About SWE-LA Graduate Scholarships

Each year, the Los Angeles Section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE-LA) administers scholarships funded by industry and individual donations to support SWE student members in their engineering studies and to help alleviate the financial burden. In FY23, an inaugural Graduate Student Scholarship was added to SWE-LA’s repertoire of available awards as a focused way to support and empower women engineering students pursuing advanced degrees.

A successful applicant must demonstrate high academic ability and show a keen interest in their professional development in the engineering field by participating in technical organizations, holding leadership positions, conducting research projects, or pursuing engineering or non-engineering related work opportunities. The applicant is a problem solver, a committed doer, and an effective communicator who is an example to other students as a leader. Special consideration will be given to those with unique circumstances and financial need.

All genders are eligible to apply for this scholarship, but please note that applications will be heavily weighed on the basis of advancing women in engineering.

The applicant must currently be enrolled as a full-time Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), or Doctoral (Ph.D.) student at one of the eight universities supported by the SWE-LA – Cal Poly Pomona, Caltech, Cal State LA, Cal State Northridge, Harvey Mudd, Loyola Marymount, UCLA, or USC. The applicant must be enrolled as a student through the Spring 2026 quarter/semester. The applicant must be a paid SWE student member in good standing.

For any questions about exceptions or questions about the application in general, please email Jasmine (Graduate/Academia Chair) at graduateacademia.swela@gmail.com!

2026 Scholarship Deadline

  

All applications are due Saturday, February 28, 2026.

application details

To be accepted for judging, an applicant must submit all required items electronically by Friday, February 28th, 2026. Applicants must submit Google form scholarship application, transcript, curriculum vitae, and proof of paid SWE membership. Each person serving as a reference needs to submit his/her/their own letter directly to graduateacademia.swela@gmail.com. Be sure to fill out the names of the references on the application so the letters can be matched correctly. The applicant is responsible for seeing that all necessary information (completed application form, transcript, curriculum vitae, and letters of recommendation) is submitted by the deadline. The applicant will be disqualified from judging, with no further follow-up, if these instructions are not followed.

*Applicants receiving other scholarships and/or previous Society of Women Engineers scholarships are eligible to apply.

**Copies of recommendation letters submitted for other scholarships are acceptable, as long as they are up-to-date and reflect the student’s current academic achievement and professional development.

  1. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM: Please fill out the application on Google form: SWE-LA 2026 Graduate Scholarship Application
    • Application includes three applicant essays. The length of each essay is limited to 500 words (12 pt. font) and should describe the applicant’s feelings on the following:
      • Why the applicant decided to study engineering and why he/she chose their particular major.
      • Why the applicant has applied for the SWE-LA scholarship.
      • What the applicant considers their most important achievement to date.
  2. TRANSCRIPT: A copy (PDF version) of the applicant’s transcript must show grades for the entire enrollment in current school (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
  3. RESUME/CV: A PDF copy of your resume should be attached and submitted along with your other application materials.
  4. PROOF OF PAID SWE MEMBERSHIP: A copy of your dues payment or screenshot from your swe.org profile (click “My Member Subscriptions” and must show the “paid through date”).
  5. REFERENCE LETTER 1 – Letter of reference from faculty advisor detailing the applicant’s academic performance. Letter must be dated in the application year and emailed to graduateacademia.swela@gmail.com. 
  6. REFERENCE LETTER 2 – Letter of reference from another engineering professor, an
  7. employer (present or former), or someone closely associated with any extracurricular activities (such as a coach or faculty sponsor). Applicant’s employment need not be connected with engineering. Letter must be dated in the application year and emailed to graduateacademia.swela@gmail.com. 
  8. SWE REFERENCE LETTER (Optional, Recommended): Letter of reference from a Professional SWE member in good standing detailing applicant’s contributions to SWE. Letter must be dated in the application year and emailed to graduateacademia.swela@gmail.com.

Note: Submit all additional documents to graduateacademia.swela@gmail.com.

The below shows the weights of the various parts of the scholarship application:

  • 30% campus/leadership/volunteering/engineering experience
    • SWE involvement is encouraged and preferred, but not mandatory
  • 40% essays
    • It is encouraged to write about different aspects to showcase a holistic view of the applicant
  • 30% letters of recommendation
  • February 28th, 2026 – applications due
  • Mid-March 2026 – interviews conducted
  • Late March 2026 – recipients notified
  • April 2026 – scholarships awarded


Apply Now!

For any questions about exceptions or questions about the application in general, please email Jasmine (Graduate/Academia Chair) at graduateacademia.swela@gmail.com!