Science scholarships are reserved for scholarship applicants interested in pursuing Bachelor of Science programs or graduate degrees. To qualify for a scholarship opportunity, scholarship applicants have to meet the specified requirements. If you’re interested in a science scholarship but need help navigating the application process, this article will should you how to get a science scholarship.
Science scholarships are available to those studying different science majors, including natural and applied science majors, at undergraduate and graduate levels in the US. We’ve listed the best science scholarships for high school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students to help you get started with your scholarship applications and relieve some of the financial burden of education.
What Is a Science Scholarship?
A science scholarship is a financial award given to students who meet a list of requirements and are interested in pursuing academic study in a scientific discipline. Most science scholarships are awarded to candidates based on their financial background, community involvement, academic merit, leadership skills, and career aspirations. Scholarships are by charities, government bodies, scholastic institutions, and businesses.
Scholarships allow prospective science students to reduce the financial burden of attending a degree program and more easily launch careers in science and technology fields. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition was $36,700 at private four-year colleges from 2019 to 2020. Scholarships play a big part in reducing the cost of education for many students.
Common Science Scholarship Requirements
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Requirement. Most schools require students looking for college-level scholarships to apply for FAFSA before applying for any specific science scholarship. FAFSA enables them to identify and benefit from the financial aid program they are best suited to. Also, some scholarship providers request candidates’ FAFSA records before consideration.
- Admission Requirement. Every scholarship, including need-based and merit-based scholarships, has specific admission requirements. In most cases, you need to be a high school graduate or already enrolled in an undergraduate degree. You also need to meet a specific GPA threshold and be willing to provide your school transcripts.
- Scholarship Application Requirement. This is where you provide details about your personal background, academic record, and work history. A typical online science application comes with empty boxes to fill in missing details and in which you can upload documents such as your resume, personal statement, letter of recommendation, video presentation, or essay.
- Award Requirement. To receive a scholarship, you must meet the scholarship award requirements. In some cases, all you have to do is fill out a form and attach documents to be considered. In other cases, you may need to compete in a challenge or participate in an essay competition. Others might require you to work with your scholarship provider for a stipulated period upon graduation.
- Deadline Requirement. Typical awards usually come with strict deadlines for candidates to meet. While some scholarship providers still consider students who submit after the stipulated deadlines, most don’t. If you want to increase your chances of being considered for a scholarship award, you should submit your application ahead of the deadline.
How to Find Science Scholarships
Finding the right science scholarship can be hard work whether you’re an undergraduate student or a graduate student. However, your search can be a lot more efficient if you go through the right channels. Below are some of the best ways to secure a science scholarship.
Talk to Your High School Counselor
If you don’t want to go through the stress of finding science scholarships that might be the right fit for you, you should talk to your high school counselor. They can provide you with essential details about the most popular and relevant science scholarships and how you can prepare for them. They can also help you review your letters of recommendation and essay before you turn them in.
Contact the Financial Aid Office at Your School of Choice
If you’re already in college and would like to receive annual stipends to cover your tuition cost, try reaching out to your college or technical school’s financial aid office. They can provide you with various science scholarships offered by your department or funded externally, as well as other financing options to help make your education path less financially encumbering.
Search Through the US Department of Labor Scholarship Finder
The US Department of Labor Scholarship Finder provides scholarship hopefuls with the opportunity to discover a wide range of annual awards issued by different organizations and individuals within the country. Aside from scholarship opportunities, you can also discover career resources to help you boost your business and employment opportunities in the labor market.
Tips to Find Science Scholarships for High School Students
Specify Your Science Major and Career Goals
Deciding what science major you’ll be pursuing in college can help you find scholarships more easily. Specifying your major allows you to narrow down your search, as several scholarship programs sponsor students interested in specific science fields. Part of your scholarship application may include detailing your career goals.
Use Scholarship Finders
While several online sources put up scholarship adverts for prospective and current science students, it may be difficult for you to navigate which ones pertain to you. Using a scholarship search tool can help you tailor your search for scholarships most relevant to you and boost your chances of receiving them. Platforms such as the Honors Society Scholarship and Awards Directory or your prospective school’s website can shorten your scholarship search.
Build Up the Scholarship Qualities You Possess
Every scholarship has model applicants in mind. Many scholarships are created with the goal of helping underrepresented communities such as women, people of color, or members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you identify as one or more of these, keep an eye out for scholarships aimed at your demographic. Keep in mind that you can apply for more than one scholarship at a time.
10 Best Science Scholarships in 2022: Overview
| Scholarship Name | Who Is Eligible | Amount Covered |
| ACS-Hach Post Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship | Graduates pursuing master’s degree or Certification in Chemistry Education | $6,000 |
| AISES ESA Scholarship | Undergraduates in STEM or pursuing degrees in Washington, D.C., Florida, Oregon, and California. | $2,000 |
| Edward Lifesciences Foundation Scholarship Program | High School Seniors in Orange County, California or Salt Lake, Utah or Puerto Rico or EL Employee ward. | $2,500 |
| Emily M. Hewitt and Stephen K. Stocking Memorial Scholarship | Undergraduate student or graduate student pursuing an environmental science degree | $3,000 |
| The Heinlein Society Scholarship | Undergraduate female students in engineering, math, biological and physical sciences | $4,000 |
| Intel-AFCEA Diversity Scholarship | Undergraduates and graduates from minority groups in the USA pursuing STEM disciplines | $10,000 (graduate) and $5,000 (undergraduate) |
| Priscilla Carney Jones Scholarship | Undergraduate female in Chemistry discipline | $1,500 or greater |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Undergraduates in science-related disciplines (life science, health science, and medical science) in USA, Canada, and Europe | $1,500 |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Scholarship | Undergraduates or graduates in science disciplines | $10,000 and $5,000 |
| Women in STEM Academic Scholarship | Women pursuing an undergraduate study or graduate study in STEM majors | $3,000 |
Top 10 Science Scholarships: In Detail
1. ACH-Hach Post Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship
- Awarded by: American Chemical Society
- Deadline: April 1st, 2022
The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship is awarded to a candidate who wants to pursue a certification or Master’s Degree in Chemistry Education. They can either receive $3,000 to cover part-time studies or $6,000 to cover tuition for full-time students. The recipient has to commit to a three-year teaching career post-graduation, but will receive mentorship and support during that period.
