The 2025 Lariat STEM Scholar Program is now open for applications. Apply by June 30, 2025 to win up to $30,000.

Sponsored by the Lariat Future Innovators Foundation, a nonprofit organization, the scholarship aims to help rural students in their quest of a STEM degree education.

Rural students face unique challenges and financial barriers that stand in the way of their higher education journey, and it is the mission of the foundation to help them overcome these barriers.

“Many students take a bus for 30 minutes or so to get to high school outside their small towns, and this doesn’t necessarily mean they go to anything that could be called a city,” said founder Jason Wilson. “Resources are more scarce in these small towns. For instance, there is a lack of libraries and museums. Finally, incomes are generally fairly low in these rural areas. All these items pose a barrier to entry for students wishing to pursue careers requiring higher education.”

Each year, the organization awards up to four scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 each. 

High school seniors stand to win up to $30,000, payable over four years. Rising college juniors can win up to $18,000, payable over two years. And rising college seniors can win $10,000.

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must live in a rural area (a town or city with a population less than 25,000) in the United States. Check this list for eligible zip codes. 

Applicants also must come from families with less than $55,000 in household income, be between the ages of 18 and 24, and be pursuing a STEM major. Check here for a full list of eligible STEM majors. 

To apply, eligible students must identify their major, submit academic scores and SAT/ACT scores, and list any academic awards they have received. They must also write an essay of 500 words or more on why they have chosen to pursue a degree in STEM or the lessons they have learned from their part-time jobs, as well as answer three other questions. 

Students who meet the criteria can apply here.