USA Scholarships
Past Presidents SWE Scholarship 2027 - $6,500
The Past Presidents SWE Scholarship 2027 remembers the volunteer leaders who steered the Society of Women Engineers from its 1950 founding through more than sixty presidencies. An anonymous donor endowed the fund in 1998 to celebrate that legacy, and SWE now awards about $6,500 to one recipient per cycle who identifies as a woman, holds U.S. citizenship, and studies engineering, engineering technology, or computer science full time at an ABET-accredited college or university. Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students may apply, and community college students on ABET transfer paths qualify through the same portal. SWE does not require membership for this endowed award, although joining can unlock other scholarships and add review points. College Board listed a December 1, 2026 opening and February 2, 2027 close for the upcoming cycle, matching the rhythm of other SWE collegiate applications.
What is the Past Presidents SWE Scholarship?
Every SWE president leaves a footprint on membership policy, outreach, and how the society talks about women in technical careers. The Past Presidents Scholarship turns that history into tuition help for one student each year, funded by an anonymous gift in 1998 and maintained as an endowed award inside the same portal that powers dozens of other SWE funds.
You are not applying to a separate essay contest. You complete the Collegiate/Graduate Scholars application once, and reviewers can route your file toward this fund if your profile matches. That means your reference letter, resume, and short answers need to show more than a strong GPA. SWE wants evidence that you show up for your section, your lab, or your community.
The award size sits closer to $6,500 than the smaller endowed funds at $1,250, but only one person wins each cycle. Membership is optional here, which differs from corporate scholarships like Northrop Grumman that require active SWE status. If you are already paying dues, you might still pick up extra points or unlock parallel awards.
For 2027 planning, expect a December 2026 opening and a February 2, 2027 close unless swe.org shifts the calendar. Stack this application with the Anne Shen Smith Endowed Scholarship and the Northrop Grumman SWE Scholarship if you meet the tighter corporate gates, so one polished SWE packet reaches multiple reviewers.
Eligibility
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✓Identify as a womanSWE scholarships serve students who identify as women and are preparing for engineering, engineering technology, or computing careers.
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✓U.S. citizenThe Past Presidents Scholarship requires U.S. citizenship. Permanent residents and international students on visas are not eligible for this endowed fund.
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✓Sophomore through graduate standingYou must be a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student in the award year. First-year undergraduates should use the SWE Emerging First Year application instead.
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✓Full-time ABET-accredited majorEnroll full time in an ABET-accredited program in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science. Community college students in ABET programs that feed a bachelor's degree may apply through the collegiate portal.
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✓Minimum 3.0 GPAMaintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale unless SWE classifies you as a re-entry or nontraditional applicant exempt from GPA minimums under society rules.
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✓STEM involvement beyond gradesReviewers focus on extracurricular activities, work history, volunteerism, and demonstrated interest in engineering careers. Strong service and leadership can offset a transcript that is good but not perfect.
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✓SWE membership optionalMembership is not required to apply. SWE notes that joining may qualify you for additional scholarships and can add points during application review.
Benefits
- Scholarship amount About $6,500 (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)
- Scholarship amount About $6,500 (one recipient)
- Eligible degrees Masters or PhD in engineering-related fields
- School requirement Campus with ABET-accredited undergrad programs
- Renewability Not renewable
- Research stipend beyond award Not included
Document checklist
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✓SWE Collegiate/Graduate Scholars applicationComplete the unified application at scholarships.swe.org when the cycle opens. Select eligible funds, including the Past Presidents 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 unless you qualify for re-entry GPA exceptions.
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✓Resume highlighting STEM involvementList internships, co-ops, research, SWE section activities, robotics teams, and volunteer work. Past Presidents reviewers emphasize extracurricular impact.
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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 SWE Past Presidents Scholarship?
It is an endowed Society of Women Engineers fund established in 1998 to honor SWE presidents from Beatrice Hicks forward. SWE awards about $6,500 to one woman in an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology, or computer science program each cycle.
How much is the Past Presidents SWE scholarship worth?
College Board listed $6,500 for the upcoming cycle, and third-party directories describe a single non-renewable award near that amount. SWE may adjust the stipend as the endowment grows, so treat $6,500 as your planning figure until swe.org confirms the live amount.
Who is eligible for the Past Presidents 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, senior, or graduate student in an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology, or computer science program.
Do I need SWE membership to apply for the Past Presidents scholarship?
No. SWE states that membership is not required for many endowed scholarships, including this fund. Joining SWE may qualify you for additional awards and can add review points, but you can apply without paying dues.
When is the Past Presidents SWE Scholarship deadline?
SWE opens its collegiate portal around December 1 each year and closes in early February. College Board listed December 1, 2026 through February 2, 2027 for the Past Presidents Scholarship, so confirm dates on swe.org before you upload files.
Can graduate students apply for the Past Presidents Scholarship?
Yes. SWE collegiate criteria include graduate students who pursue engineering-related degrees at schools with ABET-accredited undergraduate programs, even if the graduate program itself is not ABET-accredited.
What do Past Presidents scholarship reviewers look for?
SWE emphasizes merit with weight on extracurricular activities, work history, volunteerism, and interest in STEM. Service and leadership stories matter alongside your transcript and reference letter.
Where do I apply for the Past Presidents SWE Scholarship?
Apply through the SWE Collegiate/Graduate Scholars portal at scholarships.swe.org when the cycle is open. History and fund details live on swe.org, and questions go to [email protected] or (312) 596-5223.
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