The Ultimate Guide to Scholarships for Software Engineering Students 

Research shows that diverse teams are not only much smarter and creative but also more productive and profitable. Put simply, diversity in the workplace is now a must-have. Despite this, the tech industry remains sorely lacking in diversity and inclusion, in part due to a lack of access to proper software engineering education. To address this inequality, tech companies and coding bootcamps are now offering software engineering scholarships. 

These scholarships create a win-win solution for both parties. On one hand, the scholarships can increase representation in tech and encourage underprivileged communities to pursue careers in this field. On the other, the increased supply of software developers coming out of these scholarships can help meet the growing demand for skilled software engineers.     

If you’re interested in pursuing a tech career but need financial assistance, you’re in luck. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of software engineering scholarships you can apply for. Plus, we’ve included all the key details to help you figure out which scholarships you’re eligible for.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Software Engineer?

Before we get started, let’s see how much it actually costs to become a software engineer.

There are various routes to becoming a software engineer, each with its own price tag. The traditional and most expensive option is earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering, which can average around $19,806 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). 

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative but still with the rigorous training included, coding bootcamps are available with costs ranging from $9,000 to $14,000. Finally, if you’re on a really tight budget, you can find some free online coding courses and coding workshops that can give you a solid foundation in software engineering.

Top Software Engineering Scholarships for High School and College Students

Software Engineering Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligible Grades	Eligibility Requirements
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship	$40,000 ($10,000/year)	High school senior	US citizen, permanent resident, or employment authorized to work in the United States Planning to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field A minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA Must demonstrate financial need
Google Lime Scholarship	$10,000 (for those studying in the US); CAD 5,000 (for those studying in Canada)	Current undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. at an accredited university	Has a visible or invisible disability Must intend to or already pursuing a degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related tech field Must show a strong academic record
Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship	$10,000 (renewable up to 3 times)	High school senior; or a freshman, sophomore, or a junior undergraduate student	US citizen Must demonstrate financial need Currently enrolled or planning to enroll full time at an accredited university for a STEM field of study A GPA of at least 2.5
Apple HBCU Scholars Program	$15,000	Current graduate, Ph.D. students, or undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors pursuing a fifth year of study	Must be enrolled full-time at a 4-year accredited HBCU Prior internship or leadership experience Authorized to work in the US
Women at Microsoft Scholarship	Up to $5,000 (renewable for up to 4 years)	High school senior	Identifies as a woman or non-binary A high school GPA of at least 3.0 Plan to attend an accredited university Wish to be involved in a STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Math) field
Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarship	$20,000 scholarships to 5 students, distributed over 4 years ($5,000 per year)$2,500 one-time scholarships to 45 students	High school senior	Must be of African descent Plan to attend a four-year college or university and pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or select business programs Must demonstrate a passion for tech and leadership skills Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 Requires financial assistance to attend college
SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program	Full-tuition assistance and annual stipends between $30,000 and $46,000	Undergraduate and graduate students	Citizen of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand At least 18 years old Requesting at least 1 year of degree funding prior to graduation Willing to accept post-grad employment with the US Department of Defense Must be pursuing a degree at an accredited university
Society of Women Engineers	Check website for latest updates	Undergraduate through PhD students	Must identify as a woman Planning to study an ABET-accredited program in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science Must not be fully funded for tuition and other fees

Many companies offer software engineering scholarships to help the next generation of developers gain the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field. These scholarships often come with other perks, such as mentorship programs, internships, and networking events to give students a well-rounded learning experience.

Below, we explore some well-known companies that offer these scholarships and shed light on the application process and eligibility criteria.

1. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship

The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship is available to 400 senior high school students or recent graduates in the US who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field. 

This scholarship offers $40,000 in total ($10,000 per year) to eligible students and even includes the chance to complete a paid summer internship at Amazon. Interning at this tech giant is a great first step if you hope to get a job with Amazon in the future. 

How to Apply for the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship

You must submit the following required documents: 

• A 250-word response to three questions that ask about your career goals, personal objectives, and general background
• An online recommendation from a teacher, preferably one who teaches computer science, hardware engineering, or robotics
• Your high school transcript, which should show a cumulative GPA of at least 2.3
• A copy of your household’s most recently filed IRS 1040 form/s 

2. Google Lime Scholarship

The Google Lime Scholarship is offered by Google in collaboration with Lime Connect, a nonprofit organization for students with disabilities. The scholarship seeks to assist students with disabilities in pursuing careers in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field. 

Eligible candidates studying in the US will receive $10,000, while those studying in Canada will receive CAD 5,000. Depending on the school year, you may also get the chance to attend a Google Lime Scholars gathering and be considered for an internship at Google.

How to Apply for the Google Lime Scholarship

You must complete an online application through Lime Connect. This application will ask for the following: 

• Your general background information
• Academic transcript
• A letter of recommendation from a professor
• Resume/CV 
• Three essays in response to given prompts

3. Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship

Every year, Lockheed Martin awards $10,000 to 200 students who are passionate about STEM education and planning to or currently attending a four-year college or university. Even better, recipients can apply for scholarship renewal up to three times for a total value of $40,000 per student. You may also be considered for a paid internship at Lockheed Martin, although this is not guaranteed.

