Scholarship Spotlight: Top Online STEM Scholarships

Introduction to STEM Scholarships for Online Students

STEM education is popular because it can lead to well-paying jobs and help students work on important problems. Approximately 8.6 million workers, or 6.2% of all jobs, are in STEM today, accounting for a sizeable share of the economy.

Students can tackle big issues like better healthcare, climate change, and new technology by developing STEM skills. Some of the top degree programs in STEM that lead to high-paying careers include:

1. Petroleum Engineering
2. Computer Engineering
3. Software Development
4. Mathematics & Statisticians
5. Aerospace Engineering

As more students decide to pursue the STEM field, colleges are offering various scholarships to support them.

Today, you can find a variety of on-campus and online STEM scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. These resources are meant to make learning easier and encourage more students to join and succeed in rapidly growing fields.

This post will focus on helping you secure online STEM scholarships. We will also list the top STEM scholarships for online students and resources on where to find more. If you want more resources we also have a guide to navigating scholarships for online education.

Related Articles:

• 30 Most Affordable Colleges for a STEM Degree 2024
• Top 10 Best Scholarships for College Students
• Unlocking Opportunities: Online Education Scholarships

Why Pursue a STEM Degree Online?

Are you interested in a field that keeps you on your toes and offers many challenges? STEM is a great choice if you enjoy being continually tested.

Jobs in STEM are expected to grow by 10.8%  by 2032, much faster than the 3.7% growth for other fields. If you want to pursue a STEM degree, you must be prepared to face the challenges that come with it. These degrees are not for the faint of heart.

STEM degrees involve rigorous coursework, problem-solving, and a strong commitment to learning. You’ll need to be ready to tackle complex subjects and stay on top of the latest advancements in your field.

Many students choose to study online because of the high cost of on-campus education. You might wonder if online STEM degrees are as challenging as on-campus ones. The answer is YES.

Online STEM degree programs are the perfect choice for students who:

• Want a more affordable learning option.
• Can’t get to campus because of a disability, location, or schedule.
• Prefer to study in a distraction-free environment.

Online programs are just as challenging as on-campus ones and are often taught by the same instructors. Studying online can also help you focus better on subjects that need deep thinking.

Courses are delivered through platforms like Canvas or Blackboard, which keep your learning secure and private. You might have classes that you can attend at any time (asynchronously) or ones that require you to log in at specific times (synchronously).

However, to ensure the online program will be worth it, you should check the school’s accreditation and reputation. Accreditation guarantees that your program meets quality standards and is recognized by employers. Here are a few pieces of advice when pursuing an online STEM degree:

1. Check the curriculum, faculty, and support services to ensure they fit your goals.
2. Stay connected in online forums, group projects, and virtual labs.
3. Look for online colleges with networking and career services.
4. Ask if the school offers any online STEM scholarships.
5. Ensure that the online program includes hands-on learning experiences like internships and simulations.

Top Scholarships for Online STEM Students

Online STEM scholarships can be a game-changer for students studying STEM subjects online. Here are some of the most popular online STEM scholarships:

National Science Foundation Scholarships

The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers some of the best and most generous science and technology scholarships. They grant scholarships of up to $8,000 to a select group of up to 25 students each year. NSF Scholars receive additional support, including:

• advising on engineering curriculum
• tutoring from faculty in math, physics, computer science, and engineering.

The program emphasizes teamwork and includes an Introduction to Engineering course covering academic success strategies, the engineering profession, and teamwork skills.

Eligibility requirements:

• Maintain full-time student status at an accredited university.
• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Must major in Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Mathematics, or Computer Science.
• Meet specific financial criteria and file a FAFSA.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (freshmen) or minimum GPA of 3.0 (continuing student).

Society of Women Engineers Scholarships

STEM is still a male-dominated field. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is dedicated to supporting women by offering various engineering and math scholarships.

SWE Scholarships are for women pursuing ABET-accredited undergraduate or graduate programs in engineering and related fields. In 2023, SWE awarded over $1,500,000 in more than 330 scholarships. SWE has also expanded to offer scholarships in India for women enrolled in SWE India Affiliate schools or Washington Accord-accredited programs.

The Google Lime Scholarship

The Google Lime Scholarship is among the top scholarships for online education for undergraduate students with disabilities. You must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen pursuing a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree to qualify.

The 2024 Google Lime Scholarship offers $10,000 for U.S. students and $5,000 for Canadian students. Eligible candidates must be:

• current undergraduates with a disability
• enrolled full-time
• have strong academic performance

Previous Google Lime Scholars are ineligible to apply. Scholarship recipients will receive the funds directly for tuition and education-related expenses, and eligibility and enrollment will be verified before payment.

NASA Scholarships and Fellowships

NASA’s financial aid for STEM students aims to support their STEM Engagement goals and help academic institutions improve education and development. It provides funding and opportunities for students and researchers in science and engineering to advance their studies and careers.

