USA Scholarships
Roscoe Douglas Scholarship 2027 - WMU Michigan
The Chapter 116 Roscoe Douglas Scholarship is a Kalamazoo chapter fund inside the SME Education Foundation portfolio, named for longtime Western Michigan University mechanical engineering professor Roscoe H. Douglas. Full-time undergraduates majoring in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing engineering technology at WMU who have completed at least 30 college credits can compete for a merit award directories list at about $1,000. Reviewers look for a 3.0 GPA and a clear manufacturing career path. You file one application at scholarships.smeef.org during the annual November-through-February window, and the system routes you to the Roscoe Douglas fund plus every other SME award you match.
What is the Chapter 116 Roscoe Douglas Scholarship?
Chapter 116 Roscoe Douglas Scholarship keeps a slice of SME Education Foundation funding in Kalamazoo for students who already chose Western Michigan University and a manufacturing major. The fund honors Roscoe H. Douglas, the mechanical engineering professor emeritus who advised WMU's SME student chapter, helped build solar-car components, and stayed active in Chapter 116 until his death in 1993.
You are not filling out a Kalamazoo-only form. SME uses one online application each winter, and qualified WMU files enter the Roscoe Douglas pool when your credit count, GPA, and major match. That means a junior in manufacturing engineering technology can compete here and may also surface for other SME funds without extra paperwork.
The gates are straightforward: full-time enrollment, 30 credits, 3.0 GPA, and a manufacturing story that sounds real on paper. Co-ops, robotics, and chapter meetings all help, but they are not a separate checklist item the way the Detroit chapter funds spell out preference.
Plan backward from 1 February 2027. Register in the fall and request transcripts before January crunch time. For other Michigan SME funds, read the Chapter 311 Tri Cities Scholarship guide or the main SME Education Foundation Scholarship guide.
Eligibility
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✓Full-time student at Western Michigan UniversityYou must be enrolled full time at WMU in a degree program in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing engineering technology when you apply.
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✓At least 30 college credit hours completedSophomores, juniors, and seniors typically qualify once they pass the 30-credit threshold. Transfer credits counted toward your WMU degree usually count toward this minimum.
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✓Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPAApplicants need an overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Upload transcripts that show your cumulative average at WMU or across transfer institutions.
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✓Manufacturing career intentFund descriptions expect you to pursue a career in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing engineering technology, not a loosely related major without shop or production focus.
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✓U.S. or Canadian citizenship or eligible residencyStandard SMEEF rules require U.S. or Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or an eligible student visa, plus a permanent address in the United States or Canada.
Benefits
- Typical award amount About $1,000
- Allowed uses Tuition, fees, or books
- Application path Single SME Education Foundation form
- Renewability Non-renewable; reapply in a future cycle
- Room and board Not a separate housing grant
Document checklist
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✓SME Education Foundation online applicationComplete the shared form at scholarships.smeef.org when the 2027-2028 cycle opens. One submission considers you for the Roscoe Douglas fund and all other eligible SME scholarships.
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✓Official or current WMU transcriptProvide transcripts proving a 3.0 cumulative GPA and at least 30 earned credits toward your manufacturing degree.
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✓Personal statementExplain why you chose manufacturing, your education and career objectives, and how SME support helps you reach them. WMU engineering pages suggest tying your story to hands-on projects when you can.
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✓ResumeList co-ops, Sunseeker or robotics team work, CAD projects, and SME Student Chapter roles if you have them.
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✓Recommendation letterSubmit at least one reference from faculty or an industry mentor who can attest to your qualifications for a manufacturing career.
How to apply
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1
Register at scholarships.smeef.org
Create your account before November so SME can email you when the 2027-2028 application launches. Add [email protected] to your contacts.
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2
Confirm WMU major and credit count
Verify that you are in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing engineering technology and that your transcript shows at least 30 college credits before you submit.
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3
Gather transcripts and references
Request an official transcript early if the registrar is slow in January. Give your recommender at least three weeks to upload a letter.
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4
Highlight WMU manufacturing experience
Mention co-ops, lab work, or SME Student Chapter activity tied to Kalamazoo industry. Douglas helped build WMU solar-car components, and that legacy still resonates with reviewers.
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5
Complete the shared SME application
Answer every prompt in one sitting if possible, then review for typos. The portal matches you automatically to the Roscoe Douglas fund when your school and major fit.
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6
Submit before 1 February 2027
SME closes the portal on February 1 each year with no grace period. Save your confirmation screen once the file uploads successfully.
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7
Watch for spring notification
Review committees typically evaluate files in March and notify applicants by late spring. Check email and the portal inbox for updates.
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Chapter 116 Roscoe Douglas Scholarship?
It is an SME Education Foundation fund sponsored by SME Chapter 116 in Kalamazoo, named for WMU professor emeritus Roscoe H. Douglas. The award supports full-time undergraduates in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing engineering technology at Western Michigan University.
How many credits do I need for the Roscoe Douglas Scholarship?
You must complete at least 30 college credit hours before applying. That usually means sophomores, juniors, or seniors, including transfer students who bring credits toward the WMU degree.
How much is the Roscoe Douglas Scholarship worth?
Published SME and WMU listings show about $1,000 applied to tuition, fees, or books. The award is typically non-renewable, so plan to reapply in a later cycle if you still qualify.
What is the Roscoe Douglas Scholarship deadline for 2027?
Apply through scholarships.smeef.org before 1 February 2027. SME opens the shared application on 1 November each year, and late files are not accepted.
Do I need a separate application for the Roscoe Douglas Scholarship?
No. You complete one SME Education Foundation application and the system routes you to every scholarship you qualify for, including Chapter 116 Roscoe Douglas.
Can transfer students apply for the Roscoe Douglas Scholarship?
Yes, if you are a full-time WMU student in an eligible major with at least 30 credits and a 3.0 GPA. Transfer hours counted toward your WMU degree generally satisfy the credit minimum.
Is financial need required for the Roscoe Douglas Scholarship?
Need is not listed as a primary filter in fund descriptions. Selection focuses on major fit, credit progress, and GPA.
Where do I apply for the Roscoe Douglas Scholarship?
Use https://scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ when the cycle is open. WMU engineering pages also point applicants to the same portal, and questions go to [email protected].
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