USA Scholarships
Myrtle & Earl Walker Scholarship 2027 - $1,000
The Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship honors donors who wanted to support undergraduates committed to manufacturing engineering and technology careers. It lives inside the SME Education Foundation Scholarship Program, so you complete one application at scholarships.smeef.org and the system considers you for the Walker fund when your major and progress match. You must be full time in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, or a closely related degree at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution, with at least 15 college credits or one semester completed and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Fund materials published through SME describe a $1,000 award applied to tuition, fees, or books. Plan on the annual November 1 opening and February 1, 2027 close shared by every SMEEF named scholarship.
What is the Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship?
Myrtle and Earl Walker set aside this fund so manufacturing students could get a merit boost before senior year, when bigger corporate awards grab most of the attention. Like every other family-named scholarship in the SME Education Foundation portfolio, it runs through one online application in the winter. Register at scholarships.smeef.org, prove you are full time in manufacturing engineering or technology, and show at least fifteen credits or one semester on your transcript with a 3.0 GPA.
The credit rule is the friendly part. You do not need junior standing to compete. A motivated sophomore who finished a first-year machining lab or co-op can land here while also matching broader SME funds in the same file. Tell reviewers how your classes connect to a factory floor career, because Walker language asks for that intent explicitly.
Published SME reference materials cite $1,000 for books, fees, or tuition. That will not cover rent, but it beats carrying another lab fee on a credit card. Submit early in the November-through-February window so recommenders are not rushing during holiday breaks.
Pair this guide with the Lucile B. Kaufman Women's Scholarship guide if you are a woman who will soon cross the thirty-credit mark, and read the SME Education Foundation Scholarship 2027 overview for how named funds interact inside one portal.
Eligibility
-
✓Manufacturing engineering or technology majorYou must pursue a bachelor degree in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, or another field the Foundation treats as closely related to manufacturing careers.
-
✓Full-time undergraduate enrollmentThe Walker fund targets students enrolled full time at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Confirm your status in the SME Education Foundation portal.
-
✓At least 15 college credits or one semesterFund criteria require completion of at least 15 college credit hours or one semester of study before you apply. That makes the award accessible earlier than funds that require 30 credits.
-
✓3.0 cumulative GPA minimumPublished rules require a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Upload transcripts so reviewers can verify grades and technical coursework.
-
✓Career intent in manufacturingApplicants should be pursuing a career in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing technology, not a unrelated major that only touches manufacturing in passing.
-
✓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 standalone Walker-only form.
Benefits
- Scholarship amount $1,000 (published Walker baseline)
- 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 internship Separate SME programs
Document checklist
-
✓SME Education Foundation online applicationCreate an account at scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ when registration opens. One submission covers the Walker scholarship and every other SMEEF fund you qualify for.
-
✓College transcriptUpload transcripts showing at least 15 completed credits or one semester, cumulative GPA, and enrollment in an eligible manufacturing 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, robotics teams, machining labs, internships, and leadership roles that show you are building a manufacturing career, which Walker donors emphasized.
-
✓Essays and short answersComplete every essay prompt in the shared application. Explain why manufacturing engineering or technology fits your long-term plans with specific examples.
-
✓Letters of recommendationProvide references from teachers, counselors, or employers who can speak to your character and technical aptitude. Give recommenders at least two weeks before the February deadline.
-
✓Financial information when requestedThe Walker 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 Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship?
It is a $1,000 undergraduate scholarship administered through the SME Education Foundation for students in manufacturing engineering or manufacturing engineering technology who plan careers in the field. Donors wanted to reward academic progress early in a bachelor program.
How do I apply for the Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship?
Apply through the SME Education Foundation Scholarship Program at scholarships.smeef.org. You submit one online application and are automatically considered for the Walker fund and every other SMEEF scholarship you qualify for.
When is the Myrtle and Earl Walker 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 many credits do I need for the Walker scholarship?
Fund criteria require at least 15 college credit hours or one semester of study completed before you apply. That is lower than the 30-credit threshold used by some other SMEEF named funds.
How much is the Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship?
Published SME Education Foundation materials list $1,000 applied to tuition, fees, or books. Amounts can vary slightly with fund yield, so treat the offer letter as final if you win.
What majors qualify for the Walker scholarship?
Full-time bachelor study in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, and closely related technical fields that support manufacturing careers qualify. Confirm your major code in the portal when you apply.
Do I need a separate application from the main SME scholarship?
No. The Walker 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 Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship application?
Apply at https://scholarships.smeef.org/applications/ once the cycle opens. Background on the full portfolio lives at smeef.org/sme-education-foundation-scholarships/scholarship-opportunities.
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