Scholarships for Computer Science Majors

The need for qualified technology professionals is on the rise and so is tuition. Click through for more ways to save on your computer science degree.
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Updated on July 1, 2022
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The field of computer science offers a variety of career opportunities. Additionally, as of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual salary for computer and information technology workers was $91,250. Candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in computer science can qualify for positions like software developers and computer network architects, earning triple-digit salaries.

The cost of earning a degree is often steep, but financial aid can allow you to reduce or even eliminate your upfront costs. Funds are awarded based on different variables, such as a student's financial need, academic performance, and/or volunteer and community involvement. Read on to learn more about the different financing options available to you.

Financial Assistance for Computer Science Majors

Financial aid options for computer science majors include loans, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work-study programs. The qualifications for each type of aid differ, and students should consider variables like interest rates and repayment options to determine the best option for their budget.

The Federal Student Aid website proves a great place to start, as it provides information on funds available through the U.S. Department of Education. The government offers a variety of loan types with different repayment options. Qualifying students must be U.S. citizens who are enrolled at an accredited institution. You can read our FAFSA overview or explore our guide to college loans for more information.

The cost of education may be steep, but several financial aid resources for computer science students are available.

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Other financing options include scholarships and grants. These options do not require repayment. Scholarships may focus on helping students who demonstrate academic excellence, minority groups, or students with disabilities. Alternatively, grants typically focus on helping individuals who demonstrate financial need. Our guide to grants and scholarships provides more information about these types of aid.

Students may also qualify for a work-study program to offset education costs. These programs typically require students to work part-time for their institution in exchange for wages, which can be used to help cover expenses. Students can reach out to their school directly to determine what options may be available to them.

Computer Science Scholarships

Student education in STEM fields is crucial to the growth of the U.S. economy as technology-driven industries expand. The high demand for trained computer science and information technology experts has driven organizations to offer attractive computer science scholarships and education funding options for students — especially learners from underrepresented backgrounds.

The following section features scholarships for computer science majors that reward students pursuing a career in a STEM field.

NSHSS STEAM Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? This scholarship is open to students planning to study in a STEM field, including computer science. To qualify, students must be high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: March

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SMART Scholarship For Service

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Who's Eligible? The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation scholarship provides full-tuition for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including computer science. To qualify, students must be at least 18 years old, be willing to work for the Department of Defense post-graduation, and should maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.

Award Amount: $22,000 - $38,000 per year (all education costs covered)

Deadline: August

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IEEE Presidents' Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Given to one student in recognition of an outstanding project related to computer science or other electrical engineering field, this scholarship is open to students who compete in the Intel ISEF competition. To qualify, students must advance to the international competition.

Award Amount: $10,000 (paid over 4 years)

Deadline: Varies

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AFCEA STEM Majors Scholarships

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Who's Eligible? These scholarships are open to undergraduates studying in a STEM field, including computer science, who maintain an interest in cyber security- and homeland security-related disciplines. Only full-time college sophomores and juniors may apply, and they must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Award Amount: $2,500-$5,000

Deadline: May

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Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Academic Scholarship Program

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Who's Eligible? Funds are distributed to successful Jewish candidates living in the Chicago metropolitan area. To qualify, candidates must demonstrate financial need, and demonstrate career promise in a "helping profession" (including computer science).

Award Amount: $4,000

Deadline: February

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AAUW Return to Learning Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Offered by the American Association of University Women, this scholarship is intended for women pursuing studies in computer science who reside in Illinois and who are continuing education after a significant time away from school. To qualify, students must be enrolled at an accredited university in a STEM field.

Award Amount: $5,000

Deadline: April

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AAAS Mass Media Science And Engineering Fellows Program

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Who's Eligible? Students must be enrolled full time in a college or university at any level, and majoring in computer science (or other approved field). This summer fellowship program allows students to increase communication and grant writing skills.