How to Apply for the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship

You must submit the following documents:

• A copy of your household’s most recently filed IRS 1040 form/s
• Academic transcript, which shows a GPA of at least 2.5
• A recommendation letter from your professor or supervisor

Lockheed Martin’s partner, Scholarship America, conducts an independent review of the applications with your financial need, background, and academic performance as key metrics.

4. Apple HBCU Scholars Program

The Apple HBCU Scholars Program was developed in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to assist students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Recipients will receive a $15,000 scholarship, which they can use to pay for their tuition, room and board, and other school fees.

Plus, Apple scholars will participate in a 12-week summer internship at Apple and receive personalized career guidance and mentorship from an Apple employee. Unlike the other scholarship programs on this list, there is no GPA requirement for the Apple HBCU Scholars Program. Nonetheless, the application process is highly competitive, so having a strong academic record is definitely an advantage.

How to Apply for the Apple Scholars Program

You should have a digital copy of the following documents when you submit your application:

• An HBCU enrollment verification form
• Most recent academic transcript
• Resume/CV
• An essay of 500 words or less answering a given prompt

Women at Microsoft Scholarship

As the name implies, this scholarship is meant to empower women and non-binary students to take space in the tech industry. Don’t worry if you’re not planning on pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) field of study. The selection committee is more interested in your future involvement in STEAM fields and your passion for all things tech.

The scholarship award can go as high as $5,000, which may be renewed each year for four years. You can put this money toward your tuition and other fees, or use it to cover your room and board. That said, the payments will be sent directly to the university you attend. Also, it’s worth mentioning that you don’t need to be a US citizen to qualify for the scholarship, as long as you attend a university based in the US.

How to Apply for the Women at Microsoft Scholarship

The application is open every year from January until March. To apply, you must complete an online application and submit the following:

• A summary of information that outlines your community engagements, leadership involvements, and academic achievements
• Academic transcript
• An online recommendation letter from a teacher or advisor
• Work experience
• A personal statement about your personal and professional goals
  

5. BAM (Blacks at Microsoft) Scholarship

Another Microsoft initiative, the BAM scholarship is specifically aimed at aspiring Black technologists. This year, 50 students were awarded scholarships totaling $212,500. Five of these students will receive $20,000 each spread over four years, while the remaining 45 students will receive a one-time scholarship of $2,500.  Additionally, recipients of the BAM scholarship will automatically be considered for an internship at Microsoft.

How to Apply for the BAM (Blacks at Microsoft) Scholarship

To be considered, you must complete an online application form and submit the following documents:

• At least one recommendation letter from a faculty or staff member at your high school
• Current academy transcript 
• One essay of no more than 500 words, explaining how you plan to get involved in the tech industry in your future career

6. SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is backed by the US Department of Defense (DoD). It offers comprehensive support to students pursuing degrees in 24 STEM disciplines, such as computer science and engineering, data science and analytics, and cybersecurity. 

The program also provides full-tuition assistance, an annual stipend, internship opportunities, and guaranteed employment with the DoD after graduation.

How to Apply for the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

Application for this program is open every year from August 1st to December 1st. To apply, you need to complete the registration page, which will grant you access to the Application Portal. Before submitting your application, make sure you have prepared the following:

• General background information
• Details on your chosen field of study
• A 500- to 1,000-word personal statement, which includes a summary of your educational and professional goals and interests
• Your academic background, professional experiences, community/leadership experiences, awards and honors, and publications or presentations if applicable
• At least two references
• Most recent academic transcript
  

7. Society of Women Engineers Scholarship

This scholarship targets aspiring tech professionals who identify as women. The initiative is spearheaded by the Society of Women Engineers, which has been operating for over 70 years in a bid to encourage women to explore traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering and computer science.

How to Apply for the Society of Women Engineers Scholarship

To apply, you must follow the steps below:

1. Create an account to access the online application system.
2. Provide your profile information in full.
3. Check your email to verify your registration.
4. Once you’re in, select your class level. 
5. Complete and review your application.
6. Submit any additional requirements, including contact information for a faculty reference and a personal reference.

So, there you have it! We’ve explored the top software engineering scholarships for high school and post-secondary students. Next up, let’s take a quick look at the best coding bootcamp scholarships.

Top Coding Bootcamp Scholarships for Aspiring Software Engineers 

If you’re interested in becoming a software engineer but don’t want to pursue the traditional college route, there’s good news. Coding bootcamps offer affordable and shorter-term training options, and many of them even offer coding scholarships to eligible students. Here’s an overview of the scholarship opportunities you can apply for.

