According to the Institute for College Access and Success, college graduates held an average of $28,950 in student loans in 2019. Student debt can burden borrowers for years, even with recent policies and programs intended to help lighten the load. For example, income-driven repayment plans can lower graduates' monthly payments, but it may still take 20-25 years to pay off the debt.
Grants, scholarships, and work-study programs can help students reduce their loans. Borrowers should prioritize federal loans, which typically offer better interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than private loans.
With lucrative salaries and high growth potential, computer science jobs can help professionals repay student loans more easily. Software developers, for example, earned a median annual salary of $110,140 as of 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects software developer jobs to grow by 22% from 2020-2030.
Our guide below lists computer science scholarships. These opportunities can help computer science students reduce educational costs. This guide also explores the overall financial aid process to help prospective students plan their education with confidence.
How to Apply for Computer Science Scholarships
This guide covers where to find the best computer science scholarships for 2022. We take a look at application strategies and common requirements. We also discuss different types of computer science scholarships, including awards for undergraduates, graduate students, women, and minority students.
Where to Look for Scholarships
Students can apply for both specific computer science scholarships and general funding opportunities. Look for computer science scholarships by contacting professional organizations, tech businesses, and university computer science departments. For general scholarship research, consult high school counselors and college financial aid offices.
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a free online scholarship search tool. Students can also look for funding opportunities with their state grant agency. See below for more computer science scholarship resources:
- Unigo STEM Scholarships
- Scholarships360 STEM Scholarships
- Computer Science Scholarships at Scholarships.com
Types of Scholarship Sponsors
Thousands of organizations offer or sponsor computer science scholarships. Knowing the different types of sponsorship categories can help students discover more opportunities.
Possible sponsors include professional associations, private companies, plus nonprofit foundations and organizations. Local groups and community organizations may also offer scholarships. Many schools provide institutional scholarships for enrollees.
Companies That Will Pay for Your Degree
Typical Requirements
Scholarship requirements vary by sponsor. Computer science scholarships may limit applicants based on factors like academic performance and financial need. Other common criteria include demographics, career goals, and specialization area. Expected application materials also vary. See below for common eligibility and submission requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Demonstrated financial need
- Full-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science or a related STEM field
Submission Requirements
- Completed application
- Personal essay
- CV or resume
- Official college transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
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Available Scholarships for Computer Science
Our list of computer science scholarships provides many helpful options for students. We include undergraduate and graduate scholarships, plus opportunities for women and minorities in computer science.
Undergraduate Computer Science Scholarships
Betty Stevens Frecknall Scholarship
- This award benefits undergraduates majoring in computer science or a related field. Applicants need an overall and major GPA of at least 3.0. Students must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending an accredited U.S. institution full time.
- Award: Varies
Apply
Google Student Veterans of America Scholarship
- Google offers this scholarship to veterans majoring in computer science or computer engineering in the United States. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply. Applicants must maintain strong academic performance. Students must submit proof of veteran status with an honorable discharge or good standing with their service branch.
- Award: $10,000
- Apply
IEEE Presidents' Scholarship
- This award recognizes an outstanding student project at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Winning projects can relate to computer science, electrical engineering, or another IEEE field of interest. Only fair finalists may qualify for the award.
- Award: $10,000 payable over four years and a complimentary IEEE student membership
- Apply
Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens with demonstrated financial need. Recipients must study or plan to study computer science full time at an accredited school. High school seniors, first-year college students, and college sophomores may apply. Applicants need a 2.5 GPA or above and should be interested in a paid internship with Lockheed Martin.
- Award: $10,000 (renewable for up to $40,000 total)
- Apply
National Society of High School Scholars STEAM Scholarship
- This award supports high school seniors planning to major in a STEAM discipline. The application requires an academic resume, an educator recommendation, and current transcripts. Applicants must also submit a color headshot and an 500- to 800-word essay.
- Award: $1,000
- Apply
Palantir Future Scholarship
- This scholarship benefits students who identify as members of a racial or ethinc minority. Applicants must attend a bachelor's program in computer science or a related field at an accredited university. Recipients can take part in a remote professional development program.
- Award: $7,000
- Apply
Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship
- The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society offers this scholarship to recognize student leadership. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students in computer science and related fields can apply. Applicants need a 2.5 GPA or higher and must hold active membership in an IEEE student chapter.
- Award: $1,000 and up
- Apply
Upsilon Pi Epsilon Scholarship Award
- This scholarship accepts undergraduate and graduate applicants who belong to a UPE chapter. Application materials include a UPE advisor recommendation and a statement describing university and UPE chapter involvement. Each UPE chapter may submit one undergraduate and one graduate application.
