Recommendations for STEM scholarships for Black females?

I'm a Black female junior interested in pursuing a career in STEM, and I want to start looking into scholarships that might support me on this path. Are there any specific scholarships aimed at encouraging Black females to enter STEM fields? I would greatly appreciate any insights or recommendations on where to apply and how to make my application stand out. Personal experiences with these scholarships could be super inspiring and helpful for me as I plan my next steps.

Responding from the perspective of a high school counselor, definitely. There are many scholarships out there intended to support underrepresented groups in STEM, including Black females.

1. The "Black Girls Code" Scholarship: This organization provides opportunities for girls of color to gain in-demand skills in technology and computer programming.

2. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) also offers various scholarships for African American women in STEM, such as the "Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program." This program offers high-school seniors interested in STEM fields a scholarship that follows them through their undergraduate studies into their STEM careers.

3. The "BAM Scholarship" is another excellent opportunity. It's awarded by Microsoft annually to Black and African American high school students who plan to pursue careers in technology.

To enhance the competitiveness of your application, make sure to emphasize your passion for and commitment to the STEM field. Discuss any relevant experiences you have, from extracurricular activities to internships or projects. If you've faced challenges or shown particular resilience or ingenuity, definitely include those stories as well.

For example, if you're part of your school's robotics club and played a key role in an important project, discuss that experience—what you learned from it, the skills you applied, and how it affirmed your passion for your field of interest.

Additionally, always follow the application instructions carefully and proofread everything thoroughly. Typos or overlooked instructions can work against the otherwise strong candidacy.

Last but not least, start applying as early as you can and aim to apply for multiple scholarships. The application process can be quite lengthy, and having multiple applications in progress increases your chances of securing aid.