship)
Amount: Up to $3,000
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility:
- High school seniors/incoming college freshmen and undergraduates
- U.S. citizen or resident alien
- Enrolled or accepted in an engineering, science, or technology program that leads to a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree
- Agree to work full-time in an engineering, science, or technology field in West Virginia for one year for each year the scholarship was received
The WV STEM Scholarship provides students money for college provided they commit to working in a STEM field in West Virginia. The expectation is that recipients will work a year for every year they receive funds—if they fail to honor the commitment, the scholarship reverts to a loan. Priority is given to students from the Mountaineer State, however, applicants from across the country are welcome to apply.
11. NACME Engineering Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility:
- High school seniors/incoming college freshmen and undergraduates
- Applying or matriculating to an engineering or computer science program at a NACME Partner Institution
- Application Requirements: Varies
The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) provides a variety of scholarships—awarding more than $5 million annually—to underrepresented minority students pursuing degrees in engineering and computer science. The scholarships serve the organization’s mission of increasing the representation of Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic American, and Native/American Indian in the fields of engineering and computer science.
12. Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship
Amount: Up to $40,000
Deadline: March 31
Eligibility:
- High school seniors or undergraduates in their freshman or sophomore year
- U.S. citizen
- Demonstrated financial need
-
Current or planned enrollment in a four-year program majoring in:
- Aerospace engineering
- Computer engineering
- Computer science
- Electrical engineering
- Electrical and computer engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical engineering
- Physics
Application Requirements: Varies
The STEM Scholarship Program awards 200 of these $10,000 awards—which can be renewed up to three times—annually to students intending to earn a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field. Students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM—including racial and ethnic minorities, first-generation college students, individuals with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ—are given additional consideration.
13. Women at Microsoft Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: March 15
Eligibility:
- Identify as a woman and/or nonbinary
- Graduating high school senior
- Planning to pursue a career in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)
- Planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Transcript
- Essay
- Two letters of recommendation
Microsoft encourages women and nonbinary people to consider careers in technology through this generous award. The award is renewable for up to four years. Nonbinary people, those who are gender fluid, and women of transgender experience are encouraged to apply.
14. The Science Ambassador Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduates
Application Requirements: Three-minute educational video explaining a STEM topic
Recipients can win a full-tuition scholarship that’s renewable for up to four years in this video contest funded by the game Cards Against Humanity. Applicants must submit a three-minute video on a STEM topic they’re passionate about. Wondering if you have what it takes to win? The scholarship posts past winning videos online.
15. PG&E NSBE Network Group Scholarship
Amount: $1,000-$3,000
Deadline: February 24
Eligibility:
- High school seniors and undergraduates
- Primary residence is a PG&E customer
Application Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA
This scholarship is sponsored by the PG&E National Society of Black Engineers Network Group and is designed to promote STEM fields to a diverse body of students. Students pursuing all majors are eligible for the award, however, priority is given to STEM majors.
16 (Bonus). CollegeVine Scholarships
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Quarterly
Eligibility: high school student and US resident
Application Requirements: create a free CollegeVine account or fill out chancing profile if you already have an account.
CollegeVine provides a quarterly, no-essay scholarship of $2,000. All you have to do is sign up for a free account, which allows you to see your chances of acceptance at 1,600+ schools, get your essays reviewed by a peer, ask questions in our community forum, and more. If you already have an account, just make sure your chancing profile is filled out.
Awards will be paid out directly to students to help them cover any educational costs. Learn more about the CollegeVine scholarships.
Tips for Applying to Scholarships
Applying for scholarships may be time-consuming, but can be worth it if you do it right! To maximize your chances of success, follow these tips.
Do your research: read about each scholarship you are applying for to make sure you know what criteria you will be evaluated on.
Apply to niche scholarships: To better your chances, apply to scholarships for specific demographics or interest groups—like these scholarships geared toward engineering students.
Edit your work: Be thorough with your applications, and have someone else read over your application before submission.
Organize yourself: Create a spreadsheet with deadlines, required materials, and other information to ensure you stay on top of your applications. The last thing you want is to waste time with an application because you missed a deadline!
