Goldwater Scholarship

Deadline

Overview

The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious award for STEM majors. It is open to second- and third-year students who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. 

Benefits

Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. Scholarship monies not used during one academic year are not transferable to the succeeding academic year. Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years (4 semesters) of scholarship support, and senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of one year (2 semesters) of scholarship support.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for nomination for a Goldwater Scholarship, a student must...

1. Be a full-time, matriculated second- or third-year undergraduate pursuing a degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university,
2. Intend to pursue a research career in a natural science, mathematics or engineering,
3. Have a college grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale 3, and
4. Be a U.S. citizen from the 50 states or the District of Columbia; a U.S. national for those students nominated by institutions in Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; or a permanent resident. A permanent resident must submit a photocopy of their Permanent Resident Card, also known as the Green Card.

Selection criteria

Goldwater Scholars are selected on the basis of the following criteria: 

• High Academic Achievement: A GPA above 3.8 and evidence of "intellectual intensity" as shown by early participation in graduate courses and accomplishments outside the classroom. Selection committees also look for indicators that the student will make significant future contributions in his or her chosen field. 
• Commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Internships, research, and related employment strengthen a student's application. Students should also have shown involvement in math, science, or engineering (STEM) student or professional organizations. Activities not related to math, science, or engineering bear little weight, however. 
• Letters of recommendation: Evaluations should come from faculty members who can discuss the applicant's potential for a career in math, science, or engineering. At least one of these must be in the applicant's field of study. Applicants who have done research must obtain a letter from the individual who supervised his or her work.

Application Process

To apply for the Goldwater Scholarship, students must first be nominated by ASU. The University may nominate up to four students for this award. Although many students may be eligible to apply for this award, not all eligible students are competitive.

For complete application instructions, refer to the materials provided on the 'Apply Now' page on the ONSA site.

Upcoming events

For upcoming information sessions, refer to the 'Info Sessions' calendar on the ONSA site.

Related stories

• ASU Dean's Medalist, Goldwater Scholar Madeleine Howell Heads to Harvard (2020)
• Three Students Named Goldwater Scholars (2019)
• Goldwater Scholar Humza Zubair Prepares for Career as Researcher-Physician (2019)
• Goldwater Scholar Meilin Zhu Aims to Solve Global Health Issues (2019)
• Two ASU Juniors Win Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship (2018)
• Three ASU Students Receive Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship (2016)
• ASU Engineering Student Morgan Kelley Awarded Goldwater Scholarship (2015)