What Is the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is a federal program that provides eligible veterans and service members with up to nine additional months of education benefits specifically for pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees. Named after the Massachusetts congresswoman who championed veterans' education benefits, this program supplements your Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement rather than replacing it.
Veterans can receive an additional nine months of full-time benefits or 18 months of part-time benefits beyond their standard 36-month Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement. For 2024, this translates to roughly $2,109 per month in housing allowance plus tuition coverage at approved institutions. The program is administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and requires enrollment verification from your school each semester.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, you must meet these specific criteria:
- Have remaining Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (you cannot use this scholarship if your 36-month entitlement is exhausted)
- Be enrolled full-time or part-time in an approved STEM undergraduate or graduate program
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your institution
- Be pursuing a degree in an eligible STEM field (check VA.gov for the current approved list, which includes computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, and related disciplines)
- Have separated from active duty service
Connection to VA Disability Claims and Benefits
While the Edith Nourse Rogers scholarship is an education benefit rather than a disability compensation program, it often applies to the same veteran population. If you are service-connected for a disability and receiving VA disability compensation, you can still pursue this scholarship. Some veterans use education benefits as a pathway to employment when service-connected disabilities limit their job options. The 45-day deadline to apply after GI Bill exhaustion applies whether you are rated by VA or not.
Your VA disability rating does not affect your STEM scholarship eligibility, but it can affect your overall financial planning when combining disability payments with education benefits.
How to Apply
- Complete VA Form 22-1995 (Application to Change Your Existing GI Bill Educational Program) through VA.gov or your school's Veterans Services office
- Submit proof of STEM degree enrollment and your degree plan
- Include certification from your registrar that your program qualifies as STEM
- Process typically takes 30 days after the VA receives a complete application
- You must apply before your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits expire
Common Questions
- Can I use both my disability compensation and this scholarship simultaneously? Yes. Your monthly VA disability payment is separate from education benefits. You can receive both without offset, though your school may require you to count the scholarship as "other aid" when calculating your financial aid package.
- What happens if I change majors out of STEM during my scholarship period? You will lose the additional nine months of benefits and revert to your standard Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Notify your VA regional office immediately if you change programs to avoid overpayment recovery.
- Does this scholarship cover graduate school? Yes, eligible graduate STEM degrees qualify. However, you cannot use it for online-only programs unless the institution is VA-approved for distance education.