Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows some eligible Veterans and dependents in high-demand fields to extend their Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Fry Scholarship benefits. Read below to find out if you’re eligible for up to 9 months (or $30,000) of added benefits and how to apply.

Am I eligible for the Rogers STEM Scholarship (GI Bill® extension)?

You may be eligible for this scholarship as a Veteran or a Fry Scholar if you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true:

You’re currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree program or qualifying dual-degree program, or
You’ve earned a post-secondary degree or a graduate degree in an approved STEM degree field and are enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals, or
You’ve earned a post-secondary degree in an approved STEM degree field and are working toward a teaching certification

Full eligibility requirements

To be eligible, you need to meet all of the requirements listed here for your situation.

If you’re currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree or qualifying dual-degree program

All of the following must be true:

You’re enrolled in a qualifying undergraduate STEM degree program that requires at least 120 standard semester credit hours (or 180 quarter credit hours) to complete, and
You’ve completed at least 60 standard credit hours (or 90 quarter credit hours) toward your degree, and
You have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.

Note: You can’t use the STEM scholarship for graduate degree programs at this time.

If you’re enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals

All of these must be true:

You’ve earned a qualifying degree in a STEM field, and
You’ve been accepted or are enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals, and
You have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.

If you’re working toward a teaching certification

All of these must be true:

You’ve earned a qualifying post-secondary degree in a STEM field, and
You’ve been accepted or are enrolled in a teaching certification program, and
You have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.

How We Prioritize Scholarships

If you meet these eligibility requirements, we can’t guarantee that you’ll receive the Rogers STEM scholarship.

We give priority to Veterans and Fry Scholars who:

Are eligible for the maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit (100% level), and
Require the most credit hours compared to other applicants

Which degree programs can I use this scholarship for?

You can use this scholarship for undergraduate degree programs in these subject areas:

Agriculture science or natural resources science
Biological or biomedical science
Computer and information science and support services
Engineering, engineering technologies, or an engineering-related field
Health care or a health-care-related field
Mathematics or statistics
Medical residency (undergraduate only)
Physical science
Science technologies or technicians

How do I apply for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship?

You can apply online right now. The online application should take you about 15 minutes to complete.

Visit va.gov and search “Nourse,” then scroll down to Apply for the STEM?Scholarship.

More questions about the Rogers STEM Scholarship

What happens after I apply for this scholarship?

We usually make a decision about each scholarship within 30 days. We award scholarships on a monthly basis. If we need more information from you to make a decision, we’ll send you a letter.

If we approve your application, you’ll get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. This is also called a decision letter. Bring this COE to the VA certifying official at your school. This person is usually in the registrar’s, financial aid, or Veteran's office at the school.

If we don’t approve your application, you’ll get a denial letter in the mail.

What’s STEMText?

We use STEMText to communicate with you about your Rogers STEM Scholarship benefits through text messages.

If you receive the Rogers STEM Scholarship, we’ll send an opt-in text message to your primary phone number. We’ll ask if you’d like to receive updates about your VA STEM benefits by text message. To participate, respond “yes” within 7 days of receiving this message.

You can also use STEMText to verify your attendance each month. Verifying by text instead of email can help you get your housing payments faster. We’ll send you a text message each month asking if you attended your STEM courses. To verify, just respond “yes.”

Note: If you need to update your primary phone number, call us at 888-442-4551. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 711.

What benefits can I get with this scholarship?

If we approve your application, you’ll get up to 9 months of added benefits (or $30,000, whichever comes first). Your monthly benefits will be the amount you received through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Fry Scholarship.

What are the scholarship rates for private schools?

The Chapter 33 rates for private or foreign schools apply to the STEM scholarship as well. We update these rates each academic year. Review the current rates for Chapter 33 benefits on Page 4.

Can I use this scholarship for graduate degree programs?

No. You can only use the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship for an undergraduate degree program, a teaching certification, or a covered training program for health care professionals.

Can I use the Yellow Ribbon Program with the STEM scholarship?

No. You can’t use the Yellow Ribbon Program with this scholarship. Schools can apply for Yellow Ribbon funding, but we can’t match it.

Can I take part in the work-study program while I’m using the STEM scholarship?

Yes. If you have a STEM scholarship, you’re now eligible to apply for the Veterans work-study program.

Can I transfer my STEM scholarship to my dependents?

No. You can’t transfer these benefits to dependents.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill