SWE International Scholarship 2027 | Study in United States — Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Engineering scholarships for women are not rare, but most assume you’re already a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. SWE runs a dedicated International Scholarship track specifically to close that gap.
About the Scholarship
The Society of Women Engineers International Scholarship supports women pursuing engineering, engineering technology, or computer science degrees at ABET-accredited U.S. institutions. It sits within SWE’s much larger scholarship program, but is specifically structured for students who would not qualify under the organization’s citizenship-restricted tracks.
SWE has run scholarship programs for decades, making it one of the more established organizations specifically supporting women in engineering fields. The International Scholarship reflects a deliberate effort to extend that support beyond U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
The organization’s broader network spans student chapters, professional members, and corporate partners across the engineering industry, meaning scholars often gain more than just funding through their connection to SWE’s community.
Scholarship Benefits
- Scholarship funding specifically reserved for international women in engineering and computer science
- Recognition from one of the longest-running women-in-engineering organizations in the U.S.
- Access to SWE’s broader professional network and mentoring resources
- Eligibility across both undergraduate and graduate levels
Eligibility Criteria
- You must identify as female
- You must be pursuing an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology, or computer science program
- Your program must be at a U.S. institution
- You must be an international student, not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- You must meet the academic standing requirements set by the current SWE scholarship cycle
Fields of Study Covered
The scholarship is limited to engineering, engineering technology, and computer science programs that carry ABET accreditation. Programs outside this accreditation or field scope are not eligible, even if closely related.
Required Documents
- A completed SWE scholarship application
- Proof of international student status
- Confirmation of enrollment in an ABET-accredited program
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation, where required by the current cycle
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Confirm your program carries ABET accreditation
- Confirm your international student status, since this scholarship track is specifically for non-citizens and non-permanent residents
- Gather your transcripts and recommendation letters
- Submit your complete application before the February 15 deadline
Selection Process
SWE’s review committee evaluates applications for academic achievement and genuine engagement with engineering or computer science as a field. Because this track is specifically reserved for international students, applicants are not competing against the much larger pool of U.S. citizen and permanent resident applicants in SWE’s general scholarship programs.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Confirm your program’s ABET accreditation status before applying, since this is a strict eligibility requirement
- Keep your transcripts current and request them with enough lead time before the February deadline
- Highlight any engineering-related projects, internships, or extracurricular involvement in your application
- Apply specifically under the International Scholarship track rather than SWE’s citizenship-restricted programs
- Women in other STEM fields may also want to compare this against the ACI Foundation Scholarship if their focus is concrete or civil engineering specifically
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I’m not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
Yes, this specific scholarship track exists for international students, unlike many of SWE’s other scholarship programs.
Is this scholarship only for undergraduate students?
No, both undergraduate and graduate students in eligible fields can apply.
Does my program need to be ABET-accredited?
Yes, this is a firm eligibility requirement for the SWE International Scholarship.
Can men apply to this scholarship?
No, SWE scholarships are specifically for women pursuing engineering and computer science fields.
What fields outside traditional engineering are eligible?
Computer science is explicitly included alongside engineering and engineering technology programs.
Is there a GPA requirement?
Specific thresholds can vary by cycle; focus on presenting the strongest possible academic record available to you.
How many International Scholarships does SWE award each year?
The number of awards can vary by cycle and available funding; check SWE’s current scholarship materials for recent figures.
Can I combine this scholarship with other SWE awards?
Check SWE’s current policy on applying to multiple scholarship tracks within the same cycle, since this is not always explicitly addressed in general program materials.
Is membership in SWE required before applying?
Confirm the current application guidance, since some SWE scholarship tracks expect active student membership as part of eligibility.