On behalf of the Aerospace Corporation, we would like to congratulate the new recipients of the 2024 Future STEM Leaders Scholarship.
 

About the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship

The Aerospace STEM Endowment Fund was established in 2015 to support students pursuing careers in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide a professional mentorship opportunity for high school students during their senior year, and to provide financial assistance to underrepresented and underprivileged students studying STEM disciplines at a public or private four-year college or university.

Selection is based on academic performance, community service and leadership potential.

The Aerospace Future STEM Leaders scholarship are awarded without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Scholarships awarded are based on the availability of funds and additional qualifying criteria.

For the Future STEM Leaders Program FAQ, please click here. 

Note: Children of The Aerospace Corporation employees are not eligible for the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship. 
 

Scholarship Amount

The Future STEM Leaders Scholarship program provides a $5,000 scholarship to a selected high school student at each of the following five (5) locations: Huntsville, AL; Colorado Springs, CO; Albuquerque, NM; Chantilly, VA; Hill, Utah or Arlington/Alexandria, VA. The scholarship funds are distributed after high school graduation and acceptance into a four-year college or university. Funds are non-renewable.

STEM Scholarship Requirements   

• Due date: Friday, May 2, 2025. Click here to apply.  
• Refer to the application process below for a list of the supporting documents needed. Incomplete or illegible applications will not be considered. 
• If any question in this application does not apply to you, put N/A (not applicable) in the space.
• You will be notified by phone or email in May regarding the status of your application.
   

Submission Criteria  

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status within the state of New Mexico, Alabama, Colorado, Virginia or Utah.
• Applicants must be over the age of 13 to apply. Aerospace will not accept an application from an applicant who does not meet this age requirement.
• Applicants must be high school seniors or juniors on an educational track to apply in their senior year to a full-time program at a four-year college or university. High school juniors are preferred so they can participate in mentorship and support activities. NOTE: High school juniors will be expected to participate in summer STEM outreach program. 
• Applicants must have a record of leadership and active participation in community-service activities.
• Applicants must be interested in pursuing a degree in the physical sciences, computer sciences, engineering, or mathematics.
• Applicants must demonstrate a need for financial assistance or evidence of another obstacle.
   

Timeline

• Applications are due no later than the application due date.
• Candidates who are eligible for interviews will be notified at the beginning of May. 
• Applicants will be notified in June if they have been awarded a mentorship and scholarship.
• Scholarship checks will be sent directly to the scholarship recipient’s school and not to the scholarship recipient. 
   

Application Process 

Applicants should provide:

• Completed application form. 
• Official high school transcript. 
• An academic reference from a guidance or teacher. 
• A reference letter from an employer or other community member. 

Additional responsibilities of scholarship recipient:

• If 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.

Additional benefits to the scholarship recipient:

• The recipient will be assigned an Aerospace mentor who will meet (virtually or in-person, as public health permits) for 1-2 hours a month throughout the scholar’s senior year of high school. This mentor can be a resource for the scholar on both professional development topics and the college application/selection process.

Application due date: Friday, May 2, 2025.  

Do you have questions? 
e-mail: futurestemleadersscholarship@aero.org