5 Great Computer Science Scholarships

Scholarships for Computer Science Majors

  • The Betty Stevens Frecknall Scholarship
  • The Women Techmakers Scholars Program Scholarship
  • The Barry Goldwater Scholarship
  • The Western Digital Scholarship
  • The Future Leaders of IT Scholarship

With rising tuition rates and other higher-education costs, computer science scholarships can be extremely valuable in helping students fund their educational programs. While some scholarships are based on academic achievement and/or ability, there are also many that are based on such things as financial need, race, or gender. Described below, are five great scholarships for persons majoring in computer science.

Ranking: 20 Best Online Schools for Computer Science

1. The Betty Stevens Frecknall Scholarship

The Betty Stevens Frecknall Scholarship was named after Betty Stevens-Frecknall, informally known as “the Mother of Computing.” Betty served several high-profile positions in various areas of computer science and technology at a time when these fields were considered to be careers solely for men. This computer science scholarship is offered through the Foundation for IT Education and provides up to $2,000 for applicants that meet the program’s requirements. Currently, these requirements include a declared computer science major (or similar area), a 3.0 GPA, and full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student in an accredited college or university.

2. The Women Techmakers Scholars Program Scholarship

A terrific scholarship for computer science students who are women is the Women Techmakers Scholars Program. Funded by Google, the goal of this program is to encourage women to join the exciting fields of computer science and technology. Qualified applicants in the United States can receive up to $10,000 to help fund their education. Students who wish to apply for this scholarship must be enrolled in an accredited university as a full-time student and must be working towards a bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, engineering, or a similar field.

3. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship

Another great computer science scholarship is the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. Named after Senator Barry Goldwater who spent 56 years of his life serving his country, these awards provide up to $7,500 for undergraduate students seeking careers in various fields including computer science. To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be United States citizens, attending school full-time, have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and must be specializing in research. Students interested in these funds will want to discuss the scholarship with their school’s academic adviser.

4. The Western Digital Scholarship

The Western Digital Scholarship is offered by Western Digital Corporation and provides awards of up to $5,000 for under-represented students (females and minorities) who are majoring in the areas of computer science, engineering, science, or mathematics. People who are interested in Western Digital Corporation’s scholarships for computer science must be undergraduates enrolled full time within an accredited college or university. They must also be enrolled in a qualified program, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate financial need.

5. The Future Leaders of IT Scholarship

The Future Leaders of IT Scholarship is yet another fantastic scholarship for computer science students. Offered by IT Connect and Hewlett Packard Enterprises, these scholarships provide up to $2,000 to high school seniors and undergraduate college and university students who wish to pursue careers in information management, information technology, or similar areas including computer science. To apply for this award, applicants will need to submit their high school or college transcripts, three letters of recommendation, proof of college or university enrollment, and a short essay.

Funding a computer science program may seem overwhelming, especially for students who are seeking graduate degrees. But the good news is that there are many great computer science scholarships that can help students meet the costs associated with their education, and the five scholarships described above are among the best today.