Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is an extension of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) designed specifically for veterans and dependents pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, or teaching certification programs in STEM subjects.

STEM degree programs often require more credit hours than a standard bachelor's degree, which means veterans can run out of GI Bill entitlement before finishing. The STEM Scholarship provides up to 9 additional months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, or $30,000, whichever is less. Benefits cover the same expenses as the Post-9/11 GI Bill: tuition and fees, monthly housing allowance, and books and supplies stipend.

To qualify for the STEM Scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Using Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): You must be currently using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. The STEM Scholarship is not available for the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), VR&E (Chapter 31), or any other education benefit chapter.
• Enrolled in a qualifying STEM program: You must be enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree program or a teaching certification program that leads to teaching STEM in an elementary or secondary school.
• 6 months or fewer of GI Bill entitlement remaining: At the time of application, you must have six months or fewer of Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement remaining. You can also apply if you have already exhausted your entitlement.

Note: The STEM Scholarship generally does not apply to graduate programs, with the exception of teaching certification programs that lead to STEM teaching credentials.

The VA maintains an approved list of STEM programs that qualify for this scholarship. Qualifying fields generally include:

• Science: Biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and related fields
• Technology: Computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, and related fields
• Engineering: All engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, biomedical, etc.)
• Math: Mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, and related fields
• Healthcare: Certain healthcare programs including nursing, pharmacy, and other clinical programs that qualify as STEM
• Teaching certification: Programs leading to STEM teaching certification for elementary or secondary education

Your specific degree program must be on the VA's approved list. You can check whether your program qualifies on the VA's STEM Scholarship page. If your program is not listed, you will not be approved, even if the subject matter seems like it should qualify.

Apply for the STEM Scholarship using VA Form 22-10203 (Application for Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship). You can submit this form:

• Online: Apply through VA.gov — this is the fastest and recommended method
• By mail: Download VA Form 22-10203, complete it, and mail it to the VA

Application Timing

You can apply while you are still using your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits — you do not need to wait until your entitlement is fully exhausted. In fact, applying before your benefits run out is recommended so there is no gap in your benefits if approved.

The VA will verify your remaining entitlement, your enrollment status, and whether your program is on the approved STEM list. Processing times vary, but expect it to take several weeks.

• Competitive — not all applicants are approved: The STEM Scholarship has limited funding. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval. The VA prioritizes applicants based on available funding and other factors.
• Must be actively enrolled: You must be enrolled in your STEM program at the time of application. You cannot apply if you have already graduated or are no longer attending.
• Program must be on the VA's approved list: This is the most common reason for denial. Before applying, verify that your specific program at your specific school is on the VA's approved STEM programs list.
• Benefits cover the same expenses as the Post-9/11 GI Bill: The STEM Scholarship provides the same types of payments — tuition and fees paid to the school, monthly housing allowance, and books and supplies stipend. It does not provide any additional types of funding.
• The $30,000 cap is total, not annual: The maximum benefit is $30,000 or 9 months of entitlement, whichever is less. This is the total amount across the entire scholarship period, not a per-year figure.
• Cannot be combined with other chapters: This extension only works with the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). If you are using Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) or any other education benefit, you are not eligible.

• VA STEM Scholarship Overview
• Approved STEM Programs List
• VA Form 22-10203 (STEM Scholarship Application)
• Apply for VA Education Benefits (VA.gov)