Students are always trying to score extra scholarship dollars to help fund the gap that is not covered by their initial financial aid packages. At CheapScholar.org, we provide a good number of tips and resources to help students with this search. Today though, we are highlighting a scholarship program that is geared for engineering students.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is funding up to $100,000 in scholarships this year to students that are interested in mechanical engineering, HVAC engineering, or engineering technology. The funds are available to undergraduate and graduate students as well as high school seniors. Application deadlines are the first of May and December.

Scholarships will be awarded based upon the following criteria:

• Full-time enrollment in an accredited undergraduate engineering or engineering technology program recognized by ASHRAE
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a scale where 4.0 is the highest and/or a class ranking of no less than 30% evidenced by submission of an official transcript of grades and/or statement from a school administrator
• Three letters of recommendation, including an instructor or faculty advisor, a current or past employer, and any other character reference. In the case of institutions with an ASHRAE student branch, include a letter from the faculty advisor of that branch (may be one of the three letters of recommendation).
• Evaluation form completed by the Student Activities Chair of an ASHRAE chapter, if one is within reasonable driving distance of home or school, following an interview with the applicant
• Potential service to the HVAC and/or refrigeration profession
• Financial need
• Leadership ability (activities, leadership roles, community service, etc.)
• Work ethics (summer jobs, part-time jobs, etc.)

If you are interested in this scholarship opportunity, you can download an application packet here. You can also visit the scholarship website at anytime for answers to commonly asked questions.

Direct Questions (and scholarship applications) can be submitted to:

Lois Benedict
Scholarship Administrator
ASHRAE, Inc.
1791 Tullie Circle, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: 404-636-8400
Fax: 404-321-5478
lbenedict@ashrae.org