Best STEM Scholarships for Minority Students

Why STEM Scholarships Matter for Minority Students

In this guide, we’re diving into the best STEM scholarships for minority students.

Did you know that roughly 18 million students are enrolled in higher education institutions? Of those, only around 16% are Black or African American, 18% are Hispanic or Latino, and only 1% are Native American or Alaska Native. Now, when we look specifically at STEM fields—science, tech, engineering, and math—these groups are seriously underrepresented.

The lack of minority students in STEM fields has resulted in fewer of them working in STEM jobs. Here’s a quick overview of a study published by Pew Research: “STEM Jobs See Uneven Progress in Increasing Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Diversity.”

• Hispanic workers comprise 17% of all jobs but only 8% of STEM workers.
• Black workers comprise 11% of the workforce but only 9% in STEM.
• Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, and people who identify with two or more racial groups make up just 3% of STEM workers.

One of the main reasons seen by the lack of minority representation in STEM fields is the financial barrier. Many students from underrepresented backgrounds struggle with the high education cost, making pursuing a STEM degree seem out of reach. This is where STEM scholarships for minority students come in.

STEM scholarships for minority students really help ease financial worries. And it’s not just the students who gain—entire communities and fields benefit, too. Embracing diversity brings fresh ideas, drives innovation, and makes science more fair and inclusive for everyone.

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• Top STEM Scholarships for College Students in 2025
• Graduate STEM Scholarships: Funding Your Advanced Studies in Science and Technology

Top STEM Scholarships for Minority Students

These minority STEM scholarships are designed to provide financial support and encourage students from diverse backgrounds to take on careers in STEM.

1. For A Bright Future – STEM Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Provider: For A Bright Future
• Overview: This is one of the most generous scholarships for minorities in STEM. It supports underrepresented and exceptional students pursuing degrees in sustainability and STEM fields.
• Eligibility:
  • Minority (American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Black)
  • U.S. resident
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Aged 17-30
  • Planning to attend college in the next academic year
  • Majoring in a STEM degree

2. ACS Scholars Program

• Amount: Up to $5,000
• Provider: American Chemical Society
• Overview: The ACS Scholars Program provides renewable scholarships to undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups pursuing chemistry-related degrees.
• Eligibility:
  • U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
  • African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Indigenous (Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Alaskan Native)
  • Must major or intend to major in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or a chemistry-related field
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0

3. Shell Incentive Fund Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Provider: Shell Oil Company
• Overview: This scholarship supports underrepresented students majoring in specific technical fields at selected universities.
• Eligibility:
  • Freshman, sophomore, or junior
  • Full-time enrollment
  • Minimum GPA of 3.20
  • Majoring in geology, geophysics, physics, or engineering disciplines
  • Hispanic/Latino, Black, American Indian, and Alaskan Native

4. AROC AI/ML Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Provider: AROC
• Overview: Aimed at narrowing the STEM education gap, this scholarship supports Black students pursuing STEM degrees.
• Eligibility:
  • Black or African American
  • Pursuing a STEM degree
  • High school or undergraduate student

5. AISES Scholarships

• Amount: Varies
• Provider: American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• Overview: AISES offers several diversity scholarships for STEM majors. But, they’re mostly designed for Indigenous students, aiming to empower and increase diversity in the STEM field.
• Eligibility:
  • Enrolled member or descendant of a federal or state-recognized American Indian Tribe, Alaska Native Village, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Indigenous Canadian
  • Must be a member of AISES
  • Must be pursuing a STEM degree

6. NextEra Energy Foundation (NEEF) Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Provider: NextEra Energy Foundation, Inc.
• Overview: As one of the best scholarships for minority students in STEM, this scholarship supports American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in degrees in environmental, energy, or STEM-related fields.
• Eligibility:
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Enrolled member or descendant of an American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native group that is state- or federally recognized
  • Full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university
  • Pursuing a degree in environment, energy, cultural sustainability, or a STEM-related discipline

7. Madam C.J. Walker Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Provider: Mary Kay, Inc. / Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC)
• Overview: Supports underrepresented minorities pursuing degrees in STEM fields related to the cosmetics industry.
• Eligibility:
  • Underrepresented minority (Black, African American, Native American, Hispanic/Latin American)
  • Full-time enrollment in an accredited college or university
  • Pursuing a degree in chemical, physical, biological, medical, pharmaceutical, or related sciences for the cosmetics industry

8. ACS Scholars Program

• Amount: Up to $5,000
• Provider: American Chemical Society
• Overview: The ACS Scholars Program provides renewable scholarships for Black, Hispanic, and Native American STEM students, particularly those pursuing chemistry-related degrees.
• Eligibility:
  • U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
  • African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Indigenous (Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Alaskan Native)
  • Must major or intend to major in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or a chemistry-related field
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0

9. LPA Interdisciplinary Diversity Scholarship

• Amount: $5,000
• Provider: LPA, Inc.
• Overview: LPA provides renewable $5,000 scholarships to students in California or Texas pursuing degrees in architecture, engineering, or related fields.
• Eligibility:
  • High school seniors residing in California or Texas
  • Accepted into a full-time undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university
  • Pursuing a degree in architecture, engineering, or related fields
  • Legally authorized to work in the United States
  • Must be from a diverse background (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, or a woman of any race)

10. HITEC Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $5,000
• Provider: HITEC Foundation
• Overview: Designed to assist Hispanic students pursuing technology-related degrees
• Eligibility:
  • Graduating high school senior, GED recipient, or current student.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Major or intending to major in a technology-related field
  • Hispanic descent (at least one parent must be of Hispanic heritage)
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or eligible for DACA

Who Qualifies? Understanding STEM Scholarship Eligibility

While every scholarship has its own specific rules, there are a few common factors that tend to pop up:

Academic Requirements

For most scholarships, you need to have a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0. Some of the more competitive scholarships might ask for a higher GPA—especially if you’re applying for advanced studies or research opportunities. Some might also consider test scores or other academic achievements, not just your GPA.

