HITEC Foundation Scholarships: Empowering Future Tech Leaders

The HITEC Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the next generation of technology students by investing in them through scholarships, mentorship, and career opportunities. With a focus on accelerating the representation of leaders in tech, the Foundation empowers students with the vital financial support to pursue their dreams.

Investing in Future Technology Professionals

The HITEC Foundation is dedicated to investing in the next generation of technology professionals. Since 2017, their scholarship program has granted 414 scholarships totaling an impressive $1,397,000. The HITEC Foundation supports its scholars with financial support, mentorship from industry professionals, and connections to internship opportunities. Beyond financial support, HITEC Scholars benefit from invaluable mentorship from the HITEC network, as well as career development support.

HITEC Foundation Scholarship Details

Through the program, HITEC Foundation will award scholarships to students pursuing a degree in technology at an accredited, non-profit college/university or vocational/technical school in the United States. Scholarships of up to $5,000 per student are available to those who meet the requirements. This competitive program is open to graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate/graduate students of Hispanic/Latinx heritage who are majoring in Technology or a related discipline with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Eligibility for HITEC Foundation Scholarship

To be eligible for the HITEC Foundation Scholarship, applicants must be Hispanic and Latino students, from high school seniors to undergraduates to graduate students, who meet the requirements. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident or have active Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

Eligible Technology-Related Majors include, but are not limited to:

Applied Science of Mathematics
Artificial Intelligence
Augmented Intelligence
Biomedical Engineering
Cognitive Science
Computer Analysis
Computer Hardware Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Software Engineering
Computer Systems Networking
Cybersecurity
Data Analytics
Data Science-Statistics
Database Administration
Electrical Engineering
Information Systems
Information Technology
Information Technology Management
Mechanical Engineering
Network Management
Networking Engineering
Software Engineering
Statistics
Systems Engineering
Telecommunications
Web Development

This is not a comprehensive list of eligible majors.

Applying for the HITEC-Illinois Tech Scholarship

HITEC members who are ready to pursue a Master of Business Administration or Master of Science degree from the STEM-focused Illinois Tech Stuart School of Business should apply by June 15, 2025, to be considered for the HITEC-Illinois Tech scholarship.

The following programs are applicable:

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) - Business Analytics
Finance (M.S.)
Management Science (M.S.)
Marketing Analytics (M.S.)
Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.)
Sustainability Analytics and Management (M.S.)
Technological Entrepreneurship (M.A.S. or M.S.)

The Stuart School of Business programs offer flexible, hybrid, part-time, and in-person modalities for learners.

Scholarships are open to HITEC Foundation Scholars and Alumni, HITEC members, corporate sponsors, and HITEC Emerging Executive Program Graduates who are ready to pursue a Master of Business or Master of Science degree. The students who meet the application requirements are eligible for a scholarship of up to $14,000 per student. Scholarships are awarded upon the student’s Illinois Tech application approval.

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HITEC members who are ready to apply should use the application link and complete the required information. Application fees have been waived. The enrollment office team will review submissions, generally within two weeks, along with a determination of approval, provided all application materials have been submitted correctly. Scholarships are awarded in accordance with Illinois Tech’s guidelines on a first-come-first-served basis.

HITEC Foundation Mentorship Program

The HITEC Foundation Mentorship Program aims to support and inspire HITEC scholars as they pursue educational and professional goals in the technology industry. By sharing their knowledge, experiences, and insights, mentors provide invaluable guidance to scholars who are navigating similar challenges mentors once faced.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities in Information Technology

While the HITEC Foundation Scholarship is a valuable resource, numerous other scholarships are available for students pursuing degrees in information technology and related fields. These scholarships can be broadly categorized into general IT scholarships, scholarships for women in tech, and scholarships for students of color.

General Information Technology Scholarships

Several general scholarships are available for information technology students, geared toward all students and do not have restrictions on race or gender.

AFCEA STEM Majors Scholarship: Offered by AFCEA, an international organization, this scholarship provides $2,500 to undergraduates meeting certain eligibility requirements.
Foundation for Information Technology Education (FITE): FITE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting IT research, education, and those interested in becoming IT professionals. The foundation offers several scholarships of varying amounts to full-time university students pursuing an information technology degree.
Edison Scholars Program: This scholarship of $50,000 is offered to 30 high school seniors who wish to enter careers in the STEM fields, including computer and information systems. It is intended for those living in the service territory of Southern California Edison.
Generation Google Scholarship: Offered by Google, this scholarship is for computer science or computer engineering students. The amount is $10,000 for full-time students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
ISC2 Undergraduate Scholarship: Administered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, this scholarship awards up to 20 recipients with scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, information assurance, or a similar field.
SBB Research Group (SBBRG) Foundation STEM Scholarship: SBBRG offers three scholarships per quarter of $2,500 each to applicants enrolled in a full-time program and pursuing a STEM field. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Rural Tech Fund Cyber Security Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded yearly to three students from rural communities in the United States. Each award recipient receives $1,000, with the additional opportunity to take up to two courses from the SANS Technology Institute and two corresponding GIAC certification exams.
SMART Scholarship Program: Funded by the Department of Defense, SMART scholars receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, and guaranteed employment with the Department of Defense after graduation.

IT Scholarships for Women in Tech

These scholarships for women in tech were established to encourage their entry into the information technology field.

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Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship: This is a $500 grant for women pursuing careers in technology. It is awarded to one high school or college student.
ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship: ESET offers three $10,000 awards to women pursuing graduate or undergraduate degrees and who want to begin a career in cybersecurity.
ISC2 Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarships: The Center for Cyber Safety and Education awards up to 10 scholarships annually, each between $1,000 and $5,000, for women pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in cybersecurity, information assurance, or a similar field.
Women at Microsoft (WAM) Scholarship: Microsoft’s WAM program awards 26 one-time scholarships of $5,000 each to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must self-identify as a woman, non-binary, gender fluid, or transgender woman and plan to enroll in a full-time technology, engineering, math, or computer science program for the upcoming academic year.
Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Program: This program supports women pursuing degrees in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science at the community college, undergraduate, or graduate level. Scholarship award amounts vary.

IT Scholarships for Students of Color

These scholarships are focused on providing opportunities to students of color in information technology and related fields.

BETF Corporate Scholarship Program: Offered by the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), this scholarship is for diverse applicants enrolled in a STEM-related major with an emphasis on information technology.
Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarship: BAM awards 55 scholarships totaling $150,000. Applicants are required to be high school seniors of African descent.
GMiS STEM Scholarship: This scholarship is for people of Hispanic descent and/or who demonstrate significant leadership or service within the underserved community. Applicants must pursue a degree in engineering, math, science, or technology. Awards range from $500 to $5,000.
Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation Computer and Video Game Arts and Sciences Scholarship: This scholarship is for women and underrepresented individuals who are high school seniors or undergraduate students looking to pursue “a degree leading to a career in computer and video game arts and sciences.”
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Scholarships: AISES offers multiple scholarship opportunities to undergraduate students interested in STEM. Awards range from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on the program. Native Americans, Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous Canadians are eligible.

The Growing Demand for IT Professionals

Information technology is an umbrella term for the study of computer systems, software, and networks. This field encompasses many career paths, including cybersecurity, software development, and data analytics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033.

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