- Award: $1,000-$3,000
- Apply
UPE/Association for Computing Machinery Scholarship Award
- Applicants must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students in computing and information disciplines. They must also hold membership in an ACM student chapter. Students should demonstrate excellent academic performance and strong faculty recommendations.
- Award: $1,000
- Apply
Graduate Computer Science Scholarships
(ISC)² Graduate Scholarship Program
- Applicants must attend a graduate program focused on information assurance or cybersecurity. Application requirements include one letter of recommendation and a resume or CV. Students must also submit completed essay questions and unofficial transcripts showing a minimum 3.5 GPA.
- Award: $1,000-$5,000
- Apply
American Association for the Advancement of Science Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
- Fellows work as science journalists for ten weeks in the summer. The program accepts undergraduates, graduate students, and postgraduates in computer science and other STEM fields. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold visas allowing them to complete paid summer work.
- Award: $8,000 stipend plus travel expenses
- Apply
DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
- The Department of Energy awards this fellowship to students planning full-time doctoral study in computer science and other STEM fields. Application requirements include official transcripts, a green card or U.S. citizenship, references, and a completed program of study.
- Award: Full tuition and fees; $38,000 yearly stipend; $1,000 annual professional development allowance;12-week research practicum experience (renewable up to four years)
- Apply
ISA Educational Foundation Scholarships
- These scholarships support full-time undergraduate and graduate students with a 2.5 GPA or above. Applicants should show potential to contribute to the control and automation fields. Required materials include letters of recommendation and transcripts.
- Award: Varies
- Apply
The National Gem Consortium Ph.D. Engineering and Science Fellowship
- This award benefits undergraduate seniors and graduate students in accredited applied science or engineering programs at GEM member schools. Applicants must belong to a group underrepresented in science and engineering. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and hold a 3.0 GPA or higher. The fellowship requires an internship with a GEM employer the summer after sponsorship.
- Award: Full tuition and fees plus a $16,000 stipend for the first year of the fellowship
- Apply
Computer Science Scholarships for Women
Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship
- This scholarship accepts applications from currently enrolled undergraduates and master's candidates. Applicants must identify as female and major in computer science or a related field. The scholarship requires a strong academic record and proof of leadership and participation in school and community activities.
- Award: $10,000, one-year Creative Cloud subscription membership, and internship interview at Adobe
- Apply
Buildium Women in Technology Scholarship
- Applicants must identify as women and attend an accredited undergraduate or graduate STEM program in the U.S. or Canada. Students must hold good academic standing at their institution. Required materials include an essay, transcripts, and a short video.
- Award: $2,500
- Apply
Generation Google Scholarship for Women in Gaming
- This scholarship encourages women to pursue degrees in gaming. Applicants must attend or plan to attend a full-time, gaming-related program. Graduate and undergraduate students may qualify. Other criteria include financial need, a strong academic record, and leadership potential.
- Award: $10,000
- Apply
Honeywell Scholarship
- The Society of Women Engineers offers this scholarship to women studying computer science and related disciplines. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and members of the Society of Women Engineers. The award requires a 3.5 GPA or above. Members of underrepresented groups and applicants with financial need receive preference.
- Award: $5,000
- Apply
Explore More Scholarships for Women
Computer Science Scholarships for Minority Students
Accenture Native American Scholarship Fund
- Members of an American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group pursuing a computer science degree may qualify for this scholarship. Applicants need a 3.25 GPA or above. Incoming, full-time first-year students can apply. Recipients can renew their award for up to four years.
- Award: Varies
- Apply
AFCEA Undergraduate Diversity Scholarship
- Women and minority STEM majors (including computer science) with at least a 3.0 GPA can apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The scholarship encourages applications from students at historically Black colleges and universities.
- Award: $3,000
- Apply
Generation Google Scholarship (North America)
- Computer science majors committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion can apply. Applicants should show financial need and a strong academic record. Required materials include a resume or CV, transcripts, and essay responses. Students must also submit family and household information. Google encourages applications from members of groups underrepresented in the tech industry.
- Award: $10,000
- Apply
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- This scholarship accepts applications from high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students of Hispanic heritage. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and must plan to enroll in a four-year, accredited U.S. school. Students should submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms. U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, and DACA recipients may qualify.
- Award: $500-$5,000; Access to scholar support and career services
- Apply
Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship
- This scholarship provides funding for women and minority students. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in the second semester of a STEM graduate program (including computer science). Application requirements include a 3.5 GPA or higher, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a resume.
