Finding scholarships for college engineering students

I'm interested in pursuing an engineering degree and I'm starting to explore scholarships. Are there specific awards that cater to engineering students or tips on how to stand out in applications?

Sure, there are numerous scholarships specifically for students pursuing engineering degrees. These scholarships often originate from engineering societies, corporations, and foundations, though you can also find them through colleges and universities.

The American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers, for instance, are organizations that offer scholarships for engineering students. Similarly, corporations like Lockheed Martin, Xerox, and Intel provide scholarships for students with an interest in engineering. A search in scholarship databases, like Appily or FastWeb, with keywords like "engineering," your specific field of interest, or your demographic information can help narrow down opportunities.

Securing scholarships can be competitive, so standing out is important. Here are some tips:

1. Tailor your application to the scholarship. Understand what the organization values and structure your application to align with that. For example, if the scholarship body values leadership, highlight any leadership roles or initiatives you've undertaken, particularly if they're engineering-related.

2. Showcase your passion for engineering. Demonstrating your interest in engineering can give you an edge. This could include discussing any engineering-related projects you've worked on, clubs you've participated in, or courses you've taken.

3. Get strong recommendation letters. If the scholarship asks for a recommendation, finding someone who can attest to your potential as an engineer—perhaps a teacher in a related field or a mentor from an engineering-focused extracurricular— can make a difference in your application.

4. Check your application thoroughly. No matter how impressive your credentials and passion for engineering are, minor errors, like typos or grammar issues, can undermine your application.

Remember, every bit of funding helps in defraying college costs. So, even if you're applying for a smaller scholarship with a modest award, the effort can be worth it in the end. Best of luck with your applications!