SMART Scholarship Program Grant

SMART Scholarship Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Scholarship America Inc
Amount: US $30,000 - US $46,000
Last Updated: November 08, 2025

Summary

The SMART Scholarship Program, managed by Scholarship America, provides substantial support to STEM students, offering full tuition, stipends between $30,000 and $46,000, and summer internships at DoD facilities. This initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers for high school seniors and current college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With applications opening annually on August 1, the program fosters a strong community of scholars dedicated to innovation and research in STEM fields.

Overview

Scholarship America Inc Scholarship America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating financial barriers to higher education and ensuring every student has the opportunity to achieve their academic goals. Founded in 1958, the organization has awarded more than $5.7 billion in scholarships to over 3.2 million students. By partnering with corporations, foundations, and educational institutions, Scholarship America designs and administers scholarship and student aid programs that make education more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for learners across the country. Mission: To eliminate financial barriers to educational success so that every student can pursue their dream. Vision: A world in which every student has access to the resources and support needed to learn, grow, and complete their education with manageable debt. Priorities Administering impactful, high-quality scholarship and tuition assistance programs that align with donor goals and student needs.Expanding access and affordability for underrepresented and underserved students through partnerships and community collaboration.Providing emergency aid and retention support to help students persist and complete their education successfully. SMART Scholarship Program As part of the DoD STEM portfolio, the SMART Scholarship Program provides STEM students with the tools needed to pursue higher education and begin a fulfilling civilian career with the DoD. SMART Scholarship recipients receive full tuition to any regionally accredited U.S. college or university, annual stipends that range from $30,000 to $46,000, impactful summer internships at DoD facilities, and civilian employment after graduation. The application period opens annually on August 1 and closes the first Friday in December. SMART offers merit-based, full-tuition STEM scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students pursuing degrees in one of the SMART STEM disciplines. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), provides a pathway to education and a fulfilling career for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students who are awarded the SMART Scholarship become SMART scholars, joining a dynamic community of driven individuals dedicated to advancing research and innovation in SMART STEM disciplines. They receive comprehensive benefits, including full tuition to any regionally accredited U.S. college or university, annual stipends, summer internships, and civilian employment with the DoD upon graduation, forging a lasting professional network while gaining valuable academic support and hands-on experience.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. High school seniors and incoming college freshmen who intend to pursue a degree in one of the SMART STEM disciplinesCurrent undergraduate and graduate students already studying in these fields