USA Scholarships
Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship 2027
The Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship is a named fund inside the SME Education Foundation portfolio tied to SME Portland Chapter 63 and the Uncle Bud Smith memorial endowment. Students seeking an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree in manufacturing engineering or a closely related field can compete for a merit award that historical listings place at about $1,000 for tuition, fees, or books. Reviewers apply the same preference order used for other Chapter 63 funds: relatives of current chapter members first, then SME student chapter members in Oregon or southwest Washington, then applicants planning to attend school in that region, and finally residents of Oregon and Washington. You need a 2.5 cumulative GPA and U.S. or Canadian citizenship or eligible residency. One SME application at scholarships.smeef.org during the November-through-February window can place you in the Smith Memorial pool and every other fund you match.
What is the Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship?
Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship remembers Uncle Bud Smith, a donor name that still shows up in SME Portland Chapter 63 history and past winner lists. The cash side is straightforward: about $1,000 toward tuition, fees, or books for a manufacturing student who fits the chapter preference stack.
You apply the same way as every other SME applicant, through scholarships.smeef.org in November and December when traffic is heavy but the form is still one pass. The portal can route you to Smith Memorial, Morrow, and national funds at once if your major and region align.
Family ties matter on this fund. If you are a child or grandchild of a Chapter 63 member, say so with membership details your recommender can confirm. Student chapter activity is the next tier, then school location in Oregon or southwest Washington, then residency. Strong grades at 2.5 or above keep you in the conversation even when you are not at the top tier.
Plan backward from 1 February 2027. Compare this award with the Chapter 63 Morrow Scholarship guide if both names fit your background, and read the SME Education Foundation Scholarship guide for larger portfolio awards.
Eligibility
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✓Manufacturing engineering or related majorYou must pursue manufacturing engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, or a closely related degree that supports a manufacturing career. Confirm your major inside the SME portal before you submit.
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✓Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPAApplicants need an overall GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Upload transcripts that show your cumulative average.
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✓U.S. or Canadian citizenship or eligible residencyPublished SME rules cover U.S. and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible student visa holders with a permanent address in the United States or Canada.
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✓Oregon or southwest Washington connectionThe fund prioritizes students who will attend college in Oregon or southwest Washington, or who reside in Oregon or Washington when other criteria are equal.
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✓Chapter 63 family or student chapter preferenceFirst preference goes to a child, grandchild, or stepchild of a current Chapter 63 member. Second preference goes to SME student chapter members in Oregon or southwest Washington.
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✓Associate, bachelor, or graduate enrollmentHistorical fund descriptions cover undergraduates and graduate students alike. You must be enrolled or admitted to an accredited program when awards disburse.
Benefits
- Typical award amount $1,000
- Number of awards About one primary award per cycle (historical)
- Allowed expenses Tuition, fees, or books
- Application path Single SME Education Foundation form
- Memorial purpose Uncle Bud Smith / Chapter 63 Portland
- Room and board Not covered
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 Smith Memorial Scholarship and all other eligible SME funds.
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✓Official or current transcriptProvide transcripts proving a 2.5 cumulative GPA and enrollment or admission in an eligible manufacturing-related program.
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✓Personal statementDescribe your manufacturing career goals and any family or student chapter ties to SME Portland Chapter 63.
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✓Resume or activity listList co-ops, internships, student chapter officer roles, and shop projects that show commitment to manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest.
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✓Recommendation letterSubmit at least one reference from faculty or an industry mentor who can speak to your academic progress and career plans.
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✓Chapter 63 affiliation documentationIf you qualify through a parent or grandparent who is a Chapter 63 member, note their name and membership status. Student chapter members should list chapter meetings and roles.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship?
It is an SME Education Foundation memorial fund tied to Uncle Bud Smith and SME Portland Chapter 63. The award helps manufacturing students in Oregon and southwest Washington, with extra preference for chapter families and student members.
How much is the Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship worth?
Historical SME listings describe a $1,000 award applied to tuition, fees, or books. Treat the offer letter as the final number if you win.
What is the Smith Memorial 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.
Who gets first preference for the Smith Memorial Scholarship?
Children, grandchildren, and stepchildren of current Chapter 63 members rank first. SME student chapter members in Oregon or southwest Washington rank second, followed by students planning to attend school in the region and then Oregon or Washington residents.
What GPA do I need for the Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship?
You need at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Upload transcripts that show the cumulative figure reviewers expect.
Is the Smith Memorial Scholarship different from the Morrow Scholarship?
Both are Chapter 63 Portland funds with similar eligibility and preference rules but separate endowments and award pools. One SME application can consider you for both if you qualify.
Can graduate students apply for the Smith Memorial Scholarship?
Published fund descriptions include graduate study in manufacturing-related fields. Confirm your program inside the portal because major codes must match SME rules.
Where do I apply for the Chapter 63 Smith Memorial Scholarship?
Use https://scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ when the cycle is open. Background on SME Foundation scholarships lives at smeef.org, and questions go to [email protected].
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