Black American Engineering Scholarship

Black American Engineering Scholarship is sponsored by The Helping Project Corp.. This scholarship provides financial assistance to Black Americans pursuing careers in civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. It aims to create diversity in the field and offers a professional mentorship program.

Black American Engineering Scholarship Award From 2021 to 2026, the Black American Engineering Scholarship Award provided opportunities to underrepresented students in the field of engineering through scholarship funds and mentorship. MISSION: To dismantle institutional racism by providing equity for Black Americans in engineering fields.

The Helping Project Corp has been dedicated to creating diversity in the field of engineering and further dismantling institutional racism toward Black Americans in STEM careers.

With only 7% of STEM programs comprised of Black Americans and 9% of engineering degrees awarded to Black Americans, the need to provide opportunities and level the playing field is vitally important—especially since diverse teams are 21% more likely to outperform competitors and 33% more likely to create industry-leading profitability. This flexible scholarship included up to $10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester) of funding.

Scholarship recipients were invited to re-apply for funding for up to four years. The program provided a pathway to achievement for Black Americans pursuing careers in civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. Selected candidates received substantial assistances designed to close the financial gap left after the Pell Grant is used for tuition.

Scholarship funding could be applied to school expenses like tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Scholarship recipients also participated in a mentorship program designed to support their professional success.

– Up to $10,000 per school year was awarded to recipients to be used for tuition, books, fees and/or room & board – Opened to students pursuing careers in the classical engineering fields of civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering, including any subfield of those disciplines (see applicable subfields here ) -Included the opportunity to receive mentoring from successful business professionals – Students selected to receive the BAES Award could re-apply for up to 4 years for a complete Bachelor’s degree To qualify, applicants must have been: – Incoming college freshman/current high school senior, or a student transferring from a two-year program into a four-year program – Eligible for Federal Pell Grant funding – Able to show proven financial need – A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident – In good academic standing – Enrolling in an accredited, not-for-profit four-year institution – Pursuing a degree in civil, electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering, including any subfield of those disciplines Inspired to take action by the powerful Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the summer of 2020, the team at The Helping Project felt compelled to find actionable ways to combat systemic racism.

The group set out to create pathways and opportunities that would have a generational impact and long-term effects on breaking down barriers for Black Americans, while also championing diversity in STEM fields. The Helping Project team specifically designed this scholarship award to help dismantle institutional racism and aid Black American women and men pursuing engineering degrees.

Statistics show STEM fields lack diversity, and institutional racism plays a role. However, research proves diverse teams actually increase profitability and drive innovation. Without equity in STEM careers, exceptionally talented Black American engineers often lack inroads to high-level career opportunities and entry into social-professional networks.

Scholarship winners participated in a professional mentorship program with experienced professionals at top companies in their field. The mentors were excited to create opportunities for a new generation of talented future engineers. Studies show a strong correlation between mentors and the success of underrepresented students in college.

Through extensive interviews with university administrators, the team at The Helping Project realized that having experienced and trusted advisers to steer, guide, and encourage young people as they enter their careers and form their professional identities is invaluable.

The Black American Engineering Scholarship Award’s mentorship program was designed to give recipients the network and support they need to make the most of their talents in school and in their future careers. The mentors in this program were recruited from some of the strongest, most influential engineering circles in the field.

Partnered with scholarship recipients who have similar career interests as their professional paths, mentors worked with students in a relaxed, friendly one-on-one training program built for the students’ success.

Mentors answered questions, offered career advice, helped mentees set and meet goals, and provided real-world experience that will help scholarship recipients build successful, long-lasting careers and professional relationships. Click here to meet past program mentors.

To show gratitude for these talented mentors‘ time and dedication and to honor their devotion to forging opportunities for underrepresented engineering students, the Michael & Robin Lally Forward Foundation created a “thank you” in the form of a charitable grant proudly named the Pay It Forward Mentorship Grant . At the close of every school year, each mentor was awarded a $2,500 grant from The Forward Foundation.

The mentor was given the opportunity to direct the grant in his or her name to a 501(c)3 public charity or educational institution of their choosing. We could never pay back our mentors for their time and talent. Instead, we hoped to pay it forward.

Black American Engineering Scholarship on LinkedIn @thpscholarships on Instagram info@thehelpingproject. org