While the first impulse of your friends and family may be to ask, “A math major? What on earth are you going to do with that?,” a mathematics degree is actually highly useful and versatile. You can literally be anything from a high school teacher to an actuary to a CIA cryptographer with a degree in math. These are only some of the wide range of lucrative and interesting career opportunities that await college math majors.
Even if you’re planning on a career in business, technology, or another high-paying field, paying for your mathematics degree is still a concern. Beyond paying for your undergraduate degree, you may also be thinking about grad school. Since math majors tend to score above average on standardized tests for graduate admission, such as the LSAT and the GMAT, if you’re interested in graduate school, it may be less a question of whether you can get in than whether you can pay to go.
Luckily, in addition to federal aid and the state and university math scholarships you may win (after all, math majors are a pretty smart bunch overall), there are a number of other math scholarship opportunities out there for majors. High school students planning to pursue a career in mathematics or a related field can take advantage of a number of math, science and technology scholarships. National scholarships are offered by the NAACP and the National Science Foundation while schools including the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of California at San Diego offer university-based awards. Some even carry top prizes of $50,000 to $100,000! Students who are interested in teaching mathematics also have a number of math scholarship opportunities — math is one of several areas of teacher shortage, so a variety of math scholarship and grant awards, as well as loan forgiveness programs, have been created to encourage students to pursue teaching careers in math. If you’re planning to teach math, be sure to check out our article on education scholarships for more information on these programs.
Below are a few of the math scholarships available. To see more math scholarships, as well as awards based on your other unique characteristics, conduct a free scholarship search on Scholarships.com.
The Barnes W. Rose, Jr. and Eva Rose Nickol Scholarship Program is for a Albuquerque High School senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in a STEM major. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and have a 3.6 GPA. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
The ACF Woodcock Family Education Scholarship Program was established in 1993 by Albuquerque businessman C.E. (Woody) Woodcock and his wife, Dixie, to support students of exceptional promise in the fields of science and math. Intended for students with strong math and / or science credentials. Scholarships will be awarded to Albuquerque metro area high school graduating seniors (includes [...] More
The African American Network – Carolinas chapter provides scholarships to college-bound students from North and South Carolina who are pursuing a major in engineering, math, science, computer science, accounting, finance or business administration. Applicants must be a graduating senior at a North or South Carolina high school and must attend a four-year college or university located in North or [...] More
The Alaska Space Grant Program (ASGP) invites applications from U. S. citizens for undergraduate funding awards. These awards are offered to students majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or STEM education fields. Stipends available under this program are limited to students attending Alaska institutions of higher education. Women, under-represented minorities and [...] More
Boston University offers scholarships (through the Robert Noyce Program) for talented STEM majors and STEM professionals to become mathematics teachers. Noyce Scholars at Boston University receive 100% tuition support, a master’s degree and initial teacher licensure, and job-placement assistance. Eligible applicants must have an undergraduate degree in mathematics or related field, be legal US [...] More
The College of Saint Rose scholarships are awarded upon acceptance to Saint Rose and are renewable each year for four years or eight semesters, as long as the student remains in good academic standing. The rigor of a student's high school/college program is considered in determining scholarship eligibility. Award amounts vary on academic and test scores. Available scholarships include Trustees [...] More
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Davidson Fellows are honored every year in Washington, D.C. with Congressional meetings and a special reception. Applicants [...] More
The DOE CSGF trains scientists to meet the nation's workforce needs and helps to create a nationwide interdisciplinary community. The fellowship provides support and guidance to some of the nation's best scientific graduate students and these graduates now work in DOE laboratories, private industry, and educational institutions. Open only to full-time students and legal US residents. For more [...] More
The Elms College Elm STEM program, supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, awards scholarship funds to students who major in STEM fields and attend Elms College full-time. In order to apply, you must be a prospective full-time, first-year student at Elms College; be a prospective major in biology, computer information technology, chemistry, or mathematics, except for clinical [...] More
The EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program targets students who have completed their sophomore year, attending minority serving institutions (MSIs), and have recently declared, or about to declare a major in atmospheric, oceanic, or environmental disciplines that support these sciences. You must be a U.S. citizen currently enrolled or accepted as a full-time, second-year student in a four-year [...] More
The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, currently enrolled or accepted as a full-time 2nd year student in a four-year academic program [...] More
