As an engineering student, scholarships for engineering students offer a useful source of college funding.
Scholarships for Engineering Students from Organizations
Many engineering organizations offer scholarships for engineering students. These scholarships are often available for members only, but membership may be a small price to pay for the potential funding.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The America Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) was founded in 1880 and has over 120,000 members. They set internationally recognized codes and standards to enhance public safety. Their goal is to be the premier organization for promoting the art, science, and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering. ASME offers scholarships and low-interest loans to college and university student members. Their website offers more information on the scholarship application process.
National Society for Professional Engineers
The National Society for Professional Engineers (NSPE), founded in 1934, has members in 53 states and territories and supports more than 500 chapters. The NPSE offers several different scholarships:
- The Virginia D. Henry Memorial Scholarship is awarded to female students enrolled in community or junior colleges who have already been accepted to a transfer school.
- The Auxiliaries Scholarship is designated for female sophomores.
- The Professional Engineers in Industry Scholarship is offered to students who have been sponsored by a member of NSPE.
- The Albert H. Miller, P.E., F.NSPE, Memorial Scholarship is available only to undergraduates entering their junior year at the University of Arkansas.
- The William H. Bailey Jr. Memorial Scholarship assists African-American students who reside in the Bronx, NY, and have completed a year of engineering coursework.
- NSPE Scholarships for Students in Indiana are awarded to three college students who reside in Indiana.
SAE Foundation
The SAE Foundation was founded in 1986 and nurtures students' enthusiasm for science and technology in education. They try to build bridges between corporate sponsors and classrooms, giving engineers, teachers, and students a chance to work together and learn. They offer a number of corporate sponsored scholarships:
- The Detroit Section SAE Technical Scholarship is available only to students who are children or grandchildren of SAE Detroit Section members.
- SAE Engineering Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who are interested in studying engineering or a related science.
- SAE Long Term Member Sponsored Scholarships are offered to junior SAE members to help them pay for their senior years.
- Siegel Service Technology Scholarships assist second-year students enrolled at Montana Technical College.
- The Yanmar/SAE Scholarship helps senior or post-graduate engineering students.
- The William G. Belfry Memorial/SAE Grant is available to citizens of Canada who will be entering their senior year of full-time undergraduate engineering studies at a Canadian university.
- The Ralph K. Hillquist Honorary SAE Scholarship is awarded to full-time junior undergraduate students.
Scholarships for Minorities
Many scholarships are available for minorities, but there are specialized scholarships for engineering students who are minorities. The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) provides leadership and support for African America, American Indian, and Latino men and women who are interested in engineering degrees and career. They offer scholarship through partner schools with their Block Grant Program. They also offer the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Minority Ph.D. Program which offers scholarships to minority engineering students working towards a Ph.D. in engineering, natural science, or mathematics.
Scholarships from Schools
Don't forget to check with the financial aid department of the school you're interested in attending to find out if the school offers any scholarships for engineering students. Often, the school will have scholarships available only through the financial aid office. The University of Washington's College of Engineering, for example, has four different engineering scholarships.
Scholarship Clearinghouse Websites
Another potential source of engineering scholarships is scholarship clearinghouse websites:
- FastWeb is owned by Monster and claims to be "the most complete source" of scholarships, listing over 1.3 million scholarships. After you fill out a profile, they show scholarships and grants that are directly related to your personal information and educational goals. They even send you e-mails when new scholarships and grants that match your profile are added to the site.
- Engineering Education Service Center is constantly under construction, adding new information and new scholarships. They list scholarships for women, minorities, students attending specific schools, and others.
