SAME Blue Ridge Post - 2026 Scholarship Online Application

2026 STEM Scholarship Application

Deadline:
30 April 2026 | 9:00 PM ET
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) is a professional Society which maintains the highest standards of professionalism, fosters the exchange of ideas, and encourages collaboration within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. As its Charter acclaims, the Society is "Dedicated to National Defense." The SAME Blue Ridge Post (BRP) is made up of more than 200 individual members and more than 30 corporate members.

The BRP is excited to announce we are again offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students (meeting the requirements listed below) enrolling or enrolled in a university or college-approved Engineering, Architecture, or other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degree program. Our goal is to encourage students to enter full-time undergraduate architectural, engineering or constructon-related studies and for interested students to become a member of SAME and the Blue Ridge Post.

www.same.org/blueridge

Scholarship or Application Questions

Adam Hanks, SAME Blue Ridge Post Scholarship Chair
adam.hanks@aecom.com
SAME Blue Ridge Post
Please review the application criteria and requirements
before starting your online application.

You can "save and continue later" at any time. Please be sure to submit your completed application by the 30 April 2026 deadline.
- The Blue Ridge Post will award scholarships ranging in monetary value up to $4,000 each by 30 June 2026. All applications must be submitted through this online application form for consideration.
  
  Application Criteria
  
  Completed applications must be received by 9:00 pm ET on 30 April 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  1. Applications must include the following attachments:
    
    A letter of recommendation from a SAME Sponsor, teacher, guidance counselor, coach, or civic organization leader. Letters of recommendation may not be from a family member.
    
    An endorsement letter from the applicant's school counselor, academic advisor, or administrator which verifies their enrollment at an eligible institution (see items 2 and 3, below). Endorsements may not be from a family member.
  2. Applicants must be enrolled in a school and have at least one-year of full-time academic instructions remaining in their enrolled school. For this application, "school" includes:
    
    High Schools (enrolled in a trade school, college, or university for the next semester)
    
    Two-year colleges or universities
    
    Four-year colleges or universities (through undergraduate level), or
    
    Trade schools
  3. Students must be enrolled or have applied and are waiting acceptance in either:
    
    a two-year, full-time associate Engineering, Architecture, or other STEM-related studies program at a community college or preparatory school, trade school or,
    
    a four-year, full-time undergraduate Engineering, Architecture, or other STEM-related studies degree program in the fall term of 2026. Preference will be given to attendance at an ABET/NAAB (Accredidaton Board for Engineering & Technology / National Architectural Accreditation Board) or equivalent accredited college or university.
  4. Students must plan to continue their education in Engineering, Architecture, or other STEM discipline beyond the 2026/2027 school year, or to graduate with a degre in Engineering, Architecture, or other STEM discipline.
  5. Applicants must attend a school or reside within 75 miles of Winchester, VA. If a resident of Winchester, VA, you may attend a school outside of this range.
  6. Applicants must join SAME as a Student member; membership is free to all full-time students age 25 and younger. Your SAME student membership must be active by 31 March 2025 for consideration. All applicants can join SAME here: https://www.same.org/membership-communities/join/student-membership/ Applicants are required to join the Blue Ridge Post as their SAME Post, and applicants who are not members will not be considered.
  7. Appliants must be U.S. Citizens.
  8. Applicants must be of good character and positively contribute to their community.
- Please note the following:
  1. For the purposes of this scholarship, STEM degrees are those indicated on the list here: STEM Degrees
  2. Applications will be ranked based on the following criteria:
    
    Their responses to six (6) essay questions
    
    Their GPA, SAT, and/or ACT Scores relative to other appliants
    
    The content of their letter of recommendation.
    