The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is open to underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college-bound students. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree full-time in transportation, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, PreMed, psychology, Spanish language/literature. The applicant does not have to be a U.S. citizen but must have a minimum 3.5 [...] More
The Wylie Scholarships in Mathematics are awarded to incoming freshmen that have demonstrated outstanding mathematical ability and an interest in pursuing the study of mathematics in college. These scholarships are renewable based on completion of specific academic requirements and on participation in Furman's mathematics program. To be eligible for a Wylie Scholarship, a student must have a [...] More
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. Continuing Gates Millennium [...] More
The Cox Scholarship, sponsored by the ASA Committee on Women in Statistics and Caucus for Women in Statistics, was established in 1989 to encourage more women to enter statistically oriented professions. Two scholarship recipients are selected each year: one woman in or entering the early stages of graduate training (MS or PhD) and one woman in a more advanced stage of training. Scholarship [...] More
The Gladys Carol Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors, high school graduates, and current undergraduate level students who are United States citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must be pursuing a full-time STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) degree at an accredited, non-profit public or private four-year college or university in the United States. A minimum [...] More
The Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program is available to graduating high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students. Selected from a nationwide pool of applicants, qualified recipients will become Freemont Scholars. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior (must plan on attending a HBCU) or an undergraduate students (must currently attend a HBCU); graduate students are [...] More
The JSU Alabama Bush Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Newbern Bush, a retired faculty member who taught Mathematics. The Scholarship is to be awarded to a full-time native-born Alabama student who has attained Junior status and is majoring in Mathematics. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website. [...] More
L.D. "Dusty" Rhoades and Josephine Wright Memorial Scholarship provides one scholarship awarded annually to a student who has declared a Science or Music major or minor. Additional criteria includes cumulative GPA and financial needs. Alternates each year between Science/Music. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
GEM offers MS and Ph.D. level students an outstanding opportunity and access to dozens of the top engineering and science firms and Universities in the nation. The GEM Fellowship was designed to focus on promoting opportunities for individuals to enter the industry at the graduate level in areas such as research and development, product development, and other high-level technical careers. GEM [...] More
The National Space Club and Foundation has offered the opportunity for a student to give the keynote address at the National Space Club and Foundation's annual Goddard Memorial Dinner, one of the space industry's most prestigious gatherings. In addition to speaking at the Goddard Memorial Dinner, the individual selected will also receive a scholarship, in the amount of $10,000. The student must [...] More
The Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state (and a US citizen). Application forms are only available through these high schools and candidates for the scholarship are nominated by their school each year. Scholarships are renewable for four years of college in the state of Washington. [...] More
North Dakota Space Grant will continue to provide scholarship funding for outstanding students at North Dakota's public two- and four-year colleges and universities. Scholarships, which are designed for students pursuing STEM degrees that support NASA research and technology needs, are awarded for both the fall and spring semesters. NDSU/UND undergraduate students are not eligible for [...] More
The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity. The prestigious program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based [...] More
NOGLSTP established the Out To Innovate Scholarships for LGBTQ STEM students which are intended for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs who are either lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or an active ally of the LGBTQ community. One scholarship will go to an undergraduate student, and one will go to a [...] More
The Knop Science Scholarship is a prestigious four-year, full tuition scholarship based on the next academic year's tuition figures. This is offered to high-achieving students majoring in the fields of math or science. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website. [...] More
The primary purpose of SAPA Scholarship is to recognize and support educational excellence achieved by outstanding high school students, and to encourage the finest high school graduates to develop careers in life sciences. SAPA will award undergraduate scholarships to selected candidates, known as SAPA Scholars, in September for use during their college freshman year. The awards will be made on [...] More
The Society of Exploration Geophysicists offers a range of different scholarship opportunities. Applicant must be a high school senior planning to attend college next year, or a current undergraduate or graduate student, have above-average grades, and intend to pursue a college curriculum directed toward a career in applied geophysics. For more information or to apply, please visit the [...] More
The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research program has been providing undergraduate and graduate students with valuable educational experiences for more than 80 years. By encouraging close working relationships between students and faculty, the program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning. The program awards grants of up to $1,000 to students from most areas of the [...] More
