STEM Scholarship Program

The African American Leadership Society (AALS) STEM Scholarship Program has established a pipeline of Black students from South Hampton Roads who major in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) at the university level. To date, the program has awarded 375 local students with STEM scholarships totaling $1.6 million.

Geographic Scope: Hampton Roads region including Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg

Focus Areas:

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education
• Reducing racial and gender gaps in STEM fields
• Supporting Black students pursuing STEM degrees

Award Details:

• Each selected STEM Scholar receives up to $10,000 toward tuition
• Women will account for at least 50% of scholarship recipients
• 25% of awards designated to first-generation college students
• Recipients receive mentorship from STEM professionals
• Introduction to African American Leadership Society network

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be African American
• Must be a resident of Hampton Roads
• Current high school or college GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Demonstrate preparedness and commitment to pursuing a STEM degree
• Plan to be enrolled as college student majoring in STEM field in upcoming academic year
• Qualified high school seniors, currently-enrolled college students, and veterans entering college as first-time freshmen in Fall 2024 are eligible

Program Data:

• In Hampton Roads, only 5% of STEM jobs requiring a college education are filled by African Americans (30% lower than national average)
• Despite Hampton Roads having a Black population 53% higher than national average
• Among Black population, women earn 68% of all college degrees but only 22% of degrees in computer science, engineering and mathematics
• 27% of African American college freshmen are first-generation college students; 46% come from low-income families

Partners: UNCF, Access College Foundation

Funding: Generous grant from USAA

Application Process

Application Schedule:

• October 1: Portal opens for application submissions
• November – December: Virtual interviews with applicants
• January: Awards announced

Steps:

1. Complete online STEM application through portal
2. Submit application prior to deadline (November 30)
3. Participate in virtual interview (November-December)
4. Await award announcement in January

Requirements:

• Online STEM application form
• Current high school or college transcript (3.0+ GPA required)
• Demonstration of preparedness and commitment to STEM field
• Confirmation of plan to enroll in college STEM major in upcoming academic year

Contact for questions: mdavis@unitedwayshr.org