Although the economy has recovered valiantly from the recession of the late 2000s, it is still not easy for college graduates to enter the workforce straight out of school. According to recent statistics, well over half of recent graduates could not find a job in their chosen field within six months of graduating. However, there is reason to be optimistic, as trends are moving in the right direction. Compared to a few years ago, the percentage of college students offered a job before graduation has climbed ten percentage points. A sizable amount of these job offers have gone to students in the science field.
These statistics, among other factors, have helped scientific fields, particularly chemistry, explode in popularity among recent years. (No pun intended). 2015-2016 statistics tell us that some of the highest-paying jobs for college graduates go to chemistry majors, with median mid-career pay skyrocketing to over $100,000. With the new competitiveness of the field, chem majors may be feeling like they may be locked out of the lab. Not to worry; here are some scholarships for chemistry majors that will make your college application process a successful experiment.
Women in STEM Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 15, 2020
Amount: Varies
Over the past decade or so, the so-called STEM fields, shorthand for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, have jumped to the forefront of competition to become some of the most popular. However, for a myriad of reasons, men dominate these fields. According to a 2012 study, men make up the majority of mathematics and science majors by over 55%.
In order to combat the systematic disadvantages that women studying STEM are burdened with, the appropriately-named Women in STEM Scholarship Program was founded to help even things out. The scholarship requires that women interested in applying be US citizens entering STEM-related fields.
NASF Engineering and Chemistry Scholarship
Deadline: February 28, 2020
Amount: $1,500
NASF, or the National Association for Surface Finishing, focuses mainly on honing the skills of material workers and chemists to help their many business interests. In order to incentivize youngsters to major in material-related fields, such as chemistry, the NASF sponsors an annual Engineering and Chemistry Scholarship for students in either of the majors. Subsets of the NASF’s target audiences will focus on the fields where engineering and chemistry collide, such as metallurgy, environmental engineering, material engineering, chemical engineering, and so on.
In order to apply, students must be majoring in one of the above fields with at least a 3.0 GPA. There are no geographical boundaries or financial restraints taken into account, and students from all walks of life are encouraged to apply. Those awarded the scholarship will receive $1,500, which is sent directly to the accredited institution the student will attend.
American Chemical Society Scholarships
Deadline: March 1
Amount: Varies
The American Chemical Society, or ACS, sponsors multiple scholarships for students who want to study chemistry or in a chemistry-related field. To that end, ACS offers scholarships for both high school seniors accepted into a college, as well as undergraduates and graduate students. Because they offer multiple chemistry scholarships, students should check out the website for more information.
Interested in majoring in Chemistry or another STEM-related field? Use College Raptor’s free match tool to find schools all across the country with Chemistry and STEM programs!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
