Additional Funding, Eligibility & STEM Programs
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship: Up to $30,000 Beyond the GI Bill
The Rogers STEM Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in additional GI Bill funding — covering up to nine extra months of tuition and housing — for Veterans pursuing undergraduate STEM degrees or STEM teaching certifications. It kicks in after your standard 36-month GI Bill entitlement runs out, covering the gap that longer STEM programs require.
Next step:
Check Your VA Loan Eligibility
Scholarship Overview
- Additional funding: Up to $30,000 covering tuition, fees, and housing for up to 9 months beyond standard GI Bill
- Purpose: Bridges the gap for STEM degrees that require more than 36 months of full-time enrollment
- Separate benefit: Does not reduce your existing GI Bill entitlement — it adds to it
Eligibility
- GI Bill usage: Must have used at least 50% of Post-9/11 GI Bill and be within 6 months of exhausting it
- Enrolled in STEM: Must be actively enrolled in an approved undergraduate STEM degree or STEM teaching certification
- Program length: Your STEM program must require more credit hours than a standard bachelor’s degree
Eligible Fields
- Engineering: All accredited engineering disciplines including civil, mechanical, electrical, and biomedical
- Computer science: Software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, and information technology programs
- Sciences: Biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and health sciences programs
How to Apply
- Application: Submit VA Form 22-10203 through VA.gov — available online with your existing education benefit account
- Documentation: Proof of STEM enrollment, remaining GI Bill entitlement, and program credit hour requirements
- Timing: Apply when you have 6 months or fewer of GI Bill entitlement remaining for best approval chances
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Rogers STEM Scholarship pay?
Does the STEM Scholarship use my GI Bill months?
Can I use this for graduate programs?
The Bottom Line Up Front
The Rogers STEM Scholarship adds up to $30,000 in extra education funding for Veterans whose STEM degrees require more than the standard 36 months of GI Bill coverage. If you’re pursuing engineering, computer science, or another qualifying STEM field and your GI Bill is running low, this scholarship bridges the gap so you can finish without out-of-pocket tuition costs.
The scholarship covers the same benefits as the Post-9/11 GI Bill — tuition, fees, and monthly housing allowance — for up to nine additional months. It’s not automatic; you must apply through VA Form 22-10203 when you’re within six months of exhausting your standard entitlement.
What the Rogers STEM Scholarship Covers
The scholarship provides the same payment structure as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, extended for up to nine additional months or $30,000 total — whichever limit is reached first.
Benefit Details
- Tuition and fees: Paid directly to your school at the same rate as your Post-9/11 GI Bill coverage level
- Monthly Housing Allowance: Continues at the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for your school’s ZIP code during the extension period
- Book stipend: The $1,000 annual stipend continues proportionally during the additional months of coverage
- Maximum benefit: $30,000 total or 9 months — whichever is reached first determines when the scholarship ends
Eligibility Requirements
Not every GI Bill recipient qualifies. The scholarship targets a specific situation: STEM students who need more time than the standard 36 months provide.
- Post-9/11 GI Bill recipient: You must be using Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) or Fry Scholarship benefits.
- 50%+ used: You must have already used at least half of your standard GI Bill entitlement.
- Within 6 months of exhaustion: You must be within six months of running out of your remaining benefits.
- Enrolled in qualifying STEM program: Your undergraduate degree or teaching certification must be on the VA’s approved STEM program list.
- Credit hour requirement: Your program must require more standard credit hours than a typical non-STEM bachelor’s degree at your institution.
Which STEM Programs Qualify
The VA maintains a list of approved STEM programs. The scholarship covers undergraduate degrees in fields that the Department of Education classifies under STEM, as well as teaching certifications in STEM subjects.
| Category | Example Programs |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Civil, mechanical, electrical, biomedical, aerospace, chemical, computer engineering |
| Computer Science | Software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, information systems, AI/ML |
| Biological Sciences | Biology, biochemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, genetics |
| Physical Sciences | Chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, atmospheric science |
| Mathematics | Pure math, applied math, statistics, actuarial science |
| Health Sciences | Nursing (BSN), health informatics, clinical laboratory science |
| STEM Teaching | Teaching certifications in any of the above STEM disciplines |
If you’re unsure whether your program qualifies, check the VA’s STEM designated degree program list on VA.gov or ask your school’s VA certifying official to verify.
How to Apply
- Check your remaining entitlement: Log into VA.gov and confirm you’ve used 50%+ and are within 6 months of exhaustion.
- Verify your program: Confirm your STEM degree is on the VA’s approved list and requires more credit hours than standard.
- Submit VA Form 22-10203: Apply online through VA.gov. Include proof of STEM enrollment and remaining entitlement status.
- Wait for determination: Processing typically takes 30–60 days. If approved, additional benefits begin when your standard entitlement expires.
The Bottom Line
The Rogers STEM Scholarship adds up to $30,000 in GI Bill-level funding for STEM students who need more than 36 months to finish. Apply when you’re within 6 months of exhausting your standard entitlement, and don’t wait — the budget is finite and first-come, first-served.
If your STEM degree requires 4.5–5 years of full-time enrollment, this scholarship is the difference between finishing with VA support and paying out of pocket for your final semesters. Combined with the base GI Bill, it can cover the full cost of even the longest undergraduate STEM programs.