Award Amount: $6,000 stipend

Deadline: January

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(ISC)^2 Foundation Undergraduate Cybersecurity Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Intended for students who demonstrate financial need as they continue their studies at an accredited undergraduate degree program with a focus in cybersecurity or information assurance. Open to computer science majors. To qualify, candidates must have completed two semesters of work, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Award Amount: $1,000-$5,000

Deadline: March

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Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Designed to promote gender diversity in the workforce, this scholarship is awarded to exceptional women studying computer science worldwide. To qualify, female students must be enrolled at the undergraduate level full-time. They must submit references and answer an essay question.

Award Amount: $10,000

Deadline: Varies

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The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation Scholarships

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Who's Eligible? The REC Foundation encourages students to pursue careers in STEM by partnering with various universities to offer scholarships to students pursuing areas such as robotics and mechanical engineering.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

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Google SVA Scholarship for Student Veterans

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Who's Eligible? Awarded to eight student veterans pursuing degrees in computer science. Recipients will get a chance to attend the Google Annual Summer Scholar's Retreat. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate strong leadership skills, answer an essay prompt and maintain a strong academic record.

Award Amount: $10,000

Deadline: January

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Computer Science Scholarships for Minorities

Several scholarships focus on underserved minority groups in attempts to bolster access to educational opportunities. Below is a list of scholarships qualifying candidates may consider. Additionally, feel free to explore our full list of financial aid opportunities for students of color.

The Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund

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Who's Eligible? Open to incoming freshman undergraduates of American Indian heritage seeking a degree in computer science, engineering, management, and finance. To qualify, applicants must show commitment to the American Indian Community, verify tribal heritage and financial need, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: June

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American Indian Science and Engineering Society Intel Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Available to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian AISES members studying computer science and related fields. To qualify, students must be enrolled at an accredited four-year institution full-time and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Award Amount: $5,000 for undergraduates, $10,000 for graduate students

Deadline: May

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Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Designed to support the development of black employees at Microsoft, this scholarship is awarded to meritorious high-school seniors studying technology, computer science, or related fields. To qualify, applicants must be of African descent, plan to attend a four-year institution the year after high school, and should demonstrate leadership skills. They are also required to demonstrate financial assistance and must maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Award Amount: $5,000 per year renewable up to 4 years

Deadline: March

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ESA Foundation Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Open to women and minority students pursuing degrees related to computer science and video game arts. To qualify, students must be enrolled at an accredited four-year college or university full-time and maintain a GPA of 2.75 or above. Now open to high school seniors.

Award Amount: $3,000

Deadline: Varies

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Gates Millennium Scholars Program

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Who's Eligible? Open to minority students at the undergraduate or graduate level, 1000 scholars are selected each year. To qualify, applicants must be a minority citizen, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3, demonstrate leadership characteristics, and be qualified to receive Federal Pell Grant financial aid.

Award Amount: Average award of $12,785

Deadline: Varies

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GMiS STEM Scholarships

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Who's Eligible? Designed to bolster traditionally underserved or underrepresented groups in STEM fields, this scholarship has distributed over $2.6 million to 100 scholarship recipients since 2000. To qualify, applicants must submit an essay, maintain a GPA of 3.0, and plan on majoring in a STEM field.

Award Amount: $500 - $10,000

Deadline: April

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Hispanic Scholarship Fund

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Who's Eligible? Open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students of Hispanic heritage who are studying full-time at an accredited four-year college or university. To qualify, students must complete a FAFSA and maintain a minimum GPA (2.5 for undergraduates, 3.0 for high school). All majors are accepted, but the emphasis is on STEM fields, including computer science.

Award Amount: $500 - $5,000

Deadline: March

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NACME Minority Scholarships and Engineering Scholarships for Minorities

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Who's Eligible? NACME distributes block grants to fund STEM education of African American, American Indian, and Latino students studying computer science or engineering. To qualify, students must be enrolled at a participating institution and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Award Amount: $2,500

Deadline: Varies

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EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program

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Who's Eligible? Designed to aid minority students studying in fields integral to NOAA's mission, this scholarship is open to students studying environmental science and a range of related disciplines, including computer science. To qualify, applicants must be accepted full-time at an accredited two- or four-year minority-serving institution, and should maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA.

