If you’re interested in a career in robotics, getting a degree in the subject makes a lot of sense.
Financing your college tuition is never easy. The good news is that robotics students are eligible to win a lot of scholarship money. You may be on your way to winning money without even knowing.
How to Get a Robotics Scholarship
There are two main ways to win a robotics scholarship for college. They both involve participating in robotics competitions in high school.
The two big organizations that partner with colleges to offer scholarships are FIRST and VEX. If you are on your high school robotics team you are likely competing in these competitions.
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Check for scholarshipsFirst Robotics Scholarship Program
To win a FIRST Robotics Scholarship, high school students must compete in a FIRST Robotics Competition. Scholarships are awarded by universities and companies that partner with FIRST. Award amounts vary from $500 to full tuition. Scholarship eligibility is determined by individual scholarship providers.
For a complete list of scholarships and providers see here.
VEX Scholarships
The VEX Robotics Competition is the largest middle school and high school robotics program in the world. VEX is run by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation.
The foundation strives to encourage students to pursue STEM degrees. They partner with colleges around the country to offer scholarships to robotics students.
Scholarship requirements vary among different schools. Generally students must be a senior in high school. They also must have participated in at least one full season during their junior or senior year on a VEX Robotics team.
Rensselaer offers up to ten four-year VEX Robotics scholarships. These scholarships award students with at least $12,500 per year. Applicants must be high school juniors who are participating on a VEX Robotics team.
STEM Scholarships
Not every high school student knows they want to pursue robotics in college. As a result, they may not have participated on their high school’s robotics team. If you decide at the end of high school to pursue robotics in college, all hope isn’t lost. You can still apply to win a STEM scholarship.
Students interested in pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math can apply for STEM scholarships. STEM scholarships award students with a lot of money to pursue a degree in these fields. Colleges, companies, and organizations award STEM scholarships to attract more students to pursue STEM careers.
If you are interested in studying robotics in college, there are many different STEM scholarships you can apply to. If you are a female, you have even more opportunities to win a scholarship.
Tips on Winning a Robotics Scholarship
- Get involved with your high school robotics club as early as possible. If your high school doesn’t have one, find one in your community.
- Hold a leadership role in your robotics club. This may increase your chances of winning a scholarship.
- Apply to STEM scholarships.
- Apply to as many scholarships as possible to increase your chances of winning.
- Apply to merit scholarships if your grades are high.
- Apply for need-based scholarships.
- File your FAFSA.
Pursuing robotics in college can lead to many great career opportunities. If you are passionate about the field, don’t let high tuition costs get in the way of fulfilling your dreams. Apply for robotics scholarships and get the financial help you need!