In today’s competitive world, pursuing higher education has become essential for students to secure a comfortable and successful career. For many years, the United States has been a top study destination for both domestic and international students, housing some of the most prestigious universities globally. From the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford, the list of renowned institutions is extensive. However, gaining admission to these universities is neither easy nor affordable.
The cost of higher education in the U.S. is notoriously high, making financial assistance a critical resource for many students. To help students achieve their academic goals, many universities offer financial aid, including scholarships. Additionally, these institutions often support external scholarships, one of which is the SMART Scholarship.
What is the SMART Scholarship?
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). It offers a unique opportunity for aspiring leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by combining education with workforce development. The program provides two distinct scholarship opportunities:
- The SMART Scholarship: This scholarship is for students currently enrolled in college or university, or those with previous college credit. Applicants must possess, or will possess by the end of the fall term, a college transcript from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. It is also open to students pursuing graduate degrees at such institutions.
- The Ronald V. Dellums Memorial SMART Scholarship (Dellums SMART Scholarship): This scholarship targets students with no prior college credit who intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree. It particularly encourages applicants seeking to attend historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), minority institutions, or minority-serving institutions.
Benefits of the SMART Scholarship
Recipients of either scholarship receive the following:
- Full tuition coverage
- Annual stipends
- Health and book allowances
- Mentorship opportunities
- Internships at Department of Defense (DoD) facilities
The program serves as a pathway to a rewarding civilian career with the DoD. To start, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and pursue a degree in one of SMART’s 24 STEM disciplines:
- Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biosciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science and Analytics
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Geosciences
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Oceanography
- Operations Research
- Physics
- Software Engineering
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
- Be 18 years of age or older by January 1, 2026
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Be currently pursuing, or intend to pursue in fall 2025, a degree in a SMART STEM discipline
- Request between 1-5 years of degree funding, which will begin in August 2025
- Complete mandatory summer internships
- Accept a one-for-one post-graduation service commitment as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense
For more information, applicants are advised to visit the official website of the Department of Defence, or can click here.
