USA Scholarships
Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship 2027
The Lucile B. Kaufman Women''s Scholarship backs undergraduate women who are already deep enough into college to show they can handle a technical major. You must be full time in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing technology, industrial engineering, engineering technology, or a closely related degree at an accredited U.S. or Canadian school, with at least 30 college credits completed and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The award rides inside the SME Education Foundation Scholarship Program, so you file one application at scholarships.smeef.org and reviewers can route you to the Kaufman fund when your profile matches. Dollar amounts vary by year, but fund listings commonly run from about $1,000 to $6,000 applied to tuition, fees, or books. Plan on the annual November 1 opening and February 1, 2027 close that smeef.org uses for every named manufacturing scholarship.
What is the Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship?
Lucile B. Kaufman wanted more women to stay in manufacturing and engineering programs after the first year of college, when attrition spikes. The SME Education Foundation administers her fund today as one of dozens of named scholarships that share a single winter application. You will not find a separate Kaufman website. Instead, you register at scholarships.smeef.org, tell the portal you are a full-time woman in a manufacturing-related major, and show that you already have at least thirty credits and a 3.0 GPA.
That credit floor matters. High school seniors flooding the same portal in November are competing for different pots of money. Kaufman reviewers expect sophomores, juniors, and seniors who can point to labs, co-ops, or production projects, not just a major declaration. Use your essay to name equipment you have run and problems you have solved, because SME volunteers read thousands of files every February.
Award sizes move with the market, but public listings usually cite roughly $1,000 to $6,000 toward tuition, fees, or books. Stack this fund with other SME matches from the same form if your profile fits multiple criteria. Read the main SME Education Foundation Scholarship 2027 guide for portfolio-wide rules, and compare the Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship guide if you are earlier in your program with fewer credits.
Eligibility
-
✓Identify as a woman undergraduateThe Kaufman fund is reserved for women pursuing a bachelor degree. Confirm your status in the SME Education Foundation portal when the 2027-2028 cycle opens.
-
✓Full-time manufacturing-related majorYou must be enrolled full time in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing technology, industrial engineering, engineering technology, or another field the Foundation treats as closely related to manufacturing careers.
-
✓At least 30 college credits completedFund criteria target sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have finished at least 30 semester or quarter credits at an accredited institution. First-year students with fewer credits should look at other SMEEF awards instead.
-
✓3.0 cumulative GPA minimumPublished rules require a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Upload transcripts so reviewers can verify grades in math and technical coursework.
-
✓Accredited U.S. or Canadian institutionYour college or university must be accredited and located in the United States or Canada. The portal uses your school record to confirm eligibility.
-
✓SMEEF citizenship and residency rulesStandard Foundation rules accept U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or students with an eligible U.S. or Canadian student visa, plus a permanent address in the United States or Canada.
-
✓Single SME Education Foundation applicationComplete the unified online form at scholarships.smeef.org during the open window. There is no separate Kaufman-only application.
Benefits
- Scholarship range About $1,000 to $6,000 per listings
- Tuition and fees Eligible use of funds
- Books and supplies Eligible use of funds
- Room and board Not specified for this fund
- Automatic renewal Reapply through SMEEF each cycle
- Paid SME internship Separate Foundation programs
Document checklist
-
✓SME Education Foundation online applicationCreate an account at scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ when registration opens. One submission covers the Kaufman scholarship and every other SMEEF fund you qualify for.
-
✓College transcript with credit totalUpload transcripts showing at least 30 completed credits, cumulative GPA, and enrollment in an eligible manufacturing-related major.
-
✓Permanent address verificationEnter your non-school permanent address in the United States or Canada so the portal can apply standard residency rules.
-
✓Resume or activity summaryList co-ops, machining labs, robotics teams, internships, and leadership roles that show commitment to manufacturing and engineering careers.
-
✓Essays and short answersComplete every essay prompt in the shared application. Explain concrete shop-floor or lab experience rather than generic career statements.
-
✓Letters of recommendationProvide references from professors, counselors, or supervisors who can speak to your technical skills and character. Give recommenders at least two weeks.
-
✓Financial information when requestedThe Kaufman fund is merit-focused, but other SMEEF awards in the same file may be need-aware. Have FAFSA data ready if you want those funds considered.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship?
It is a named undergraduate scholarship administered through the SME Education Foundation for women studying manufacturing engineering, manufacturing technology, industrial engineering, engineering technology, or related fields. Awards commonly range from about $1,000 to $6,000 for tuition, fees, or books.
Who is eligible for the Kaufman Women's Scholarship?
Full-time undergraduate women with at least 30 completed college credits, a 3.0 GPA, and an eligible manufacturing-related major at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution may apply through the shared SMEEF portal.
How do I apply for the Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship?
Apply through the SME Education Foundation Scholarship Program at scholarships.smeef.org. You submit one online application and are automatically considered for the Kaufman fund and every other SMEEF scholarship you qualify for.
When is the Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship deadline?
SMEEF opens applications on November 1 each year and closes on February 1. For 2027-2028 aid, plan to submit by 1 February 2027 after the expected November 2026 opening.
How much is the Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship?
Published fund descriptions list a range from about $1,000 to $6,000. Exact amounts depend on investment yield and the number of recipients in a given cycle, so treat the offer letter as final if you win.
Can freshmen apply for the Kaufman scholarship?
No. The fund requires at least 30 completed college credits, which usually means sophomore standing or higher. High school seniors and first-year students should use the same SME portal but will match other Foundation awards instead.
Do I need a separate application from the main SME scholarship?
No. The Kaufman scholarship is one named fund inside the same portal as the broader SME Education Foundation program. One complete application covers all matching awards.
Where is the official Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship application?
Apply at https://scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ once the cycle opens. Program overview and women-in-manufacturing materials also appear on smeef.org and campaigns.smeef.org.
Scholarship Union
More in-depth scholarship guides curated by experts.
Related guides
Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.
Visit official website