In today’s technology-driven world, a career in software engineering is an excellent option for those looking for fulfillment, job security, and high pay. Whether you choose to attend a bachelor’s degree or a coding bootcamp to become a software engineer, a software engineering scholarship can drastically reduce the cost of your education.
From revered institutions to forward-thinking corporations, there are many scholarships that cater to software engineering students. In this article, we bring you our pick of the top software engineer scholarships based on popularity and reputation as well as the money and benefits awarded. We cover scholarships intended to cover tuition at a university as well as scholarships offered by coding bootcamps.
The Top Scholarships for Computer Science Majors
| Scholarship | Amount & Benefits | Application Date |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship | $40,000 | Visit official site for details |
| Google Lime Scholarship | $10,000 | Visit official site for details |
| Microsoft Tuition Scholarship | $1,000 | Applications open in October |
| Palantir Future Scholarship | $7,000; Participation in Professional Development Workshops | Visit official site for details |
| Women at Microsoft Scholarship | Up to 5,000 | Applications open in January and close by March |
| Women Techmakers Scholars Program | $10,000; Invitation to Google Scholars’ Retreat in Mountain View | Deadline is usually in December |
| Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship | $10,000; Creative Cloud subscription; Opportunity to intern at Adobe | Deadline is usually in September |
| Buildium Women in Technology Scholarship | $2,500 | Submission deadlines fall in October (fall) and April (spring) |
| Ferguson Family Scholarship | $2,500 | Deadline typically falls in March |
| Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarships |
$5,000 | Deadline falls in September |
The Best Software Engineering Scholarships: A Closer Look
From global tech giants like Microsoft to regional institutions like the Georgia Engineering Foundation, there are many organizations that offer software engineering scholarships to help those that dream of becoming software engineers. Below, we bring you the top ten based on popularity, reputation, and amount awarded.
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
This comprehensive scholarship program from Amazon is aimed at students pursuing computer science and related fields. Students get $10,000 a year toward a degree in engineering or computer science. Recipients will be given an offer to complete a summer internship at the world’s largest online retailer.
Scholarship Requirements
- High school senior
- Must demonstrate financial need
- GPA 2.3 or higher
Google Lime Scholarship
This scholarship from the Internet search giant aims to inspire the next generation of leaders in computer and technology by making the fields as accessible as possible. Students who considered themselves to have a disability, whether visible or invisible, can apply for a scholarship award of $10,000.
Scholarship Requirements
- Applicant must have a disability
- Currently pursuing a degree in CS or related field
- Strong academic record
Microsoft Tuition Scholarship
Microsoft gives out tuition scholarships as well as conference scholarships with the aim of motivating students to pursue careers in computer science and STEM fields. Successful candidates receive $1,000 to help cover tuition for their studies. The money cannot be used to cover expenses outside of tuition, such as room and board.
Scholarship Requirements
- Enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s degree
- GPA 3.0 or higher
Palantir Future Scholarship
This initiative was launched in 2016 to support the development of individuals from groups or communities traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Recipients are also invited to attend professional development workshops that will help them launch their careers and will have the opportunity to interview for internships as well as full-salaried roles.
Scholarship Requirements
- Currently pursuing a degree in CS or related field
- Identify as a member of a racial/ethnic community underrepresented in STEM
Women at Microsoft Scholarship
This software engineering scholarship is given as a one-time award but can also be renewed for up to four years. In the application, candidates must demonstrate their leadership skills. The money can be used to pay for tuition as well as room and board and class fees. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and passion for the subject.
Scholarship Requirements
- Graduating high school senior
- Must identify as female
- Planning to attend 2 or 4-year college for STEAM
- GPA 3.0 or higher
Women Techmakers Scholars Program
Formerly known as the Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship, this $10,000 software engineering scholarship by Google is intended for female students who demonstrate strong leadership and academic achievements. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Winners will be invited to attend the Google Scholars’ Retreat in Mountain View to participate in workshops with other computer science students for three days.
Scholarship Requirements
- Applicant must identify as female
- Must be enrolled, or intend to be enrolled, in a CS program or related field
Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship
This scholarship targets exceptional female undergraduate or graduate students who are studying artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, computer science, or web development. The recipient is also given a one-year Creative Cloud subscription membership worth over $400 and the opportunity to do an internship at Adobe.
