High school students planning to work in a STEM-based field can rest assured about their career prospects. Research shows that STEM jobs will grow more than twice as rapidly as non-STEM jobs over the next 8 years.
But while the investment is likely worth it, paying for a STEM degree can still seem daunting. Fortunately, there are plenty of STEM-related scholarships available for students looking to pursue this career path.
One of the most prominent scholarships in this space is the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship Program. Read below to learn more about this scholarship, how to apply and how to increase the odds of winning.
What is the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship Program?
Each year, the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship Program doles out $10,000 scholarships to 200 students who are majoring in a STEM degree. The scholarship can be renewed for up to four years in total, so students may receive a maximum of $40,000.
High school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors can apply for this scholarship. College seniors and graduate students are not eligible.
Applications are due March 31, 2023 at 3 p.m. CT, and the committee will announce winners in mid-May.
Scholarship winners may also receive a Lockheed Martin summer internship at some point during their college career, but this is not guaranteed. Also, Lockheed Martin scholarship winners are not required to accept an internship position if they are offered one, and their scholarship will not be revoked if they decline one of these opportunities.
How to qualify for the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship Program
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be majoring or planning to major in one of the following subjects:
Students must also have demonstrated financial need. There is a 2.5 GPA requirement for all applicants.
Only full-time students who are enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited institution are eligible for this scholarship. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Students whose parents or relatives work at Lockheed Martin are still eligible.
While the scholarship application is open to everyone, students from one of the following groups may receive more consideration:
To apply, students must submit the following:
- A copy of Form 1040 from your parent’s tax return
- One recommendation
- An official transcript
Students are not required to provide a copy of their SAT or ACT scores. However, if you do want to include your ACT or SAT scores, then they must be listed on your official transcript.
The scholarship committee will also look for students with unusual personal or family circumstances. For example, if you were raised by a grandparent instead of a parent, that might be worth mentioning on your application.
How to maximize your chances of winning the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship
Pick the right person to write a recommendation letter
When selecting an adult to write your letter of recommendation, try to find someone who knows about your passion for STEM. This can include a math or science teacher, a club sponsor or a mentor in the STEM field.
For example, if you had a summer job at a lab, you can ask your former supervisor to write a recommendation letter. As with any other scholarship application, make sure to give them as much advance notice as possible. The more time you give them, the stronger the letter will be.
Create a strong resume
Your resume is where you can highlight your STEM experience. Make sure to note any and all STEM-related activities including clubs, special classes and other extracurriculars.
Students will also have to describe their career goals and dreams. This is your chance to show what you envision for your future STEM career and what you hope to accomplish. For example, you can talk about the research you’re most interested in or what latest developments are most exciting to you.
Apply again
If you are not accepted into the scholarship program as a high school senior, you can apply again once you’ve enrolled in college. To strengthen your application, focus on adding more STEM-related extracurricular activities, finding the right person to provide a recommendation letter and improving your GPA.
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