Navigating the scholarship application process can be daunting, but we’re here to help! The tips below will help you understand eligibility requirements and prepare a strong application for SWE scholarships.
Are You Eligible?
You may be eligible to apply for the SWE Emerging First Year Scholarship if you:
- Plan to be a full-time engineering or computer science student during the 2026–2027 academic year
- Are an incoming college freshman with at least a 3.5 unweighted high school GPA
- Plan to enroll in an ABET-accredited engineering or computer science program (check if your program is ABET-accredited here).
If you answered yes to all of the three statements above, we encourage you to apply!
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Visit SWE’s Scholarship Program page to learn more and start your application. Plus, with just one application, you are considered for all SWE scholarships for which you are eligible.
For quick answers about scholarships, chat with Enginuity, SWE’s 24/7 virtual assistant. Additional guidance is available through the Scholarship Knowledge Base or by emailing scholarships@swe.org.
Tips for Preparing Strong Written Responses
Your written responses are an important part of your application. Use them to clearly explain your interests, experiences, and goals.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t only describe engineering in general terms.
- Do explain why you personally want to become an engineer and what excites you about the field.
- Don’t focus only on activities that are unrelated to engineering.
- Do highlight experiences that show your interest in STEM, leadership, and problem-solving.
- Don’t jump from topic to topic without structure.
- Do organize your ideas clearly and connect your experiences to your future goals.
- Don’t submit essays with grammar or spelling errors.
- Do ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted adult to review your responses before submitting.
- Don’t rely on AI to write your full responses.
- Do let your own voice and experiences shine through.
Additional Tips for Your Application
Read this example of a bad essay to avoid common pitfalls, and check out these additional tips to make your application shine:
- Include your SWENext involvement on your application so reviewers understand your participation and commitment.
- Mention if you helped start a club, team, or organization, and describe the role you played.
- Share your STEM experiences, such as clubs, competitions, community events, research, outreach, or leadership roles. If you organized activities or led a project, highlight that impact.
More Resources and Advice
There are many scholarships available to students pursuing STEM degrees, so it is helpful to explore multiple opportunities. The U.S. Department of Labor has a free scholarship search tool, and school guidance counselors may be aware of additional scholarship opportunities in your local area.
You may also find scholarships through religious organizations, community groups, professional associations, or your parents’ employers. Even if applications are not open yet, it is helpful to start gathering materials early.
Be sure to check out the SWENext YouTube channel for videos about scholarships, financial aid, and the experiences of university students. SWENexters can also join sessions live through the SWENext High School Leadership Academy (SHLA) to hear directly from SWE members who have been in your shoes.
