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Scholarships
Top computer science scholarships
Find scholarships for computer science that can help you pay for college.
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Computer science scholarships
Continuing Professional Education Scholarship
Due: 2/28/26
No Recommendations Required
No min. GPA Required
No Transcripts Required
Varies
Some Continuing Professional Education courses may be eligible for grants and scholarships on a limited basis. Current programs that may be eligible for funding include Activity Director; Cannabis courses; Dental Assistant; CDL B training; Importing and Exporting; Pharmacy Technician; Professional Skills Intensive; RN Refresher; Artificial Intelligence; Big Data; Cybersecurity; IT Fundamentals; Networking; Web development; Workplace Computer Skills; and Veterinary Assistant. Please visit the ...
ADTRAN Mark C. Smith Scholarship
Due: 2/28/26
No essay
No Recommendations Required
No min. GPA Required
No Transcripts Required
Varies
The ADTRAN Mark C. Smith Scholarship is available to students in the College of Engineering, College of Science. Eligible majors are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering. To begin applying for competitive scholarships, you must first be admitted to UAH. The priority deadline for submission of this application is December 15, though applications received after this date will still be considered for any remaining awards after the initial sel...
Diana and Leland Sisson Scholarship
Due: 2/28/26
No essay
No Recommendations Required
No min. GPA Required
No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Diana and Leland Sisson Scholarship supports students from the College of Science majoring in Computer Science. To apply for the competitive scholarships, students must first be admitted to UAH. The priority deadline for submission of the application is December 15, though applications received after this date will still be considered for any remaining awards after the initial selection process has been completed. Students may visit the scholarship's website or contact the Financial Aid O...
Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT) Research Internship
Due: 2/28/26
No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT) Research Internship is ideal for students who are passionate about sustainable connected and autonomous vehicles and are eager to contribute to cutting-edge research in transportation technology. Applicants must be majoring in Environmental Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field in the sciences or engineering. They must provide at least two letters of recommendation, submit an essay, and a one-page research s...
Dynetics, Inc. Endowed Scholarship
Due: 2/28/26
No essay
No Recommendations Required
No min. GPA Required
No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Dynetics, Inc. Endowed Scholarship is open to students in the College of Engineering, College of Science, majoring in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optics, and Computer Science. To apply for the competitive scholarships, students must first be admitted to UAH. The priority deadline for submission of the application is December 15, though applications received after this date will still be considered for any remaining awards after the initial selection process has been complet...
Y. Y. Clark Engineering Scholarship
Due: 5/15/25
No essay
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
$1,000
The Y. Y. Clark Engineering Scholarship is open to full-time students who are members of the US Nationally Underrepresented minority in the field of engineering, technology, and computer science.
Chilton Family Scholarship in CIS
Due: 7/1/25
No essay
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
Varies
This scholarship will be given to a student majoring in computer information systems that is deserving of assistance, as judged by the Chairperson of the Department of Computer Information Systems.
Bill and Diane Mensch Scholarship
Due: 7/15/25
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
Varies
The Bill and Diane Mensch Scholarship is available to undergraduate Engineering junior or senior majoring in Electrical or Computer Engineering with demonstrated financial need.
First Generation College of Engineering and Computer Science Scholarship
Due: 10/31/25
No essay
No Recommendations Required
No min. GPA Required
No Transcripts Required
Varies
The First Generation College of Engineering and Computer Science Scholarship is available to students enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) as an undergraduate student at UCF in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Students must not have received a baccalaureate degree. They must not have defaulted on or owe a refund to any previous aid program. This scholarship is part of the First Generation Matching Grant Program. Additional state requirements must be considered when selecting recipients.
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Key takeaways about computer science scholarships
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Computer science scholarships can help you lower your tuition and reduce how much you may need to borrow.
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Many scholarships are open to high school seniors, current CS majors, and adults returning to school.
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Awards can be merit-based, need-based, identity-based, or tied fields like AI, cybersecurity, or software engineering.
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You’ll stand out by showcasing your coding experience, projects, internships, and community involvement.
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Start applying early — many CS scholarships open months before the school year begins.
If you’re planning to study computer science, you’re stepping into one of the most exciting fields out there. But even with the thrill of coding, building apps, or diving into AI, the cost of a CS degree can be…a lot. The good news? There are tons of computer science scholarships designed to help you get through school with less stress about money. Think of this as your guide — from how these scholarships work to how to apply like a pro.
What are computer science scholarships?
Computer science scholarships are awards that give you free money for college, specifically for students majoring in computing fields. That includes areas like software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, information systems, and more. Awards can come from colleges, nonprofits, tech companies, and professional organizations.
Some focus on academic performance. Others highlight leadership, diversity in tech, financial need, or your passion for STEM. And you don’t have to be a coding genius to qualify — plenty of scholarships are open to newbies and future CS majors.
Why scholarships matter for computer science students
A computer science degree is an investment, and while the payoff can be huge, the cost of tuition, textbooks, and tech tools adds up fast. Scholarships can cover many of those expenses. They can help you:
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Reduce out-of-pocket costs (and maybe skip a part-time job so you can focus on classes).
