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Scholarships for data science majors

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Sallie $2,000 No Essay Scholarship

Due: 5/31/26
$2,000
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What to know about data science scholarships

  • Data science scholarships can come from colleges, tech companies, and professional organizations. You’re not limited to one source when building your college funding plan.
  • Some scholarships are tied to analytics, AI, or research careers. Programs may look for students interested in machine learning, big data, statistics, computer science, or data-driven problem-solving.
  • Academics matter, but they’re not the only factor. Many scholarships also consider coding experience, projects, leadership, internships, or research work.
  • There are opportunities for students at all degree levels. High school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students can all find scholarships related to data science or related STEM fields.
  • The FAFSA® can unlock more than federal aid. Many scholarships and grants look at your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) information when awarding need-based aid.

Data science can open the door to careers in technology, healthcare, business, finance, and research. But earning a degree in data science or a related field like statistics or computer science can be expensive. That’s why free money like scholarships and grants should be part of your plan early on.

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If you’re searching for data science scholarships, you’ll find options based on academics, technical skills, financial need, and long-term career goals in analytics, machine learning, and related fields.

The effort can be worth it. In fact, Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College 2025 found that 75% of students who received a scholarship said it made college possible.

What are data science scholarships?

Data science scholarships are financial awards that help students pay for college or graduate programs in data science or related fields like computer science, statistics, data analytics, or machine learning.

Unlike student loans, scholarships don't have to be repaid. They may come from colleges, universities, employers, private foundations, tech companies, or professional associations.

Depending on the program, awards may be based on factors like:

  • Enrollment in a data science or related major
  • Academic performance
  • Financial need
  • Technical skills or project experience
  • Leadership or service
  • Career goals in analytics, AI, or technology
  • Research interests or graduate study plans

What scholarships are available for data science students?

Think about scholarships in categories. You can pursue university-based awards, diversity scholarships, graduate research fellowships, and scholarships from tech or analytics organizations.

Search broadly. Check campus aid pages—and use tools like Scholly Scholarships to find opportunities that match your major, background, and interests.

MinneAnalytics Data Science Scholarship

The MinneAnalytics Data Science Scholarship supports students interested in data science, analytics, and machine learning. The scholarship often recognizes students who show technical promise and a commitment to using data to solve real-world problems.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports graduate students in STEM fields, including data science-related areas such as computer science, mathematics, and statistics. It can be a major source of funding for research-focused students.

ACM SIGHPC/Intel Computational and Data Science Fellowship

The ACM SIGHPC/Intel Computational and Data Science Fellowship supports graduate students studying high-performance computing and data science. It focuses on students doing advanced computational or research-based work.

ASA Pride Scholarship

The ASA Pride Scholarship, offered by the American Statistical Association, supports LGBTQ+ students pursuing degrees in statistics, biostatistics, or data science-related disciplines. The scholarship promotes greater inclusion in data-focused professions.

How do I qualify for data science scholarships?

Eligibility varies by program, but common requirements often include:

  • Enrollment at an eligible college or university
  • Declared or intended major in data science or a related field
  • GPA or strong academic record
  • Coursework in math, statistics, or computer science
  • FAFSA® completion for need-based programs
  • Leadership, service, internship, or extracurricular experience
  • Technical projects, coding experience, or research interests

Some scholarships may also require essays, letters of recommendation, or a resume.

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Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.

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How do I apply for data science scholarships?

  1. Pull together your documents early so you have your transcript, resume, activity list, and a basic essay or personal statement ready.
  2. Build a scholarship list based on fit by looking at your grades, technical skills, financial need, projects, internships, and target colleges.
  3. Apply across categories including institutional scholarships, diversity-focused awards, national STEM fellowships, and local scholarships.
  4. Submit the FAFSA® so you can be considered for need-based scholarships, grants, and other aid. For step-by-step help, check our FAFSA® guide.
  5. Track every deadline with a checklist, spreadsheet, or calendar because scholarship timelines can vary a lot.
  6. Use Scholly Scholarships to find major-specific opportunities as well as scholarships based on your background and interests.

How do I increase my chances of winning scholarships?

  • Highlight your technical skills. Include coursework, coding languages, certifications, and data projects where relevant.
  • Use projects and internships strategically. Real-world analytics, research, or programming experience can strengthen your application.
  • Apply to data science-specific scholarships. Niche scholarships may have smaller applicant pools than general awards.
  • Tell a clear career story. Explain how you plan to use data science in your future work and why the field matters to you.
  • Complete the FAFSA® yearly as soon as it’s available. Many scholarships and campus aid packages depend on it.
  • Keep applying throughout the year. Consistency can improve your odds and help you uncover awards you may have missed at first.

Additional resources for data science students

Your next steps

Data science students have a broad scholarship landscape, so organizing your search can help you move faster. Start with the colleges you’re considering, then add major-specific scholarships, graduate fellowships, local awards, and programs tied to your background or career goals.

Keep your search moving with monthly opportunities like Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships, our $2,000 No Essay Scholarship, or the $5,000 No Essay Grad School Scholarship. These low-effort options can help you get started while you continue applying for more targeted awards. For scholarships based on your major, background, and interests, search using Scholly Scholarships.

FAQs about data science scholarships

What scholarships are available for data science students?

Data science students can find scholarships through colleges, tech companies, research organizations, and professional associations focused on analytics, computing, and STEM fields.

Are there scholarships for undergraduate data science students?

Yes. Many scholarships are open to undergraduate students pursuing data science or related majors like computer science, statistics, or data analytics.

What GPA do I need for most data science scholarships?

Requirements vary, but many scholarships look for a GPA of 3.0 or higher along with strong coursework or technical potential.

What documents are needed to apply for a data science scholarship?

Most applications require transcripts, essays, and sometimes letters of recommendation, a resume, or examples of projects and technical work.

Are there scholarships for women in data science?

Yes. Many scholarship programs are designed to support women pursuing careers in data science, analytics, AI, and related technology fields.

Are data science scholarships competitive?

Some are competitive, especially national programs, but applying to data science-specific or local scholarships can improve your chances.

Are there easy or no-essay scholarships for data science students?

Yes. Students can apply for low-effort opportunities like the $2,000 No Essay Scholarship while continuing to pursue more targeted scholarships.

Can graduate students apply for data science scholarships?

Yes. Many data science scholarships support master’s and PhD students, especially those pursuing research in machine learning, statistics, artificial intelligence, or advanced analytics.

Are there scholarships for students interested in AI or machine learning?

Yes. Some scholarships specifically support students pursuing artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, or related computational fields.

Do I need coding experience to qualify for data science scholarships?

Not always, but experience with programming languages like Python, R, or SQL can strengthen your application for more technical scholarships.

Are there scholarships offered by tech companies?

Yes. Some tech companies offer scholarships for students pursuing data science, analytics, computer science, and related majors. These programs may also connect to mentorship or internship opportunities.

Can international students apply for data science scholarships?

Some data science scholarships are open to international students, especially university-based or global STEM programs, but eligibility rules vary by scholarship.

How do I avoid scholarship scams when searching for data science scholarships?

Stick to reputable organizations, avoid scholarships that charge fees, and verify opportunities through official websites or trusted scholarship platforms.

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No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.

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