SMART Scholarship supports students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The SMART Scholarship provides full tuition and an annual stipend of $30,000–$46,000, plus health and book allowances, mentorship, and internship opportunities, with degree funding available for 1–5 years starting in August 2027.
The program is the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoW). Awardees accept a post-graduation DoW civilian employment commitment and may complete summer internships at a DoW facility for awards longer than 1.5 years.
SMART Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition
- Annual stipend of $30,000–$46,000, depending on degree level
- Health allowance
- Book allowance
- Mentorship
- Summer internships at a DoW facility for awards greater than 1.5 years
- DoW civilian career after graduation
SMART Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
- 18 years old or older by January 1, 2028
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Currently studying or planning to study in Fall 2027
- Enrolled or planning to enroll at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- Pursuing or planning to pursue an approved STEM discipline
- Able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- Requesting 1–5 years of degree funding, starting in August 2027
- Willing to complete summer internships for awards longer than 1.5 years
- Willing to accept a one-for-one post-graduation service commitment as a DoW civilian employee
- High school seniors and incoming college freshmen planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Fall 2027 are also eligible
- Permanent residents and applicants with future military service commitments, such as ROTC, are not eligible
How to Apply for SMART Scholarship
- Review the SMART eligibility requirements and make sure your degree is included in an approved STEM discipline.
- Complete the registration page on the official SMART website. This step confirms your eligibility and gives you access to the application portal.
- After registration, you will receive an email with instructions to set up your account, log in, and start your application.
- Complete all required parts of the online application, including your personal information, experiences, proposed award details, and personal statement.
- Upload your resume and most recent unofficial transcript. High school seniors and incoming freshmen should upload their most recent or final high school transcript.
- Add at least two references. You can add up to three. Choose people who know your academic achievements or professional experience, preferably in a STEM-related setting.
- Check the progress bar and application checklist to make sure you have completed every required section.
- Make sure SMART receives all required reference forms before the deadline. Late reference submissions are not accepted.
- Click “Submit Application” before December 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Completing the application alone is not enough. You must click the submit button.
- You can save an unfinished application and return to it later. If you reopen a submitted application to make changes, you must submit it again before the deadline.
- Applications are submitted online only. SAT, ACT, and GRE scores are not required and are not considered during evaluation.
Studying in the United States?
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the SMART Scholarship 2027. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply for the SMART Scholarship.
What is the SMART Scholarship?
The SMART Scholarship is the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship-for-Service Program funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. It supports students in approved STEM disciplines with full tuition, an annual stipend of $30,000–$46,000, health and book allowances, mentorship, and summer internships for awards longer than 1.5 years.
Who funds the SMART Scholarship?
The SMART Scholarship is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoW). The program places scholars with DoW Sponsoring Facilities and requires a post-graduation DoW civilian employment commitment — one year of service for every year of SMART-sponsored degree funding.
Which study levels are eligible for SMART?
SMART funds degree levels including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. The program also allows eligible high school seniors and incoming college freshmen planning to begin a bachelor’s degree in Fall 2027 to apply, with degree funding requested for 1–5 years starting in August 2027.
What benefits do SMART scholars receive?
SMART scholars receive full tuition coverage, an annual stipend between $30,000 and $46,000 depending on degree level, health and book allowances, mentorship, and possible summer internships at a DoW facility for awards longer than 1.5 years. Scholars are expected to work as DoW civilian employees after graduation.
Who is eligible to apply for SMART?
Eligible applicants are citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, at least 18 years old by January 1, 2028, with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and enrolled or planning to enroll at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university in an approved STEM discipline.
Are there any citizenship or residency restrictions?
Yes. Applicants must be citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. Permanent residents and applicants with future military service commitments, such as ROTC, are not eligible according to the program details.
What is the application deadline for SMART Scholarship 2027?
The application deadline listed in the official content is December 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Applicants must ensure all parts of their application, including references, are submitted and that they click the final “Submit Application” button before the deadline.
How long does SMART fund degrees and what is the service commitment?
SMART allows applicants to request 1–5 years of degree funding starting in August 2027. After graduation, scholars commit to one year of DoW civilian employment for every year of SMART-sponsored degree funding. Scholars with awards longer than 1.5 years also complete summer internships at a DoW facility.
What documents are required for the SMART application?
Applicants must complete the online application and upload a resume and the most recent unofficial transcript. High school seniors and incoming freshmen should upload their most recent or final high school transcript. At least two references (up to three) are required, and reference forms must be received before the deadline.
Are standardized test scores required for SMART?
No. The SMART application notes that SAT, ACT, and GRE scores are not required and are not considered during evaluation. Applications are submitted online only, and applicants should follow the registration and account setup steps on the official SMART website.
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