The Society of Actuaries James C. Hickman Scholar program was established to increase the number of academic actuaries who hold a PhD and an actuarial designation, and who intend to pursue academic careers in the United States or Canada. The program is designed to provide stipends to doctoral students who will, through their studies, address research and education needs of the profession, [...] More
The Golden Gate Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is pleased to announce its High School Scholarship Program. Each year our Section awards scholarships to graduating local high school seniors who are pursuing a degree in engineering and other related degrees. Applicants must be females attending school within the boundaries of the Golden Gate Section (includes San Francisco, Marin, [...] More
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. You must be enrolled as an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program and meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on one or more [...] More
The Alabama Space Grant Consortium (ASGC), a member of the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, supports undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships for students studying in an aerospace-related discipline at participating universities and who have at least a 3.0 GPA. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
Educational scholarship funds from grants administered by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago are available for Jewish college and graduate students. Approximately $500,000 is available each year for full-time students, predominantly those legally domiciled in the metropolitan Chicago area, who are identified as having promise for significant contributions in their chosen careers. [...] More
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and guaranteed civilian employment with the Department of Defense (DoD) upon degree completion. Applicants must be pursuing [...] More
Texas Space Grant Consortium and the Aviation and Space Foundation of Texas in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have established this scholarship program in memory of the Space Shuttle Columbia astronauts. These seven men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice to expand the exploration of space and our knowledge of the world that we live in. These scholarships [...] More
The University of Rochester awards an unlimited number of scholarships to students who have participated on a FIRST team and are enrolling as first-year students at the University of Rochester. Eligible applicants must be high school seniors, and be admitted as full-time students. This scholarship is renewable for four years. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship [...] More
Students at UW-Stout are eligible for The Polytechnic Scholarship if they have a 3.33 GPA, an ACT score of 24 or an SAT of 1160. This award is renewable for one year. For more information, or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s [...] More
Summer Student Fellowships at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are awarded to undergraduate students who have completed their junior or senior year at colleges or universities and are studying in any of the fields of science or engineering including but not limited to the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, oceanography, and [...] More
The prestigious Churchill Scholarship was set up at the request of Sir Winston Churchill in order to fulfill his vision of US-UK scientific exchange with the goal of advancing science and technology on both sides of the Atlantic, helping to ensure our future prosperity and security. An applicant for the Churchill Scholarship must be a citizen of the United States, either native born or [...] More
The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship seeks to attract talented, committed individuals, with backgrounds in the STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—into teaching in high-need secondary schools in Pennsylvania. The Fellowship has also prepared over a thousand teachers in Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, and Ohio. Eligible applicants include current undergraduates, [...] More
WTS awards the Transportation YOU Scholarship to girls pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering and math to foster the development of women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in the area of transportation. Eligible applicants must be a high school senior, be considering a career in a [...] More
Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. With more than 30,000 members belonging to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas, Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talents and support to local and international service projects, as well as scholarship programs [...] More
ACT, Inc., the college admissions testing company, has agreed to pay out $16 million to 65,728 California students with disabilities to settle a class-action lawsuit. The class-action federal lawsuit filed in California in 2018 alleged that ACT, Inc. violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act by disclosing test-takers' disability status to colleges and scholarship organizations on score reports, and denied certain examinees with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in its Educational Opportunity Service. [...]
In response to the coronavirus pandemic and the way it has made it harder than ever to take the SAT and ACT, many colleges and universities, from large state universities to small liberal arts colleges, have announced that their admissions for next year’s Class of 2025 will be test-optional. Test-optional admissions mean that schools won’t require a submission of a standardized test score as part of the admissions process. But how will admissions officials judge applicants without a score? Will a student who doesn’t submit a standardized test score be penalized in any way? And will a student who does submit a score be chosen over one who doesn’t? [...]
Getting a college degree is part of the American Dream. College graduates generally earn more money and have a better quality of life. So it’s not surprising that students from immigrant families or who are immigrants themselves are making up an increasingly larger percentage of associate’s, bachelors and masters-seeking students in America. [...]
