Engineering Scholarships for New College Students

As someone interested in engineering, I'm curious about scholarships for entering college freshmen who plan to study this field. Any recommendations for scholarships or advice on applying? Is there anything unique about engineering scholarships I should know?

First off, it's great that you're proactively seeking out scholarships! Scholarships for engineering students can come from a variety of sources, including professional societies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and universities themselves.

Some prominent engineering organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) offer scholarships. You might also want to check out corporate scholarships from engineering-focused companies like Boeing, Intel, Siemens, or Lockheed Martin. These scholarships often look for students who are not just academically strong but also are engaged in extracurriculars related to engineering or have demonstrated interest in the engineering field in some way.

For university-specific scholarships, check out the financial aid page or engineering department page of each university you're considering. Some colleges offer engineering-specific scholarships for incoming freshmen. For instance, Georgia Tech's President’s Scholarship Program is a unique opportunity for Georgia residents.

When applying, do remember some scholarships require separate applications, while others just require your FAFSA and admission application. Pay careful attention to the requirements.

Something unique to certain engineering scholarships is they sometimes focus on students who are underrepresented in the field, such as women or minority students. If this applies to you, definitely look into organizations that support these groups.

When you create your scholarship application, emphasize your commitment to engineering as a discipline, not just as a job. Share experiences, projects, or moments that sparked or invigorated your passion for the field. Engineering scholarships often prioritize applicants projecting enthusiasm and commitment, as well as those who can demonstrate how their engineering career will contribute to society or the engineering field.

Witnessing your journey thus far, just remember it is as important to apply early and often and craft your applications to reflect your passion for engineering.

Finally, a unique aspect of some engineering scholarships is that they may offer internships, mentoring, or professional development opportunities along with monetary awards, so make sure to fully understand what's offered when you apply to make the most use of these opportunities.