STEM Scholarships for Minority Students in Affordable Online Programs

Why STEM Scholarships for Minority Students Matter

If you’re interested in STEM scholarships for minority students, keep reading. You’ll find information about their types, eligibility requirements, and the best programs.

Why do these scholarships matter for minority students in the first place?

Promote diversity in STEM education and the STEM industries.

Diversity drives innovation in STEM, such as in computer science and biomedical engineering. The more diverse the backgrounds, the more innovative the solutions can be. These solutions are accessible to a wider audience and make STEM more relatable, too.

Society benefits from these accessible innovations, such as AI in healthcare. More minority graduates in the STEM workforce also means more innovation and diversity.

Make STEM education accessible for minority students.

STEM degrees are likely to be more expensive than non-STEM majors. At the University of Maryland, engineering and computer science programs charge $1,500 more per semester than non-STEM programs.

Now, consider the average tuition and fees for bachelor’s degrees in general. The average tuition and fees for 2024-2025 range from $11,011 to $43,505 (US News, 2024-2025). Even at affordable online colleges, these amounts can be a heavy burden. This is particularly true for minority students from low-income backgrounds.

Online students must also consider incidental expenses. Books and supplies, technology costs, and living expenses can run thousands of dollars per year, too. The financial burden can be overwhelming and result in high dropout rates among low-income minority students.

With STEM scholarships for minority students, college becomes more affordable. These scholarships encourage more minority students to enroll and earn their degrees.

The bottom line: You, a minority student, have the opportunity to get a STEM education. Your education won’t come at the cost of crippling student debt, too.

Related Articles:

• Understanding the Application Process for Minority Scholarships in Online Education
• Top Affordable Online Colleges for Minority Students in STEM Fields
• Top Scholarships for Minority Students Attending Low-Cost Online Universities
• Top Financial Aid Programs for Minority Students at Accredited Online Colleges
• How Minority Students Can Maximize Financial Aid for Online Learning
• Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships for Minority Students in Online Learning
• Best Scholarships for Minority Women in Online Degree Programs

Types of STEM Scholarships Available for Minority Students

There’s a wide range of minority scholarships for STEM majors. Your job is to research them, apply when you’re eligible, and take full advantage of their benefits. These scholarships are free money but aren’t handed on a silver platter.

Here are the major types of scholarships that you can search for:

Need-based scholarships

These scholarship programs grant financial aid based on your demonstrated financial need. Applicants usually must have a current FAFSA file for reference. Personal circumstances resulting in extreme financial need may also be highlighted.

Merit-based scholarships

These scholarships are awarded based on merit or achievements. Among the most popular criteria used are:

• Academic performance, usually measured by cumulative GPA and grades in STEM subjects
• Leadership skills and potential, such as extracurricular and community activities. You can become a member of student-run organizations and volunteer in community organizations. Better yet, be a leader among your peers.

You can highlight your accomplishments in your statement or essay.

Specialized scholarships

There are scholarships aimed at underrepresented students in STEM programs. Women are also included in these groups. The NSBE offers scholarships for Black engineering students. Be sure to check out ASME (mechanical engineering) and AIChE (chemical engineering), too.

Indeed, you will find many opportunities to fund your online college education. The trick is to be proactive and patient to find and maximize them. 

You must also first consider affordable online STEM programs during college planning. The lower the tuition and fees, the more likely scholarships can cover these costs.

Top STEM Scholarships for Minority Students in Online Programs

Here are the best scholarships for minority STEM students today. We selected them based on their:

• Exclusive availability to minority students or also open to minority students
• The relative ease of completing the application process and papers
• Reasonable eligibility requirements
• Generous financial aid awarded
• Renewability of scholarship, if possible

UNCF STEM Scholars Program

This is a ten-year program that provides scholarships to 500 African American high school students who:

• US citizens or nationals or legal permanent residents
• Have at least 3.0 cumulative GPA (unweighted 4.0 scale)
• Pursued rigorous math and science courses
• Show the readiness to earn STEM degrees
• Have demonstrated financial need, including unmet need

This is among the most popular online scholarships for STEM degrees. For this reason, it’s also among the most competitive. Awards range from $2,500 to $5,000 per year.

Google’s Generation Google Scholarship for Women

The $2,500 scholarship money is for women in computer science or computer engineering programs. Applicants are assessed based on their academic performance and leadership, among others. Recipients can receive up to $2,500 for the academic year.

Society of Women Engineers Scholarships

If you’re a woman pursuing an engineering degree, check out the SWE scholarships. Students in engineering technology and other engineering-related fields are welcome, too. Both undergraduate and graduate students can apply.

Application requirements include:

• Letters of reference
• Current resume with volunteer and work history
• Unofficial transcript

The financial aid for minority STEM students aims to increase women’s participation in the field.

National Society of Black Engineers Scholarships

The NSBE offers many scholarships to African American and other minority students in STEM programs. Engineering scholarships are among the most popular.

Applicants must:

• Be a paid member and renew their membership for the scholarship year they’re applying for
• Have a verified GPA based on their membership profile
• Complete the Eligibility Survey

Award amounts range from $500 to $12,000, depending on the scholarship. The organization supports diversity in STEM scholarships by welcoming students from all races, too.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society Scholarships

The AISES scholarships enable its member students to earn their STEM degrees at accredited colleges. These scholarships include:

• The SPEEA scholarship is for students in engineering and other fields that support the aerospace industry. Recipients receive $5,000 per year.
• The Stellantis Scholarship awards $20,000 each to three students (2024-2026 academic years). Applicants must be accepted into a college with a Mopar CAP program.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

The HSF, a nonprofit, is well-known among the Hispanic community for its scholarships. Since 1975, it has awarded more than $730 million in scholarships. The organization also provides support and career services for students.

