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Women blazed a great number of computer science's first trails. Ada Lovelace helped put the computer on its current trajectory. Katherine Goble Johnson was a prolific part of the mathematical movement that gave the computer its name, and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I.
In fact, the now-ubiquitous term "programming" exists because of women in computer science. But programming is also where the history of women in computer science takes a turn for the inequitable.
Programming was a term originally (circa 1940) given to the humdrum task of manually operating punch cards for machines like the ENIAC. In the past, this routine, nonintellectual work of programming the computer was often assigned to women employees, while the more cerebral work of deciding what the machine should do went to men.
The often inaccessible cost of higher education currently makes it easy for the trails these women blazed to become overgrown. Women people have traditionally not been encouraged to pursue STEM careers. Scholarships for women in computer science can help encourage them to enter the field and keep charging ahead.
Common Requirements for Computer Science Scholarships
Qualifications for scholarships vary by award. One fund may award scholarships only to undergraduates, while another may accept applications from all qualifying college students.
Sadly, most women-specific scholarships often exclude nonbinary people in computer science. If you're nonbinary, stop reading now and check out our LGBTQ+ computer science scholarships.
To qualify for the awards, applicants must meet common requirements that include:
Identify as female. None of the scholarships listed here insist you furnish biological proof.
Major in computer science or a related field
Minimum GPA requirements, such as a 3.0
Meet financial need requirements
Submit a personal essay, transcripts, and FAFSA form
Make a commitment to specific area in computer science, such as cybersecurity
Reside in certain states
Leadership or volunteer experience
Top Computer Science Scholarships Awarded to Women
For women in computer science, scholarships can make a degree in the field accessible. However, computer science students of any gender face a support deficit when it comes to national funding.
There are fewer computer science scholarships than scholarships for other majors, especially compared to how many students are in the major. Data from 2021 shows 18.4% of federal grant money goes to health majors, while computer information science majors get 4.6% of the federal grant pie.
Scholarships are an excellent source of financial aid for computer science majors, as recipients do not need to repay the funds. These funding programs help promising students seeking assistance to pay for their degrees.
The scholarships listed below offer financial aid specifically to women in computer science programs. This is not a complete list. Women can apply to computer science scholarships not earmarked for any specific gender. Supplement these scholarships with your own research to find more funding sources for which you may qualify.
Steps to Stand Out on Tech Scholarship Applications
Scholarship selection committees receive many applications. Standing out requires hitting these benchmarks:
Follow the application instructions. Selection committees use failures to follow the instructions as a way to narrow down the applicant pool. Obeying word count limits and deadlines can help keep you in the applicant pool.
Use your essay to elaborate on your Student Aid Index (SAI) listed on your FAFSA. For instance, mention if your SAI has changed because of a medical emergency, illness, or loss of employment.
Address the selection criteria. How do you meet them? Why does that matter?
Tell a story. Use your scholarship essay to explain obstacles and victories in your life, particularly if you can relate it back to being a woman. Well-written stories can help make you memorable, but make sure you align with the essay prompt. Here are some examples from the College Essay Guy.
Showcase your passion, your achievements and their impact.
Avoid negativity. You want the evaluators to have positive identifiers for you.
More Resources for Women in Computer Science
Scholarship funding is just one of many resources available to women in computer science programs. Other options include finding community-based support groups that promote gender diversity and inclusion or choosing the right college with adequate equity. The following links offer additional information.
FAQ About Women's Computer Science Scholarships
Why should women studying computer science try to get a scholarship?
The tech industry has historically been a male-dominated sector. Scholarships provide valuable funding for women and other underrepresented groups who wish to study in a field that hasn't been inclusive to them. Greater diversity in the tech industry improves its products and services, along with providing women access to in-demand jobs.
What kinds of scholarships are available for women in computer science?
For women in computer science, scholarships come in a wide array. These scholarships go to qualified candidates based on their academic background, financial need, major (like video game design or cybersecurity), and/or career goals. Nonprofits, colleges, and professional organizations offer scholarships to help women pay for college.
When should I start applying for computer science scholarships?
Each scholarship provider sets specific application deadlines. To ensure you do not miss any opportunities, begin your search a full calendar year in advance.
How can I increase my chances of getting a scholarship?
Candidates should look for opportunities to stand out in competitive fields. Women who tell a compelling personal story — or who participate in community service, leadership, extracurricular activities, and volunteering — advance their application by adding these complements to high grades.
