Why Merit Scholarships Matter for STEM Majors
If you’re seeking merit scholarships for STEM majors, you’re on the right page. We’ll also discuss their eligibility requirements, steps to apply, and maximizing them. These are important matters because of the cost and return on investment of STEM degrees.
Several factors affect cost, such as the type of degree and college. Public colleges usually have more affordable tuition and fees than private colleges. In-state students pay less than out-of-state students in tuition and fees.
STEM degrees also tend to be more expensive than non-STEM degrees. Colleges spend more on specialized facilities and faculty for STEM programs.
Featured Programs
With that said, your total cost of attendance varies depending on the above factors. If you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you can spend between $55,000 and $130,000 in direct costs.
With indirect costs, your cost of attendance will increase. Note that indirect costs comprise 60% of the cost of attendance. So, your cost of attendance is between $137,500 and $325,000 over four years.
If these figures are too much, consider merit scholarships. You’ll get free money to finance your STEM education. If you combine scholarships, you can even get a free ride. Better yet, look for full-ride or full-tuition STEM scholarships.
While STEM degrees have their financial challenges, their financial benefits are worthwhile. STEM occupations earn more than twice the median annual income of non-STEM occupations. In 2021, it was $95,420/year for STEM workers versus $40,120/year for non-STEM workers.
Furthermore, STEM workers enjoy high demand and a fast job growth rate. STEM professionals are in high demand across diverse industries, too.
The bottom line: A STEM degree may be challenging, academics- and money-wise. But the returns on investment are through the roof.
Who Qualifies for Merit-Based STEM Scholarships?
STEM scholarships for high-achieving students have selective eligibility requirements and criteria. Even the best and brightest aren’t guaranteed a spot.
For this reason, you must read and understand the specific eligibility requirements first. Be sure to write them down and submit complete and accurate documents. You should stand out from the rest so your application can be considered, too.
Every merit STEM scholarship program has specific eligibility requirements. But here are the most common ones that you must prepare for.
Strong academic performance
- Aim for at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Show your academic progression and rigor. Take IB, AP, honors classes, or dual-enrollment courses.
- Get above-average SAT/ACT scores. Being in the top 10% of the Math and Science sections makes good sense.
- Be a member or leader of STEM clubs and organizations.
- Win or take part in STEM competitions and events.
Submit strong supporting documents
- Letters of recommendation must attest to your abilities
- Personal essays should be compelling and highlight your uniqueness
- Projects must be in line with the program’s goals
Indeed, merit STEM scholarships aren’t based on your demonstrated financial need. Instead, these are competitive scholarships based on your achievements and abilities.
Top Merit-Based Scholarships for STEM Students
SMART Scholarship
This is among the best merit-based scholarships for STEM students because it’s a full ride with:
- Full tuition and mandatory fee coverage
- Annual stipends
Eligibility requirements include:
- Pursuing a degree in one of the 23 STEM disciplines.
- At least 18 years old
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
The application period is from August 1 to December 1.
Scholars also enjoy these benefits:
- Summer research internships
- Post-graduation guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense
- Mentorship
There’s also a service obligation component.
Astronaut Scholarship
More than 60 scholarships for science, technology, engineering, and math students are available. Scholars receive up to $15,000.
Other unique benefits are:
- Paid trip to the Innovators Symposium & Gala
- Lifelong connections with astronauts, the Foundation, and its scholars/alumni
- Professional development opportunities
Eligibility requirements include:
- A STEM major entering their junior or senior year in college
- Nominated by a faculty member at a partner university
The application period opens in December and ends in March of the following year.
NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The NIH offers merit-based financial aid for STEM students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Scholars receive up to $20,000/academic year for tuition and living expenses.
Other unique benefits include:
- Direct payments made to the scholar during the summer internship
- Post-graduation service obligation with commensurate pay
- Access to professional development programs, career advising, and well-being services
Eligibility requirements include:
- A full-time undergraduate student
- At least 3.3 GPA or top 5% of the class
- Demonstrate exceptional financial need
The application deadline is March 26, 2025 (12 o’clock noon ET).
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program offers project-based scholarships for STEM undergraduates. Scholars have completed STEM projects with significant impact.
The award amounts are based on the impact and merit of projects – $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000.
Eligibility requirements include:
- At least 18 years old
- Completion of a significant project
There are two parts to the application process – initial submission and full application.
Unique benefits include annual gatherings and special receptions. Scholars also enjoy networking opportunities and support services.
NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship
NOAA provides STEM college funding opportunities for undergraduates, too. Scholars receive up to $9,500/academic year for up to two years. Other unique benefits are:
- Travel funding
- Full-time paid summer internship
- Housing subsidy during the summer internship
- Opportunities for research presentations
Eligibility requirements include:
- Full-time enrollment
- At least 3.0 cumulative GPA
- A declared STEM major aligned with NOAA’s mission
The application cycle opens every September 1 and ends on January 1 of the following year.
National Space Club and Foundation Keynote Scholarship
If you’re looking for top STEM scholarships with high awards, consider this one. The scholar receives $20,000 to cover tuition. Other unique benefits include:
- Deliver the keynote speech at the Goddard Memorial Dinner
- Access networking opportunities in the STEM industry
Eligibility requirements include:
- Be a high school senior or undergraduate student
- Plan on pursuing a STEM career, preferably in space-related fields
The application period for the 2026 cycle has yet to be announced.
Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
This is among the competitive scholarships for STEM students with hundreds of applicants. The program highlights Native American healthcare and tribal public policy.
Scholars receive up to $7,000/academic year to cover direct and indirect costs. Other benefits include:
- Attendance in a multi-day program orientation
- Access to networking and professional development opportunities
Eligibility requirements include:
- Full-time sophomore or junior college student
- Pursuing a degree in Udall-approved fields
- Nomination by a faculty member
The application deadline is March 5, 2025 (11:59 pm MST).
Generation Google Scholarship
Scholars receive $2,500 for an academic year. There’s no announcement yet for the application deadline for the 2026-2026 cycle.
Applicants must meet these eligibility criteria:
- Current enrollment as a full-time sophomore or junior student
- Pursuing a degree in the fields of computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field
- With a strong academic record
- Demonstrate leadership and inclusion skills
Scholars have access to professional development and networking opportunities.
Semiconductor and Microelectronics Leadership Program at the University at Albany
Selected students receive $5,000 in scholarships. Applicants must meet these eligibility requirements:
- High school senior or transfer student to the University at Albany
- Majoring in nanoscale science, nanoscale engineering, or electrical and computer engineering
The deadline for priority consideration is November 1 every year.
Unique benefits of participation include:
- Facilities tours, such as the NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex
- Networking events
- Professional development opportunities
This merit scholarship program for STEM majors is funded through NORDTECH.
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholars receive $40,000 in total funding over four years. Their benefits also include a paid summer internship at Amazon.
Applicants must meet these eligibility requirements:
- High school senior with plans to pursue a degree in software engineering, computer engineering, and computer science, among others
- Demonstrate academic excellence; students with IB or AP classes preferred
- With demonstrated financial need
Applicants from underserved and underrepresented communities in the tech industry are given preferential priority.
How to Apply for STEM Merit Scholarships Successfully
With so many scholarships to choose from, it can be overwhelming to choose, but it’s doable. Once you’ve chosen the programs you’re interested in, the next step is applying. This is crucial to your success because even a single or simple mistake can lead to failure.
Here’s a useful step-by-step guide on how to apply for STEM scholarships successfully.
Start early.
Look for merit STEM scholarships ASAP. You can start during your freshman year in high school. This way, you’ll have ample time to meet academic and extracurricular criteria.
Do diligent research on the eligibility requirements and criteria, application process, and deadlines. Write them down, use calendars and alarms to keep track, and make a checklist.
Use scholarship search engines to find more suitable scholarship programs. Fastweb and Scholarships.com are popular.
Read and follow the instructions.
When you do, your chances of success increase. This is because following instructions shows attention to detail and respect for other people’s time.
Meet the academic, extracurricular, and other eligibility requirements.
Check the accuracy and completeness of your application forms and supporting documents. Double-check, if possible. Then, compile these documents according to the desired format.
Tailor every application packet to each program.
Don’t submit the same personal statement, essays, and letters of recommendation. It’s just plain laziness that will be evident because of their generic nature. Instead, create tailored personal statements and letters of recommendation for every program.
Submit on or before the deadline.
Be sure to submit in the right format, too (e.g., electronic or mail) and person and address.
When you’re writing your personal statement or essays, remember these tips.
- Follow the essay prompts or choose a unique topic based on the program’s objectives.
- Use the active voice.
- Provide concrete examples.
- Highlight the positive impact of your activities or projects.
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Stay true to yourself.
- Edit and proofread as many times as possible.
Then, you should showcase your academic excellence and leadership skills.
- Point out your academic progression and performance.
- Highlight the leadership skills in your student organization and community involvement.
- Showcase your internship experience, independent projects, and recognitions.
Regarding letters of recommendation, choose recommenders who know you and your abilities. You must provide them with ample time and information, too.
Maximizing Your Scholarship Opportunities
Merit STEM scholarships are abundant. But, it can be a challenge to maximize these opportunities. You can, for example, overlook smaller scholarships or submit weak applications.
If you want to avoid these mistakes, keep these tips in mind.
Apply to as many scholarship programs as you possibly can.
- Take full advantage of scholarship databases and search engines.
- Explore local and niche scholarships. Ask local businesses, charitable organizations, and schools for scholarships.
- Make your scholarship calendar to keep track. Digital calendars are great tools for this purpose.
- Keep your portfolio of resume, essays, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation organized.
Improve your competitiveness.
- Go beyond good grades by expanding your extracurriculars. Go beyond the campus, too, via community service.
- Be a winner in STEM competitions and a leader on your campus and among your peers.
- Pursue research with your peers and professors. Engage in independent projects, too.
- Develop your communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and other soft skills.
Leverage your scholarship awards to get more financial aid.
- Stack several scholarships to cover your college costs.
- Work with a financial aid officer to maximize your financial aid package.
- Use your scholarship money to pay your student loans, if allowed.
In the end, it’s your ultimate responsibility to make the most of your scholarships.
Conclusion: Take the Next Steps Toward Earning STEM Scholarships
In conclusion, merit scholarships for STEM majors have selective eligibility requirements and criteria. Being prepared with outstanding achievements and abilities is a must.
But it’s also crucial that you start your research ASAP. This way, you can submit your applications early and get a head start from your peers.