Scholarship Requirements
- Enrolled or intending to be enrolled as an undergraduate or master’s student
- Identify as female
- Must be majoring in CS or related field
- Strong academic record
Buildium Women in Technology Scholarship
To access this software engineering scholarship, you will have to write an essay on a female tech leader who inspires you. You will also have to record a video explaining what this scholarship would mean for your education. This award is given by Buildium, a property management software company.
Scholarship Requirements
- Enrolled as an undergraduate or master’s student
- Identify as female
- Must be majoring in CS or related field
- Strong academic record
Ferguson Family Scholarship
This is a four-year scholarship to Wenatchee Valley College, a public community college in Wenatchee, Washington. Unfortunately, it is only open to computer science majors from Chelan or Douglas County. Because the scholarship money is disbursed over several years, it requires yearly updates showing education progress.
Scholarship Requirements
- Graduating senior, current college student, or non-traditional student
- Applicant must be from Chelan or Douglas County in Washington State
- GPA 3.0 or higher
Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarship
Awarded by the Georgia Engineering Foundation, this scholarship is given to students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and school and community involvement. Applicants must also show a strong interest in their field of study. Between 50 to 90 scholarships are awarded.
Scholarship Requirements
- Must be a Georgia resident
- Be enrolled in a program accredited by ABET
Tips for Securing a Software Engineering Scholarship
The application process is different for each of the scholarships for computer science majors listed above. However, there are a few tips and general guidelines that all scholarship applicants can benefit from. To maximize your chances, make sure you follow these guidelines:
Research Thoroughly
Take time to explore various software engineering scholarships, both general and specialized. Before you send your application, make sure you understand the specific requirements and preferences of each scholarship provider. This will help you tailor your application materials to match their expectations. Keep track of application deadlines and create a timeline to manage your submissions effectively.
Let Your Passion Shine Though
In your application materials, showing how much you care about the subject will help you convince the panel of judges that you deserve the award. To do this, share anecdotes and experiences that demonstrate your love for software engineering. Discuss coding challenges, hackathons, or tech-related clubs you’ve been a part of.
Highlight Achievements
Make sure to provide concrete evidence of your accomplishments in software engineering. Include details about projects you’ve worked on, programming languages you’re proficient in, and any contributions you’ve made to open-source communities. If you’ve interned or worked on industry projects, highlight the impact you’ve had and the skills you’ve developed during those experiences.
Craft Compelling Essays
While not all applications require an essay, some, such as the Buildium Women in Technology Scholarship, do. Use this as an opportunity to paint a comprehensive picture of your journey in software engineering. Narrate pivotal moments that inspired your interest, challenges you’ve overcome, and how you’ve grown through failures and successes. Clearly explain how receiving the scholarship will benefit your education and further your aspirations.
Choose Referees Carefully
Some of the applications above require the applicant to submit one or more recommendations. It is important that you approach individuals who are familiar with your dedication and capabilities in software engineering. Good examples include professors who have taught you programming courses, supervisors from coding-related internships, or mentors from coding clubs who can provide insights into your technical prowess and work ethic.
Fast Track Your Learning Journey: Consider a Coding Bootcamp
A software engineering scholarship can alleviate some of the financial burden of a university education. Another option is to simply choose a more affordable training path, such as attending a coding bootcamp. Coding bootcamps are short, intensive tech training programs with a strong job placement focus.
Coding bootcamps are becoming increasingly popular as a way to upskill and reskill to join the tech industry. In a report published in 2022, Hired.com found that the number of job seekers learning to code through non-traditional means, including coding bootcamps, is growing. This reflects the fact that more employers are starting to value practical skills over academic credentials.
Benefits of Coding Bootcamps
- Quick entry into the industry. Coding bootcamps offer an accelerated path to the tech industry, usually lasting a few months, compared to the multi-year commitment of a computer science degree. This allows you to start your career faster and gain hands-on skills that are immediately applicable to real-world projects.
- Focus on practical skills. Bootcamps emphasize hands-on coding and practical projects, directly preparing you for specific job roles. This contrasts with computer science degrees that often include theoretical concepts and a broader range of subjects, which might not be as directly relevant to certain tech positions.