Award Amount: $45,000 max (two years of academic assistance)

Deadline: Varies

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Computer Science Scholarships for Women

The below list details computer science scholarships available to women. You may find even more opportunities by reaching out to professional organizations, local schools, and exploring our list of scholarships for women.

The Center for Women In Technology (CWIT) at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Available to female UMBC students majoring in computer science or a related technical field, this scholarship helps foster female-friendly engineering and information technology education. To qualify, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, one from a science or technology teacher and one from a faculty member who has familiarity with the candidate's academic performance and leadership characteristics.

Award Amount: 4 year scholarship: $5,000 - $15,000 per year for in-state, $10,000 - $22,000 per year for out of state.

Deadline: January

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SWE Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? The Society of Women Engineers Scholarship is available to female students attending an ABET-accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in computer science or related engineering and engineering technology field. Freshmen qualify if they maintain a 3.5/4.0 GPA and submit two references, one from a STEM instructor.

Award Amount: $1,000 - $16,000

Deadline: February for sophomores and above, May for freshman

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Palantir Scholarship for Women in Technology

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Who's Eligible? This scholarship supports women in STEM fields and is awarded annually to 10 students from across the U.S. To qualify, students must submit a transcript, resume, and answer an essay prompt.

Award Amount: $7,000

Deadline: March

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Buildium Women in Technology Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Available to female students in a STEM field who are at least 18 and in good standing with their college or university. To qualify, female STEM students must write an essay explaining which female leader in technology (or STEM field) inspires them the most.

Award Amount: $2,500 per semester

Deadline: November and April

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Michigan Council of Women in Technology Undergraduate Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Designed to support female undergraduate students in STEM fields residing in Michigan. Applicants must be studying information technology at a Michigan state college or university and maintain a GPA of at least a 3.0.

Award Amount: Up to $5,000, with possible renewal

Deadline: January

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Women in Defense Scholarship

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Who's Eligible? Awarded to three outstanding students per year, this scholarship supports women studying computer science or a related defense technology field. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in college and have attained at least 60 undergraduate credits. They must plan on pursuing a career in national defense, demonstrate financial need, and are required to maintain a GPA of at least 3.25.

Award Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March

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Additional Financial Aid Resources

Financial Aid Overview: Several financial aid opportunities are available to students pursuing a computer science degree. Our financial aid guide provides information on applying for federal student loans, grants, and scholarships. You should calculate the cost of your computer science program to determine the best financing option for your situation.

Financial Aid for Online Students: Online students pursuing a computer science degree typically qualify for the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus students. However, online students can avoid certain room and board or travel costs, which may lower their total loan amount. Explore our guide for more tips.

Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities: Our scholarship guide for students with disabilities breaks down the opportunities available to students living with any disability, as well as options catering to students with specific disabilities.

Scholarships for Single Parents: The financial burden of pursuing a computer science degree may be especially difficult for single parents. Explore our guide for tips and essential information on several scholarship and loan opportunities available to students raising a family.

Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Military: Many schools offer reduced tuition rates for veterans or active military members. You should always check with a school directly for more information, but our guide provides an overview of several financial aid options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Science Scholarships

How do you pay for a degree in computer science?

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Several options are available to help cover your college expenses, including computer science scholarships, grants, and loans. Loans typically need to be repaid after graduation. Scholarships and grants do not require repayment, but you must meet certain requirements to qualify.

Are there many scholarships available for computer science students?

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The demand for qualified IT professionals is growing, which means numerous scholarships for computer science students are available. In addition to institutional awards, you can find scholarship opportunities through foundations and employers looking to bolster their workforce.

Where can I find scholarships for computer science degrees?

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A great place to start researching scholarships is through professional organizations, such as the International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology, the Association for Computing Machinery, the Association for Women in Computing, and the Computing Research Association. Prospective students should also reach out to local schools and employers to gather a list of possible resources.

Are there grants for computer science students?

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Some grants may be available to students through the government or through research foundations, such as the National Science Foundation and the IEEE Foundation.

How do I qualify for a computer science scholarship?

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The qualifications for computer science degree scholarships vary widely. Some scholarships cater to female students, minority groups, and low-income students, whereas others reward students for strong academic performance.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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