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Graduate with less debt, which gives you more freedom after college.
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Boost your resume, since earning scholarships shows initiative and commitment.
Plus, there’s a scholarship gap in tech — organizations are actively looking to diversify CS fields, which means students from underrepresented backgrounds may find even more opportunities.
How to qualify for computer science scholarships
Every scholarship has its own rules, but here’s what most are looking for:
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You plan to major (or are already majoring) in computer science or a related field.
This can include software engineering, data analytics, game design, or cybersecurity. -
Your academic performance meets the minimum GPA requirement.
Some want a 3.0+, but others are flexible. -
You’ve shown interest in computer science.
This could be through coding clubs, robotics, hackathons, personal projects, summer programs, or internships. -
You meet eligibility factors like grade level, financial need, or background.
Many awards support women in tech, LGBTQ+ students, first-generation students, and students of color. -
You’re ready to write a short essay.
Some ask about your career goals, a project you built, or why you chose CS.
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Top scholarships for computer science majors
These are the types of awards you’re most likely to find when searching for top scholarships for computer science students. (To browse actual awards, use Scholly Scholarships — thousands of verified scholarships, all in one place.)
1. Merit-based computer science scholarships
These merit-based scholarships focus on academic performance or demonstrated skill in programming. If you’ve taken advanced math, AP CS, or built impressive projects, these are for you.
2. Diversity in tech scholarships
Aimed at supporting students who are underrepresented in CS, including women, Black students, Hispanic students, Native students, and LGBTQ+ students. Many tech companies offer these to encourage diversity in STEM.
3. Need-based computer science scholarships
Need-based scholarships help students who need financial support to pursue a CS degree. You may need to submit FAFSA® to determine eligibility.
4. Corporate and industry-sponsored CS scholarships
Big tech companies often fund scholarships for future programmers, engineers, and data scientists. They can include mentoring, networking, and internship opportunities.
5. STEM-focused scholarship programs
Since CS falls under STEM, many broad STEM scholarships apply. These often have higher dollar amounts and multiple award recipients.
6. Project- or portfolio-based scholarships
If you love building apps or working on side projects, look for scholarships that allow (or require) you to submit your work. Hackathon experience can help too.
7. Scholarships for high school seniors planning to major in CS
These awards help first-year students get started strong and often have early deadlines.
How to apply
You don’t need to overthink this — applying for computer science scholarships is more doable than you think. Here’s the process:
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Use a trusted scholarship search tool.
Tools like Scholly Scholarships help you find awards that fit your background, interests, and major. -
Gather your materials early.
his usually includes your transcript, résumé, personal statement, and sometimes letters of recommendation. -
Show your interest in computer science.
Even a small coding project or basic portfolio can help your application stand out. -
Write a thoughtful essay.
Use your essay to be honest about why you want to pursue CS — whether it's cybersecurity, AI, gaming, or solving real-world problems. -
Track deadlines.
Some scholarship deadlines are in the fall, others in spring. Set reminders so nothing slips through the cracks. -
Apply for easy scholarships.
Our $2,000 No Essay Scholarship is one of the quickest, easiest ways to potentially win free money toward your degree. And check out Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships to apply to multiple Sallie-exclusive scholarships at one time.
Additional resources for computer science students
If you're exploring even more ways to fund your CS degree, these scholarship categories can help you widen your search and find awards that match your interests, background, and future goals in tech.
- Scholarships by major
Explore scholarships that support students in STEM fields like software engineering, cybersecurity, IT, robotics, data science, and AI. Perfect if your CS path leans into a specialized area. - Scholarships for high school seniors
Planning to major in computer science after graduation? These scholarships help future CS majors get ahead before freshman year — especially if you’ve taken AP CS, joined coding clubs, or built your first projects. - Scholarships for college students
Already deep into debugging sessions and algorithms? These scholarships are built for current CS majors, offering support for students taking advanced courses like systems programming, machine learning, or operating systems. - Scholarships for first-generation students
If you’re the first in your family to pursue a tech degree, these scholarships can help you break into the industry with financial support and, in some cases, access to mentorship and STEM resources. - Scholarships for adults
Thinking about switching careers into tech or going back to school for CS? These scholarships help adult learners transition into computer science fields — whether you're exploring software development, IT certifications, or data analysis. - Scholarships for women in tech
Women continue to be underrepresented in computer science. These scholarships are designed to support and empower women pursuing degrees in software engineering, cybersecurity, game design, AI, and other CS specialties. - LGBTQ+ scholarships
LGBTQ+ students pursuing careers in tech can find scholarships that support their academic journey while helping increase representation within computer science fields and STEM workplaces. - Scholarships by state
Many local and regional organizations offer scholarships to encourage students to enter tech careers close to home. These smaller, local awards often have fewer applicants — a major advantage for CS students. - STEM scholarships
Since computer science sits at the heart of STEM, these scholarships open up a wide pool of funding options for students interested in programming, engineering, robotics, data science, and other tech-focused paths.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for computer science scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
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