- Award: $3,000
- Apply
Other Financial Aid for Computer Science Degrees
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 86% of students at four-year colleges used financial aid during the 2018-2019 school year. However, only 58% received scholarships in the same period, according to Sallie Mae. While scholarships can cover a significant part of your degree costs, learners can also access other aid options.
Degree-seekers can apply for work-study programs and private or federal loans. Education tax credits can also help reduce educational costs. Learn more about how to pay for a degree here.
Grants provide another way for students to cover computer science degree expenses. Since these awards are similar to scholarships, we explore grant options below.
Computer Science Grants
Like scholarships, grants do not need to be repaid. Students usually qualify for grants based on financial need rather than merit.
Students can apply for Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. State governments, universities, and private and nonprofit organizations may also offer grants.
Computer science students can also pursue research grants. Organizations offering research grants typically fund projects that match their missions. Applicants must usually submit a research proposal.
The National Science Foundation provides a funding search tool for computer science and engineering students. The IEEE Foundation invites grant applicants to submit projects for certain themes each year.
Find scholarships for LGBTQ computer science students
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Questions About Financial Aid
Are there scholarships for computer science?
Yes. Undergraduate and graduate students can qualify for many computer science scholarships. Scholarship funding sources include foundations, corporations, nonprofit groups, and universities.When should I start applying to scholarships?
Start the scholarship search for computer science programs early. Many organizations offer computer science scholarships for high school seniors.What kind of scholarships are available for computer science?
A variety of scholarships support computer science majors. Many organizations offer scholarships based on criteria like academic merit, financial need, and identity. Students can find minority computer science scholarships and computer science scholarships for women.How do you get a computer science scholarship?
Students can get computer science scholarships by applying for the awards that best match their strengths. Make sure to get strong letters of recommendation and spend time personalizing each application.FAQs
How can I get free scholarships? ›
- Consider your chances. ...
- Check if you need to apply and what the deadline is. ...
- Find out when you'll know if you're successful for an award. ...
- Share your information with Student Finance. ...
- Keep your eyes open for opportunities. ...
- Take care with your application. ...
- Be realistic.
- $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship.
- $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay.
- $2,500 Christian Connector Scholarship.
- $5,000 Graduate School Scholarship.
- $2,000 College Repayment Grant.
- Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship.
- Annual Catholic College Scholarship.
Germany. A particularly popular country for admission among students from all over the world. No wonder: In Germany almost all universities are free of charge and the country's largest scholarship fund — DAAD — provides a scholarship to cover living expenses.
Which country easily gives scholarship? ›United States: The most popular country for scholarship awards, the United States boasts over 1,500 scholarships and awards available. Scholarships in the United States are typically offered by colleges and universities, but there are also a number of private scholarships available.
In which country I can get full scholarship? ›- Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA) ...
- British Chevening Scholarships (UK) ...
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland) ...
- Swedish Scholarships for International Students (Sweden) ...
- VLIR-UOS Training and Masters Scholarships (Belgium) ...
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
Some scholarship committees only consider applicants whose GPA meets a certain threshold. Minimum requirements range from around 2.0 on the lower end to 3.75 or higher for competitive academic scholarships. Generally speaking, a 3.0 GPA or higher will give you a decent shot at qualifying for a variety of scholarships.
What GPA do most scholarships require? ›One of the most common grade point average requirements is a 3.0 average. (Again, every scholarship provider is different and it's up to them to set their eligibility criteria, not us.) While some scholarships are based on a student's GPA, most scholarship aren't only about a student's GPA.
What is the best place to begin looking for scholarships? ›- the financial aid office at a college or career school.
- a high school or TRIO counselor.
- the U.S. Department of Labor's FREE scholarship search tool.
- federal agencies.
- your state grant agency.
- your library's reference section.
- Rhodes Scholarship.
- Fullbright Scholarship.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
- Princeton Scholarship.
- Mitchell Scholarship.
- Churchill Scholarship.
- Marshall Scholarship.
- Jardine Scholarship.
- Monash University 2023 Sir John Monash Scholarships for Excellence for International Students. ...
- Kansas State University 2023 Future student scholarships. ...
- Meta 2023 Elevate Coursera Scholarship for International Students.
Which university gives free scholarships in USA? ›
Stanford University Scholarships
Stanford University Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for Masters and Ph. D studies. This scholarship is offering full tuition fees, traveling allowance, Living allowance and academic expenses.