- Cost efficiency. Bootcamps are often more cost-effective than traditional degrees. According to Career Karma’s State of the Bootcamp Market report, the average coding bootcamps costs $12,953. Compare this with the $43,000 that the average student spends on tuition over four years to get a computer science bachelor’s at a typical public institution.
- Industry-relevant curriculum. Coding bootcamps tailor their curriculum to match current industry demands, ensuring you learn the most popular programming languages, tools, and techniques that companies are actively seeking.
- Networking and job placement. Many coding bootcamps have strong connections with tech companies, facilitating networking opportunities and job placement assistance. This can help you secure internships, apprenticeships, or full-time positions right after completing the program.
Software Engineering Bootcamp Scholarships
| Bootcamp | Scholarship | Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coding Dojo | Career Reinvention Scholarship | $1,500 | Students must make under $40,000 a year |
| General Assembly | Break the Glass Tuition Discount | $1,500 | Applicant must identify as woman; Current income is less than $40,000; Applicant has been admitted to one of the following programs: Software Engineering Immersive, Data Analytics Immersive, or Data Science Immersive |
| Thinkful | Women’s Scholarship | $500 | Applicant must identify as woman; Only applies to the Flexible Web Development Bootcamp |
| Galvanize | The Galvanize Scholarship | 100% tuition | Applicant must belong to underrepresented group in tech |
| Flatiron School | Women Take Tech Scholarship | Up to $5,000 | Applicant must identify as woman |
The Top Software Engineering Bootcamp Scholarships: A Closer Look
Coding bootcamps are known for their efforts to enhance access to tech education. To this end, bootcamps offer a wide range of flexible payment options, including software engineering bootcamp scholarships. Below we bring you some of the most popular coding bootcamps alongside the main scholarships they offer.
Coding Dojo
Scholarship Name: Career Reinvention Scholarship
Coding Dojo is an established bootcamp with programs in software development, data science, and cyber security. Its Career Reinvention Scholarship targets career changers eying the technology fields. The school has several other scholarships aimed at different types of students.
Other Coding Dojo Scholarships
- Women in Tech Scholarship – $1000
- Diversity Scholarship – $1000
- Military Heroes Scholarship – $1000
- Kickstart Scholarship – $1500
General Assembly
Scholarship Name: Break the Glass Tuition Discount
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Many consider General Assembly to be the first coding bootcamps and a pioneer in the industry. Its $1,500 tuition discount is aimed at people from underrepresented groups interested in software engineering, data analytics, and data science careers.
Other General Assembly Scholarships
- Adobe Digital Academy Scholarship – 100% tuition
- LaGuardia’s TechHire OpenCode Scholarship – 100% tuition
Thinkful
Scholarship Name: Women’s Scholarship
Considered one of the best online coding bootcamps partly due to its high job placement figures, Thinkful promotes inclusion in the tech industry with its Women’s Scholarship. It is open to all self-identifying women interested in the Flexible Web Development Bootcamp.
Other Thinkful Scholarships
- Veterans’ Scholarship – $500
Galvanize
Scholarship Name: The Galvanize Scholarship
Galvanize was already a popular bootcamp even before its acquisition of Hack Reactor in 2018. It offers a software engineering bootcamp scholarship open to anyone that identifies as belonging to a group historically underrepresented in the tech industry.
Other Galvanize Scholarships
- We Stand Together Scholarship – 100% tuition
Flatiron School
Scholarship Name: Women Take Tech Scholarship
The Women Take Tech Scholarship is a reflection of Flatiron School’s push to achieve gender parity in the tech industry. The school has allocated $200,000 to the cause, with each recipient of the Women Take Tech Scholarship receiving as much as $5,000.
Other Flatiron School Scholarships
- Access Scholarship – $1,000
Software Engineering Scholarships: Start Off Your Tech Journey on the Right Foot
Software engineering is a dynamic field that attracts individuals seeking fulfillment, job security, and rewarding compensation. From tech giants like Amazon and Google to coding schools like Thinkful or General Assembly, many corporations and institutions offer software engineering scholarships to make this career path accessible to as many people as possible.
Whether you are interested in a traditional university degree or an intensive coding bootcamp, software engineering scholarships can help you reduce the financial burden so that you can focus on what matters most: honing your craft.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
