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College Grants for Math Students

Math majors work as accountants, teachers, actuaries, and in fields like computer programming and software development.  A range of technical vocations require talented mathematicians, so college graduates work in academic, public and private sector jobs. The highest percentages of graduates earning Bachelor’s degrees in mathematics end up working in fields like computer sciences, finance, research and education.

Nearly half of all math majors who graduate with master’s degrees seek professional employment in academics – either teaching or conducting research, statistics, or computer programming.

Funding for math students recognizes financial need and academic achievement, as well as particular individual attributes like race, location and gender.  Use personal characteristics, and career aspirations to land aid from government and private sector sources dedicated to math education.

Federal and State Grants for Math

Widespread grants for math and science education point to a heightened emphasis on technology-related academic disciplines.  STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields require the best and brightest thinkers, to innovate and move research ahead. As a result, campus programs strive to recruit top talent in these forward-thinking areas.

Federal and state initiatives aid students with STEM aptitude. Grants enhance global academic competitiveness, so the Federal Government has ramped up its portfolio of assistance for certain degree candidates.  These Department of Education initiatives offer gift-aid to qualified students:

• Pell Grants assist low and middle-income students with generous grants for education. Students apply for Pell funding using the standard FAFSA application, which is a prerequisite for other federal aid too.
• Academic Competitiveness Grants augment Pell Grants for high-achieving undergraduate freshman and sophomores enrolled in STEM oriented degree programs.
• The National SMART Grant augments the Pell Grant, by awarding additional funding to academically talented students who are pursuing credentials within science, math, and engineering disciplines. The grant is available to undergraduate juniors or seniors, so it picks-up where ACG leaves-off.

Bolstering access to higher education for promising math teachers is a mission shared by state and federal financial aid agencies.  Many state initiatives offer tuition for service agreements that provide waivers for state college tuition expenses, in exchange for commitments to teach mathematics and science at designated schools.  This Kansas program is typical of those offered by individual states:

• Kansas Board of Regents sponsors a Math or Science Teacher Service Scholarship. Undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing degrees in science or mathematics qualify for Kansas scholarships, provided they agree to teach in the Kansas school system after graduation. Each year of scholarship support requires two years of employment in the state school system.

Underrepresented Populations Earn Math Grants

To increase access to higher education for certain minority groups, advocacy organizations and other benefactors put forth scholarships and grants reserved for targeted members of the student body.  Women and minorities qualify for math scholarships from organizations committed to greater representation among disadvantaged applicants.  these examples illustrate student-specific financial aid opportunities for math students:

• The American Statistical Society’s Gertrude Cox Scholarship for Women is awarded to graduate level women pursuing degrees in mathematical sciences.
• The Association of Women in Mathematics is one of the most active professional associations dedicated to the interests of women in science and math.  The group sponsors an essay competition annually, for the benefit of  math students.
• The National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science grants funding for minorities and women enrolled in certain science and math programs.

Additional Grant Opportunities for Math Majors

Aspiring math majors tap industry associations and professional foundations for educational assistance.  Grant funding is made available from professional organizations, to support career pursuits of working mathematicians, and to educate future generations of math professionals.

• The National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsors annual Graduate Research Fellowships. These merit-based grants support research projects for graduate-level math, computer science, engineering, physics and chemistry students. Awards cover tuition costs, and additional stipends are often included.
• The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduates Fellowship program is sponsored by the Army, Navy and Air Force. These fellowships are designed for graduate students in their first year of post-baccalaureate enrollment in qualified math and engineering programs.
• Naval Research Laboratory Post-Doctoral Fellowships attract some of the brightest minds in math and science, providing financial backing for approved graduate programs. Students pursuing research positions are eligible to work on Navy projects, with the assistance of stipends and other financial allowances.