Ethnic and Racial Eligibility

Many STEM scholarships are aimed at supporting students from historically underrepresented groups, including:

• Black
• Latino
• Indigenous
• Asian
• Pacific Islander
• and other minority communities

Financial Need vs. Merit-Based Scholarships

STEM financial aid for minority students might fall into two categories:

• Need-Based
• Merit-Based

Need-based aid is given based on the family’s financial situation. To determine how much aid a student qualifies for, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. This form gathers information about the family’s income, assets, number of children in college, and household size. The financial aid office at the school uses this info to calculate the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The lower the EFC, the more financial need the student has.

Examples of need-based aid include:

• federal grants like the Pell Grant
• state grants
• federal student loans
• college-specific grants
• work-study programs

Merit Aid

Merit aid, on the other hand, is awarded based on the student’s achievements, including:

• academic performance
• sports skills
• artistic talent

Types of merit aid include scholarships for academics, athletics, the arts, and even programs like ROTC. Colleges, private organizations, nonprofits, and more offer this type of aid.

To qualify for merit-based financial aid for minority STEM students, a few factors are taken into account to prove a student’s abilities, including:

• GPA
• class rank
• SAT/ACT scores
• leadership/extracurricular activities
• other accomplishments

Competitive colleges often offer larger merit STEM scholarships for minority students to attract top talents.

How to Apply for STEM Scholarships: Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for STEM scholarships may seem overwhelming, but if you follow these steps, you can make the process a lot smoother.

Here’s a quick but thorough guide on how to apply for STEM scholarships:

1. Research the right scholarships.

When researching, you should first consider your eligibility for STEM scholarships. Look for those that match your background, interests, and goals. Use scholarship search engines, visit organizations’ websites, and talk to your school’s financial aid office to find relevant opportunities.

2. Gather the essentials.

Before you start, make sure you have these ready:

• Updated resume or CV
• Recent transcripts
• References’ contact info and permission

Some applications may need official transcripts, so check the details.

3. Write flexibly.

Certain parts of your application may need some customization. This includes essays and recommendation letters.

Here are a few tips on how to approach them:

Essays

For most scholarships, you’ll need to write an essay about your life. It’s recommended that you focus on a challenge you’ve overcome and what you’ve learned. To write a strong essay:

• Read the question carefully and make sure you answer every part.
• Organize your thoughts, maybe with an outline.
• Write clearly, using specific examples, and keep it simple.
• Wrap up your essay with a strong conclusion.
• Proofread for spelling, grammar, and clarity, and ask someone else to review it.

Letters of Recommendation

You’ll also need to request letters of recommendation or provide a list of references. Here’s how to approach it:

• Choose the right references based on the application guidelines (academic or personal).
• Ask early if your references are willing to write one for you. Some may decline if they don’t know you well enough.
• Give your references the info they need, like your personal statement or resume, so that they can write a strong recommendation. Let them know what the reference is for (scholarships, mentorship, etc.).
• Give them plenty of time—ideally, a few weeks.
• Thank them, and keep them updated on your application results!

4. Double-check your work.

Take your time with the application process. Common mistakes are rushing and submitting incomplete apps, missing deadlines, or writing generic essays that don’t really stand out. Make sure to double-check everything before hitting submit!

Additional Financial Aid Options for Minority STEM Students

There are other ways to pay for your STEM education from the government and private companies. Here are a few other financial aid options:

• Grants: Financial aid given to individuals or organizations for specific projects or needs that don’t need to be repaid.
• Fellowships: Competitive financial support for advanced study, research, or professional development, typically for graduate-level work.
• Work-Study Programs: Part-time jobs are offered to students to help them earn money for education-related expenses, often on-campus or with nonprofits.

Our best advice? Thoroughly check a scholarship’s eligibility requirements. Make sure you meet all the criteria before spending time on an application. If you qualify, go for it—every little bit counts! And don’t forget to tailor your application to really stand out.

Final Tips for Securing a STEM Scholarship

STEM scholarships for minority students can be pretty competitive, so you’ve gotta stay on top of your game! Here are a few last-minute tips to help boost your chances of landing one:

• Stay on top of deadlines. Make a spreadsheet or use a planner to track your scholarship deadlines. Don’t let them sneak up on you!
• Network and seek mentorship. Connecting with pros in the field is a great way to get advice and some solid recommendations. You should consider joining professional groups like NSBE or SHPE. It’s all about building that network!
• Think long-term. Scholarships are just one part of the journey. Keep in mind that the relationships and experiences you gain from these opportunities will last well beyond graduation.