USA Scholarships
Anne Shen Smith Scholarship 2027 - $1,250 SWE
The Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship 2027 is a Society of Women Engineers (SWE) award for undergraduate women working toward a bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science at an ABET-accredited college or university. Southern California Gas Company established the fund in 2014 to honor Anne Shen Smith, and SWE typically selects one recipient for about $1,250 per cycle. You need U.S. citizenship, full-time enrollment as a sophomore, junior, or senior, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference goes to students from underrepresented populations and to students at California institutions, but the award is not limited to California residents. SWE runs one online application at scholarships.swe.org that can match you to this fund and others you qualify for. BigFuture and prior SWE cycles open December 1 and close in early February, so plan for a December 1, 2026 opening and a February 2, 2027 deadline unless swe.org posts different dates.
What is the Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship?
The Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship sits inside the Society of Women Engineers portfolio of named funds, and it remembers a leader Southern California Gas Company chose to honor when she stepped down as CEO. SWE invested the 2014 endowment to support the next generation of women in technical fields, and the award today typically pays about $1,250 to a single undergraduate each cycle.
You apply through the same scholarships.swe.org portal SWE uses for dozens of other endowed and corporate awards, which means one careful application can put you in front of multiple funds. This one is narrower: U.S. citizenship, full-time sophomore-to-senior standing, and an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology, or computer science major. Reviewers look hard at grades, but they also read your resume for co-ops, project teams, and volunteer hours that show you stick with STEM outside the classroom.
California students and applicants from underrepresented backgrounds get preference, not an automatic pass. If you are elsewhere in the country but your story is strong, you still belong in the pool. SWE does not require membership, though joining can open extra scholarships and bump your review score slightly.
For the 2027 guide year, watch for a December 2026 portal opening and an early February 2027 deadline, matching the pattern College Board published for the most recent cycle. Confirm dates on swe.org before you upload files, and email [email protected] if your school calendar makes the timing tight. Pair this application with the SME Education Foundation Scholarship if manufacturing interests you, or the AfterCollege Engineering & Technology Student Scholarship when that program resumes, so you are not relying on a single $1,250 outcome.
Eligibility
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✓Identify as a womanSWE scholarships serve students who identify as women and are preparing for careers in engineering, engineering technology, or computing.
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✓U.S. citizenThe Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship requires U.S. citizenship. Permanent residents and international students on visas are not eligible for this specific fund.
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✓Sophomore, junior, or senior standingYou must be in your second year or above in a bachelor's program when you apply and be able to accept the award for the academic year in which SWE grants it. First-year students and graduate students do not match this endowed fund.
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✓Full-time ABET-accredited majorEnroll full time in an ABET-accredited program in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science for the upcoming academic year. SWE also allows students in ABET-accredited community college programs that feed a bachelor's degree to apply through the same portal.
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✓Minimum 3.0 GPAMaintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Your transcript should reflect strong performance in technical coursework because reviewers weigh academics alongside activities.
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✓California enrollment or underrepresented backgroundSWE gives preference to students attending colleges or universities in California and to applicants from underrepresented populations in engineering. You can still apply from any state if you meet the core gates.
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✓SWE membership optionalMembership is not required to apply. SWE notes that joining may unlock additional scholarships and can add points during application review.
Benefits
- Scholarship amount About $1,250 (one recipient)
- Use of funds Educational expenses at your college
- Number of awards One per cycle
- Renewability Not renewable
- Full tuition coverage Not offered
- SWE membership fee Not included (optional to join)
Document checklist
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✓SWE online scholarship applicationComplete the unified application at scholarships.swe.org when the cycle opens. Select eligible funds, including the Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship, or let the system match you based on your profile.
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✓One letter of referenceSubmit one reference from someone who knows your academic work, such as a professor or advisor, or your character and leadership, such as a coach or supervisor. Give your recommender the SWE portal instructions early.
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✓Official or current transcriptUpload a transcript showing your major, enrollment status, and at least a 3.0 GPA. Community college students should include progress toward an ABET-accredited transfer path.
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✓Resume highlighting STEM involvementList internships, co-ops, research, SWE section activities, robotics teams, and volunteer work. SWE reviewers emphasize extracurricular impact and interest in engineering careers.
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✓Essay or short answersSWE scholarship applications include essay prompts about your engineering path and goals. Draft offline and proofread because the February deadline draws heavy traffic.
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✓Proof of enrollment if requestedHave an acceptance or enrollment verification ready if the portal asks you to confirm full-time status for the award year.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship?
It is a Society of Women Engineers fund established in 2014 with a gift from Southern California Gas Company to honor Anne Shen Smith. SWE awards about $1,250 to one undergraduate woman in an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology, or computer science program each cycle.
How much is the Anne Shen Smith SWE scholarship worth?
Recent SWE endowed scholarship schedules list one award at about $1,250. The endowment started at $1,000 in 2015-2016 and SWE may adjust the stipend as investment returns change, so treat $1,250 as the planning figure until swe.org confirms the live amount.
Who is eligible for the Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship?
You must identify as a woman, be a U.S. citizen, hold at least a 3.0 GPA, and study full time as a sophomore, junior, or senior in an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology, or computer science bachelor's program. Preference goes to underrepresented students and to students at California colleges or universities.
Do I need SWE membership to apply for the Anne Shen Smith scholarship?
No. SWE states that membership is not required for its scholarships. Joining SWE may qualify you for additional awards and can add review points, but you can apply to the Anne Shen Smith fund without paying dues.
When is the Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship deadline?
SWE opens its scholarship portal around December 1 each year and closes in early February. College Board listed December 1, 2025 through February 2, 2026 for the prior cycle, so plan for December 1, 2026 through February 2, 2027 unless swe.org posts new dates.
Can freshmen or graduate students apply for the Anne Shen Smith scholarship?
No. Endowed fund criteria target sophomores, juniors, and seniors in bachelor's programs. First-year undergraduates and graduate students should look at other SWE scholarships in the same portal that match their class level.
Is the Anne Shen Smith scholarship only for California residents?
No. SWE gives preference to students attending colleges or universities in California and to underrepresented applicants, but the citizenship and ABET rules apply nationwide. A student in Texas or Ohio can still compete if they meet every core requirement.
Where do I apply for the Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship?
Apply through the SWE scholarship portal at scholarships.swe.org when the cycle is open. Program details and history live on swe.org, and questions go to [email protected] or (312) 596-5223.
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