Study in the Nordic countries for free
Nordic nations Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden all offer opportunities to study free or at low cost: In Norway, university study is available free of charge to all students, regardless of study level or nationality.
...
Living Cost.
| Countries | Average Living Expenses (in Lakh) |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 5.47 |
| Singapore | 3.62 |
| Germany | 3.77 |
| France | 3.77 |
- Fullbright Scholarships. ...
- The American Association of University Women International Fellowship. ...
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Scholarships For International Students. ...
- Chevening Scholarships | Scholarships For International Students.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are granted for graduate study in any subject at Cambridge to international students all over the world and covers university fees, maintenance allowance, air fare allowance, etc.
Which college gives the most scholarships to international students? ›| School (state) | Number of international students who received aid during 2021-2022 |
|---|---|
| Wesleyan University (CT) | 92 |
| Dartmouth College (NH) | 327 |
| Duke University (NC) | 174 |
| Stanford University (CA) | 245 |
Full-ride academic scholarship: Be at the top of your class with a great GPA, take AP/honors classes, and get perfect (or close to perfect) SAT or ACT scores. Along with academic merit, it also helps to also have leadership skills or community involvement, too (see below).
Which country study visa is easy to get? ›A: Undoubtedly, you need to put some effort to acquire a student visa for any country, however, the most prominent options to accomplish easy attainment of student visa as an Indian student are Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
How can I study in USA for free? ›...
How to Study for Free in the USA?
- Prepare an Excellent Application.
- Attend Tuition-Free Universities.
- Apply for Scholarships.
- Look for Part-Time Job Opportunities.
Scholarships
Top Countries That Offer the Most scholarships
Top countries offering scholarships to pursue higher education
Are scholarships free money? ›
Both scholarships and grants for college are free money to help you pay for your education. Unlike student loans, you don't have to pay back college grants or scholarships, except under certain circumstances, like withdrawing early from a program or a change in your enrollment status.
Which country gives full free scholarship? ›Germany. A particularly popular country for admission among students from all over the world. No wonder: In Germany almost all universities are free of charge and the country's largest scholarship fund — DAAD — provides a scholarship to cover living expenses.
Is a full scholarship free? ›What is a full ride scholarship? A full ride scholarship is an award that covers all expenses related with college. This includes tuition, books, fees, room and board, and possibly even living costs. The goal is to remove any need for additional financial aid.
Does 100% scholarship mean free? ›A full-tuition scholarship covers the full cost of your tuition, but generally, it doesn't cover any of a student's other expenses. These fees could amount to thousands of dollars: housing costs, book costs, study abroad fees, and lab class fees.
When should you start applying for scholarships? ›Some deadlines are as early as a year before college starts, so if you're in high school now, you should be researching and applying for scholarships during the summer between your junior and senior years.
What happens to your scholarships if you don't go to college? ›The scholarship will expire, and you will have to find another program once you decide to return to your studies.
Which country is easiest to get scholarship? ›- Germany. A particularly popular country for admission among students from all over the world. ...
- France. ...
- Italy. ...
- Czech Republic. ...
- Hungary. ...
- China.
Study in the Nordic countries for free
Nordic nations Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden all offer opportunities to study free or at low cost: In Norway, university study is available free of charge to all students, regardless of study level or nationality.
- Fullbright Scholarships. ...
- The American Association of University Women International Fellowship. ...
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Scholarships For International Students. ...
- Chevening Scholarships | Scholarships For International Students.
One of the most common grade point average requirements is a 3.0 average. (Again, every scholarship provider is different and it's up to them to set their eligibility criteria, not us.) While some scholarships are based on a student's GPA, most scholarship aren't only about a student's GPA.
How many scholarships does the average student apply for? ›
Scholarship Winner Application Averages
For those that want solid numbers, on average, many of the students I work with are applying for anywhere between 3-7+ scholarships, each, per week. Some weeks those numbers are much higher, and other weeks students are preparing or taking the week off to recharge mentally.
- University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) ...
- Duke University (Durham, North Carolina) ...
- Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) ...
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana) ...
- Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia)
The financial aid awarded based on the FAFSA can be used to pay for the college's full cost of attendance, which includes tuition and fees. While it is possible for student financial aid to cover full tuition, in practice it will fall short.
What does a full financial aid cover? ›Federal student aid from ED covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care.
How can I get full scholarship in USA? ›Fulbright Scholarships USA
Fulbright Scholarships are fully funded scholarships for international students. These scholarships are only offered for masters and PhD studies. Fulbright Foreign Student Program covers full tuition fee, a living stipend, full accommodation fee, airfare and health insurance.