Some of the opportunities for aspiring scientists and engineers include:

• NASA Fellowship Activity
• NASA Research Opportunities
• NASA Internships
• NASA $4,000 Scholarship Programs

Other Notable Scholarships

You should apply for as much funding for online STEM programs as you can. This will help lower your out-of-pocket expenses and give you a better return on your investment. Here are other well-regarded scholarships for specialized programs in the STEM field:

American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) Awards

• Eligibility: AIAA student members in good standing; the education plan must align with AIAA’s scientific or engineering fields.
• Amount: $500 to $5,000

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Scholarships

• Eligibility: Students studying civil engineering or a closely related field must be an ASCE student member.
• Amount: $2,500 to $5,000

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Scholarships

• Eligibility: Current ASME student members in good standing studying mechanical or mechanical engineering technology or a related field.
• Amount: $1,500 to $13,000

ASHRAE Undergraduate Engineering Scholarships

• Eligibility: Full-time engineering or pre-engineering students in HVAC&R-related programs must be enrolled at a school with an active ASHRAE Student Branch.
• Amount: $3,000 to $10,000

LabRoots STEM Scholarships

• Eligibility: Bachelor’s and master’s degree students pursuing STEM degrees; requires an education/research proposal.
• Amount: $2,000 to $3,000

National Society of High School Scholars STEM Scholarships (NSHSS)

• Eligibility: High school seniors pursuing a STEM degree must submit a personal statement.
• Amount: $1,000

Scholarship America Dream Award

• Eligibility: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients; enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited two- or four-year institution; STEM students are specifically encouraged.
• Amount: $5,000 to $15,000

STEM Teacher Graduate Scholarships

• Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students pursuing teaching credentials/licensure for STEM subjects.
• Amount: $2,500 to $5,000

NextStepU STEM Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students pursuing STEM degrees must be a registered user of NextStepU.com and submit a brief essay.
• Amount: $1,500

Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Scholarship Awards

• Eligibility: Students within two years of earning a bachelor’s in science or engineering must be full-time at an accredited four-year institution.
• Amount: $4,000

How to Apply for STEM Scholarships

There are hundreds of college funding for STEM disciplines. However, they are often extremely competitive. It requires excellent organizational skills and attention to detail to stand out in the application process.

Here are quick tips on preparing a strong application:

Gather the essentials.

To start your scholarship applications, ensure you have an updated resume or CV, recent transcripts, and reference contact information with their permission. Be prepared to modify these documents based on specific application requirements, such as obtaining official transcripts.

Organize and track details.

To manage multiple applications, use a spreadsheet or notebook to track:

• Application name and link
• Contact person
• Submission deadline
• Required materials
• Next steps
• Submission date (if applicable)

Choose a system that helps you stay organized and monitor your progress.

Write flexibly.

Scholarship committees evaluate many applications, and the essay can be a key differentiator between similarly qualified candidates. A common essay question is, “Why do you deserve this scholarship?”

To craft a strong statement, focus on:

• Honesty: Avoid plagiarism and embellishment.
• Relevance: Ensure your content relates to the scholarship theme.
• Insightfulness: Share unique qualities not covered elsewhere in your application.
• Quality Writing: Proofread for grammar and spelling errors.

For time efficiency, create a base version of personal statements or cover letters that can be customized for each application.

Make no room for mistakes.

After gathering your materials, review the scholarship application to ensure all requirements are met, including documents, personal statements, and recommendation letters. Confirm completeness and accuracy before submitting.

Make a copy of all submissions.

Save a copy of each submitted application to keep a record of your answers. This will help address any issues or clarifications that may arise later.

After you submit your materials for online education scholarships, check your email and the FAFSA application portal often for updates. This will help you stay on top of any new steps, document requests, or changes to your application. Respond quickly to any messages from scholarship committees or financial aid offices to avoid delays.

Additional Resources for Online STEM Students

Thanks to the World Wide Web, finding scholarships is now easy. Here are the top search engines where you can flexibly customize your search based on program, academic level, and personal criteria:

1. Scholarships.com
2. Fastweb
3. Cappex
4. Niche
5. Unigo

You can also visit some top STEM professional organizations for more information.

1. Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
2. American Mathematical Society (AMS)
3. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
4. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
5. Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)

Beyond financial aid opportunities, engaging with one or more professional organizations will help you gain access to networking opportunities, professional development, and exclusive resources.

If you’re having a hard time and want to talk with people in the same situation as you, join online forums and support groups for STEM students. Usually, professional organizations provide them, but here are some additional platforms where you can connect with peers and get support:

1. College Confidential
2. The Student Room
3. Reddit/STEMden

Taking the Next Step in Your STEM Education

STEM degrees possess one of the highest and quickest ROI. However, fully capitalizing on these benefits will take a while without the right financial support. It’s important to secure online STEM scholarships due to financial pressures and ensure that you can focus on your studies and career development.

Join professional organizations, use search engines, and ask your financial aid counselor for help. Do whatever you can to secure a scholarship for your education.