When Was the Future Stem Leaders Scholarship Established?

The Future STEM Leaders Scholarship is funded through the Aerospace STEM Endowment Fund, which is sustained solely through employee and trustee donations, charitable organizations, and estate gifts.

The Future STEM Leaders Scholarship was established in 2020, building on the success of the Dr. Wanda M. Austin STEM Scholarship in the greater Los Angeles area. The Future STEM Leaders Scholarship program provides a $5,000 scholarship to a selected high school student in Huntsville, AL; Hill, Utah; Colorado Springs, CO; Albuquerque, NM; and Arlington/Alexandria, VA.

The Aerospace STEM Endowment Fund was established in 2015 to support students pursuing careers in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.

How Do I Apply for the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship?

To be considered for the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship, interested students must complete the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship application online.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE FUTURE STEM LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP? 

We highly recommend that all students apply for the Future STEM Leaders by the deadline date listed on the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship application.  

WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED AS TO WHETHER I HAVE RECIEVED THE FUTURE STEM LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP? 

All students will be notified of their status of their application by the end of May at the latest.

I HAVE SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION FOR THE FUTURE STEM LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP, BUT I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION EMAIL.    

If you did not receive an email confirmation, please check your spam and junk folder. If you have not received an email, please contact us at futurestemleadersscholarship@aero.org.

CAN I APPLY IF I HAVE A STUDENT VISA BUT AM NOT A US CITIZEN? 

You must be a US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident to apply for the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship.

IF SELECTED, WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS? 

The scholarship funds are distributed after high school graduation and acceptance into a four-year college or university. Funds will be distributed directly to your college or university and are non-renewable.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE RECIPIENTS IF SELECTED FOR THE FUTURE STEM LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP? 

If an applicant is awarded a scholarship, they will be expected to participate in an annual summer STEM outreach program at The Aerospace Corporation, targeting local high school students and science teachers. All scholarship recipients may be asked to attend and/or speak at, no more than once annually, Aerospace endowment outreach events at Aerospace or Endowment expense.

I AM NOT SELECTED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP, CAN I STILL ATTEND AEROSPACE STEM EVENTS? 

Yes, all applicants are invited to attend the Aerospace STEM Institute, which is a summer program that covers topics like rockets and launch, small satellites, and robotics. This is a hybrid program with limited opportunities for in-person participation in California. You can view additional Aerospace STEM Events by clicking here.

IF SELECTED, WILL MY SCHOLARSHIP AUTOMATICALLY POST TO MY STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ACCOUNT WHEN I BEGIN MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE? 

The scholarship funds are distributed after high school graduation and acceptance into a four-year college or university. Funds are non-renewable. To process the scholarship fund, recipients must submit an acceptance letter, course and fee statement, and Student ID number to their Aerospace POC.

IF SELECTED AND CHOOSE TO STUDY ABROAD, CAN I USE MY FUTURE STEM LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND?

Funds can be distributed to a U.S. accredited college or university.