2. AISES (ESA) Scholarship
- Awarded by: AISES and Environmental Science Associates
- Deadline: May 31st, 2022
In partnership with the Environmental Science Associates, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society offers eligible students who are already pursuing STEM degree programs or would like to attend school in Washington, Oregon, Florida, and California in the 2022 to 2023 academic year the chance to receive $2,000.
The major requirements for this scholarship are a 3.0 GPA. In addition, the applicant must be an American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Indigenous Canadian or have heritage from one of those groups.
3. Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Scholarship Program
- Awarded by: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
- Deadline: April 19th, 2022
As part of the goal to promote careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Scholarship Program was created. This scholarship program awards 12 high school seniors from California, Utah, and Puerto Rico $10,000 to help cover tuition for a four-year college program. This award is usually issued in batches of $2,500 per year.
4. Emily M. Hewitt and Stephen K. Stocking Memorial Scholarship
- Awarded by: Calaveras Big Trees Association
- Deadline: April 15th, 2022
The Calaveras Big Trees Association uses its scholarship program to reward nature lovers for their efforts. To qualify for this $3,000 academic scholarship award, you need to be committed to a degree program or career in an environmental-related field in California. Candidates must submit a career or personal statement, their resume and college transcripts, and an application form.
5. The Heinlein Society Scholarship Program
- Awarded by: The Heinlein Society
- Deadline: April 1st, 2022
The 2022-2023 annual scholarship competition involves writing a 500 to 1,000-word essay. The Heinlein Society Scholarship Committee offers full-time female students enrolled in biological sciences, physical sciences, math, and engineering majors at accredited four-year colleges the opportunity to earn up to four $4,000 bursaries to help cover tuition.
6. Intel-AFCEA Diversity Scholarship
- Awarded by: Intel and AFCEA
- Deadline: May 31st, 2022
Intel Corporation, in partnership with AFCEA International, offers scholarships to STEM undergraduate students and graduate students. They must be from minority groups and be citizens or permanent residents in the United States. Undergraduate students can earn $5,000 and graduate students can earn $10,000 as well as a job offer to work for Intel. To qualify for this scholarship, you need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
7. Priscilla Carney Jones Scholarship
- Awarded by: American Chemical Society
- Deadline: May 1st, 2022
The Priscilla Carney Jones Scholarship is awarded every year to a female student with a minimum GPA of 3.25 enrolled in a chemistry-related degree program. The scholarship amount may be altered, depending on the availability of funds, however, it doesn’t go below $1,500. It is usually paid directly to the financial aid office to cover the recipient’s tuition and fees.
8. Thermo Fisher Scientific Scholarship
- Awarded by: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
- Deadline: May, 5th 2022
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship program offers a total of $40,000 to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in life science disciplines in accredited colleges in the United States. Undergraduates stand the chance to receive a total of $5,000 for their college education and applicants in life science graduate programs can receive up to $10,000.
9. R&D Systems Scholarship
- Awarded by: R&D Systems
- Deadline: July 20th, 2022
Two college students stand the chance to earn two $1,500 awards, one in the fall semester and the other in the spring semester. To apply for this scholarship, candidates are expected to fill out a scholarship application form and upload the application documents. The acceptable fields of study for applicants include life science, health science, or medical science majors.
10. Women in STEM Academic Scholarship
- Awarded by: The BHW Group
- Deadline: April 15th, 2022
The BHW Group Scholarship was designed to enable women to launch STEM careers by providing a $3,000 scholarship to a student who wishes to pursue their bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees at a US-based school within the next academic year. The award will be sent to the school of the recipient to cover a portion of their tuition for the year.
Should I Apply for a Science Scholarship?
Yes, you should. A scholarship can relieve you of some of the financial burden that comes with attending college, especially if it’s a recurring award and can help you to focus on your studies. Some scholarships can directly help you launch a lucrative career in a science field by including job offers in the scholarship package.
With a science degree, you can earn a median salary as high as $69,760, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re not keen on going to university, you can also get a scholarship to attend a bootcamp and launch a science and technology-related career, where you can earn the same median salary or even more.
Science Scholarships FAQ
Yes, you can. There are several types of science student scholarships available. They are usually awarded based on the student’s financial hardship, history of community service, academic performance, and leadership qualities. Applicants interested in a variety of fields can access scholarships that reward academic merit.
A science and technology scholarship is a form of financial assistance awarded to specific students applying to or already enrolled in science and technology-related degree programs who wish to pursue careers in science and technology fields.
Yes, it does. Through the NASA College Scholarship Fund (NCSF) and John Young Scholarship, NASA offers two types of scholarships to dependents of current and retired NASA employees each academic year. The former provides $8,000 to eight scholarship recipients and the latter offers $10,000 to three scholarship recipients.
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A need-based scholarship is a type of scholarship given to a candidate whose family’s financial income falls below a specified income threshold. It can also be seen as a renewable annual scholarship fund awarded to students based on financial need, particularly students from low-income backgrounds, to enable them to cover their college tuition and fees.
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