1. App Academy Scholarships

Black Genius Academy

• Amount awarded: Full-tuition assistance
• Eligibility requirements: 
  • For candidates who identify as Black or African-American
  • Must have passed the non-technical interview
  • Submitted proof of acceptance to App Academy’s Online, Full-Time Software Engineering Program or Online, Part-Time Software Engineering Program

Facebook Access Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Up to 50% of tuition
• Eligibility requirements:
  • Must identify as female or an underrepresented minority in tech
  • Must reside in San Jose, California
  • Must be accepted into any of App Academy’s Online or San Francisco-based Software Engineering programs
    

2. Codesmith Scholarships

Black Engineers Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Contact Codesmith’s admissions team for more information.
• Eligibility requirements: For candidates who identify as Black or African-American

International Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Contact Codesmith’s admissions team for more information.
• Eligibility requirements: For non-US citizens or residents 

Community Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Contact Codesmith’s admissions team for more information.
• Eligibility requirements:
  • Must demonstrate active participation in Codesmith spaces, including CSX and public workshops
  • Must be nominated by Codesmith peers

Eddie Windsor Coding Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Up to 50% of tuition
• Eligibility requirements:
  • For incoming LGBTQ+ women and non-binary students
  • Must be enrolled in any of Codesmith’s immersive programs
    

3. Hackbright Academy Coding Scholarships

Hackbright Changemaker Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Up to 50% of tuition
• Eligibility requirements: Must demonstrate strong technical skills and commitment to pursuing a software engineering career

Hackbright Prep Grad Scholarship

• Amount awarded: $1,000
• Eligibility requirements: Must complete Hackbright Academy’s 5-week prep course.
  

4. Coding Dojo Scholarships

Career Reinvention Scholarship

• Amount awarded: $1,000
• Eligibility requirements: Must be an experienced professional looking to make a career change into tech

Women in Tech Scholarship

• Amount awarded: $1,000
• Eligibility requirements: Must identify as a female

Diversity Scholarship

• Amount awarded: $1,000
• Eligibility requirements: Must be a member of historically underrepresented communities in tech (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+)

Military Heroes Scholarship

• Amount awarded: $1,000
• Eligibility requirements: 
  • Must be a military veteran or active service member
  • Must submit a copy of DD-214, DD-256, or NGB-22 

Kickstart Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Up to $1,500
• Eligibility requirements:
  • For financially disadvantaged students with an income of less than $40,000 per year
  • Must submit most recent pay stub, W2, or bank statement

5. Hack Reactor Coding Bootcamp Scholarships

Galvanize Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Full-tuition scholarship
• Eligibility requirements: 
  • For members of historically underrepresented communities in tech (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, formerly incarcerated, persons with disabilities)
  • Must enroll in the Hack Reactor Beginner Coding Bootcamp or the Hack Reactor Intermediate Coding Bootcamp
  • US citizen and legal permanent resident
  • Authorized to work in the US
  • At least 18 years of age

We Stand Together Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Full-tuition scholarship
• Eligibility requirements:
  • For those who identify as Black or African-American
  • Must have an active application for a cohort starting after the award date
  • Must have passed the Galvanize Non-Technical Skills Assessment (NTSA)
  • Must enroll in the Hack Reactor Beginner Coding Bootcamp
  • US citizen and legal permanent resident
  • Authorized to work in the US
  • At least 18 years of age

6. Flatiron School Scholarships

Access Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Up to $5,000 (subject to change)
• Eligibility requirements:
  • For those who identify as women, a member of underrepresented groups, persons with disabilities, Veterans or British Armed Forces Service leaders, or LGBTQIA+
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Must have zero IT background or experience

Merit Scholarship

• Amount awarded: Up to $5,000 (subject to change)
• Eligibility requirements:
  • For those who excel during the admissions process, which covers the assessment, interview, written application, and completion of the prep work

Tips for Applying to Software Engineering Scholarships

There’s no denying that scholarships can greatly benefit you not just financially but also in terms of your professional growth and development. This is particularly true for software engineering scholarships, many of which include other benefits such as internships and allowances. To stand out during the selection process, here are some tips to keep in mind!

• Write a compelling personal statement. Seek feedback from a trusted mentor or friend to help refine your writing and communication skills. Remember, presenting yourself well can make all the difference in a competitive scholarship application process.
  
• Gather strong recommendation letters. It’s always a good idea to reach out to people who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Advisors, professors, and mentors are great choices, as they can speak to your skills and potential for success. Additionally, community leaders who know you well can provide insight into your character and community involvement.
  
• Showcase relevant experience and projects. Demonstrating a genuine passion for technology is one of the recurring requirements for software engineering scholarships. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a portfolio that showcases your related projects and professional experiences. This will not only prove your skills and expertise but also show your dedication to the field.
  
• Engage in community- or leadership-based activities. These extracurricular activities offer an opportunity to showcase your leadership potential and collaboration skills, which can be highly valued by selection committees. Keep in mind that these committees are not just interested in your present skills and academic performance but also in your commitment to making a positive impact on the tech industry in your future career.

Should I Apply for a Software Engineering Scholarship?

Applying for a software engineering scholarship is a great way of making your education more affordable. If you see any opportunities on our list that you qualify for, don’t hesitate to apply. Many influential organizations and coding bootcamps offer scholarships specifically targeted at students from traditionally underrepresented communities in tech to help level the playing field. 

Don’t let financial barriers hold you back from achieving your goals in the tech industry. Remember to take your time, put in the effort, and pay close attention to the details when you’re applying for a software engineering scholarship. 

Software Engineering Scholarships FAQ