Applicants to HSF’s scholar program must:

• Be of Hispanic heritage
• Be a US citizen, or a permanent legal resident, or DACA
• With at least 3.0 GPA (high school students) or 2.5 GPA (undergraduate and graduate students)
• Plan to enroll as a full-time student in an accredited college in the US
• Submit their FAFSA form or its equivalent, if applicable

The Gates Scholarship

This is a first-dollar scholarship that provides full tuition coverage. Only 300 low-income minority high school seniors are selected every year. Academic excellence and leadership skills are considered. There’s a premium placed on extracurriculars and community involvement, too. For these reasons, it’s a highly competitive program.

Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship

Applicants must, among others:

• Be a US citizen
• With demonstrated financial need
• Have at least a 2.5 GPA
• Plan to pursue or be accepted into aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, or computer science programs, among others

An internship may be available for recipients.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund STEM Scholarship

Several scholarships are available, including:

• Baxter STEM Scholarship (need-based, up to $20,000 for tuition and fees)
• Apple HBCU Scholarship (merit-based, award amount varies, paid internship)

The TMCF is a national nonprofit that offers scholarships to students in HBCUs and PBIs.

Microsoft Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

The BAM Scholarship program supports Black and African American students in technology-related programs. Applicants must:

• Be a high school senior of African descent
• Plan to pursue degrees in engineering, computer information systems, and computer science, among others
• Have at least 3.0 GPA
• Demonstrate financial need

Leadership and a passion for technology are also considered.

Eligibility Requirements and Application Tips for STEM Scholarships

Take note of these common eligibility requirements of STEM scholarships for minority students.

Citizenship status

Being a US citizen or national is a foremost requirement. Scholarship programs may also welcome legal permanent residents and DACA.

Minority status

You must be of a specific ethnic or racial background, such as African American or Hispanic. Proper documentation, such as ID or tribal enrollment, may be necessary.

Academic performance via minimum GPA

Most merit-based programs require academic transcripts to assess academic performance and potential. Even need-based programs require them, too.

Extracurricular activities and community engagement

These are usually reflected in your resume and personal statement or essay.

Enrollment in a specific STEM discipline

Check the specific STEM fields covered by the scholarship programs you’re interested in. These may only be in engineering disciplines or cover other STEM fields, such as computer science, math, or physics.

Demonstrated financial need and proof of achievements

Need-based scholarships usually require a current FAFSA file and other applicable documents. Merit-based scholarships require academic transcripts and standardized test scores, among others. 

Application requirements, including documents for scholarships, typically include:

• Completed application form
• Current resume
• Personal statements or essays with answers based on prompts provided
• Letters of recommendation or reference
• Academic transcripts
• FAFSA and other financial documents, if applicable

Think of applying for scholarships as applying for jobs. You have to put your best foot forward. Keep these application tips in mind to do so.

• Start your scholarship search ASAP, ideally in your junior year in high school.
• Take note of the eligibility requirements, especially the GPA and extracurriculars.
• Use traditional and digital calendars to organize your application timelines. Set alarms for deadlines at least a few days before these come up.
• Write a compelling personal statement. If required, answer the essay prompts to the best of your abilities. Stay on topic, too.
• Highlight your academic achievements and leadership skills.
• Get strong letters of recommendation.
• Follow the instructions in the letter.
• Submit complete and accurate applications on or before the deadline.
• Be responsive to emails sent by the scholarship programs.

Patience and perseverance are a must, too. You will wait for responses to your application, so patience is a virtue. Rejections are common, too, but keep trying anyway.

How to Find Additional Financial Aid for Minority STEM Students

First, find affordable online colleges for minority students. This way, you’ll have most of your tuition and fees covered by scholarships. WGU, Liberty, and SNHU are excellent examples.

Then, search for the best STEM funding for minorities in online programs. You’ll find them in the ten scholarship programs featured above.

However, we also understand if you want to explore more financial aid opportunities. You can start with these resources, most of which are free.

Government websites are the go-to resources for information on federal and state student aid:

• Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov)
• FAFSA (fafsa.gov)
• US Department of Education (ed.gov)
• State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (sheeo.org)
• College Navigator (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator)
• College Scorecard (collegescorecard.ed.gov)
• US Department of Veterans Affairs for GI Bill Education Benefits (va.gov)

Scholarship search platforms maintain extensive databases of STEM scholarships for minority students, too:

• Fastweb
• College Board Scholarship Search
• Scholarships.com
• Bold.org
• Unigo

Websites that offer extensive resources on the scholarship application process are useful, too. Many also have a scholarship search feature:

• Niche
• Cappex
• Chegg
• Peterson’s
• ScholarshipOwl

College resources must be on your list, too, because of their updated information. Check out dedicated offices like:

• Financial aid office
• Diversity and inclusion office
• Military and Veteran Students office
• Departmental offices

Check out your local community organizations for scholarship opportunities, too.

Conclusion: Taking the Next Step Toward an Affordable STEM Education

In conclusion, minority students must take advantage of scholarship programs for STEM diversity. These scholarships foster innovation, creativity, and effective solutions that benefit society. More importantly, these scholarships make college education more affordable.

So, if you’re feeling hopeless about earning a STEM degree, explore your options. You’ll find many STEM scholarships for minority students that fit your needs.

But take a proactive approach so you can maximize them. Start early, market yourself, and stay organized. Earning your STEM degree while keeping your out-of-pocket costs is possible.