I'm currently a high school junior planning to major in a STEM field, but I'm concerned about the costs for college. I've heard there are specific scholarships available for students pursuing STEM majors, and I'm definitely interested in applying for these. Could anyone share some of the best scholarships for STEM majors or any tips on how to boost my chances of receiving one? Are there any lesser-known opportunities that I should look into? I appreciate any advice or personal experiences you guys have!
Definitely, there are quite a few scholarships designed specifically for students pursuing STEM majors, and I'm glad to list some noteworthy ones here:
1. Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology: This is one of the most prestigious science competitions in the U.S, offering scholarships between $1,000 to $100,000. The competition requires a high level of original scientific research.
2. Regeneron Science Talent Search: This is another nationally recognized competition for high school seniors, previously known as the "Westinghouse" and "Intel" competitions, and awards range from $2,000 to $250,000.
3. SMART Scholarship Program: SMART stands for Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation. This scholarship is unique because it's not just about finances—it also includes a summer internship and a job after graduation at a Department of Defense facility.
4. National Merit Scholarship Program: Although not specifically for STEM, a large number of National Merit Scholars tend to be STEM students, given the high involvement in Math and Science academic interests.
To enhance your chances of securing these scholarships, try to maintain a strong academic record, and stay highly involved in your chosen STEM field. This could be through relevant extracurriculars, independent projects, research internships, and science competitions. You could consider joining a math, science, or robotics club, or even starting a coding project or science experiment independently.
For lesser-known opportunities, you could explore state-specific and local scholarships or those provided by individual colleges. These might have fewer applicants than national scholarships, increasing your chances of securing the scholarship. So, it's worth exploring these avenues too!
Additionally, platforms like Appily allow you to filter for scholarships by categories (like STEM), so they might help you find more specialized or lesser-known scholarships. It's always a good idea to cast your net wide when applying for scholarships! Good luck!
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