    The applicability of their STEM degree to furthering the SAME Mission.
  3. The BRP will notify each student, awardees and/or school of the scholarship recipients, no later than 30 June 2026. We will also notify non-selected applicants.
  4. Financial awards are remitted directly to student's college account without exception. Teh funds will be made available to the recipients once each college or university receives them for the Fall Semester 2026. Awards will be made on or about August 1, 2026. Formal recognition will take place at the BRP "2026 Scholarship Awards Luncheon" in Winchester, VA on Wednesday, August 12.
  5. Decisions relating to Award are by the BRP only and are final.
  6. Applicants who receive an appointment to one of the U.S. Military Academies (or affiliated preparatory schools) or are awarded a full scholarship at any ABET/NAAB accredited U.S. post-secondary instituion of higher educatin are not eligible to receive this scholarship. A full scholarship is defined as one that provides for payment of tuition, books, lab fees, and other related expenses. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships are considered full scholarships.
  7. Awarded scholarships cannot be deferred for future years and must be applied to 2026/2027 academic year.
  The BRP prides itself on being able to fund multiple scholarships for the upcoming 2026/2027 school year. We look forward to receiving your responses.
- To expedite your application, please prepare the following for submission:
  
  Transcript (PDF)Letter of Recommendation (PDF)Letter of Endorsement (PDF)Essay Responses (6 narratives)Student Membership in the SAME Blue Ridge Post (member ID required; must be current and active by 31 March 2026)Current photograph / headshot (jpg)
- Please respond to the following Essay Questions (max 500 words each):
  
  1. What are your future goals and how will a degree in STEM, Architecture, Engineering or Construction field help you achieve that goal.
  
  2. What engineering or architecture discipline are you planning to study? What traits make you a good candidate for this scholarship?
  
  3. Why are you applying for this scholarship? From a financial standpoint, what impact would this scholarship have on your education?
  
  4. Descripe your role in any clubs, charities, organizations, teams, etc. that you are involved in within your school or communty.
  
  5. As an engineer or architect, what would you do to improve your community in relation to the field you intend to study?
  
  6. Please describe a challenge or hardship you had to overcome in order to successfully get to where you are today.

2026 STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
ONLINE APPLICATION
(Page 2 of 4)
Applicant Name*

Prefix (Mr., Ms., etc.)First NameLast NameSuffix (Jr., III, etc.)
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Today's Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Age
Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
This address is my*

permanent residenceschool residence
Applicant Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Applicant Email Address*
example@example.com
Name of High School*
High School Graduation Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
High School GPA*
ie. 3.5/4.0
ACT Score
SAT Score
Academic Counselor*

PrefixFirst NameLast NameSuffix
Academic Counselor Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Academic Counselor Email*
example@example.com
Preparatory School, College or University attending in Fall 2026*
This is the Academic Institution where the award will sent.
Engineering, Architecture, or STEM-related degree studies program*
Anticipated Trade School/College Graduation Date*
MM / YYYY
Transcript*

(PDF)
Cancelof
Letter of Recommendation*

(PDF)
Cancelof
Letter of Endorsement*

(PDF)
Cancelof

2026 STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
ONLINE APPLICATION
(Page 3 of 4)
Essay Questions
1. What are your future goals and how will a degree in a STEM, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction field help you achieve that goal? (max 500 words)*

0/500
2. What engineering or architecture discipline are you planning to study? What traits make your a good candidate for this scholarship? (max 500 words)*

0/500
3. Why are you applying for this scholarship? From a financial standpoint, what impact would this scholarship have on your education? (max 500 words)*

0/500
4. Describe your role in any clubs, charities, organizations, teams, etc. that you are involved in within your school or community. (max 500 words)*

0/500
5. As an engineer or architect, what would you do to improve your community in relation to the field you intend to study? (max 500 words)*

0/500
6. Please describe a challenge or hardship you had to overcome in order to successfully get to where you are today. (max 500 words)*

0/500

2026 STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
ONLINE APPLICATION
(Page 4 of 4)
You did it! This is the final page of the application.
Have you applied, intend to apply, and/or received a scholarship from a sister SAME Post for the 2026/2027 academic year?*

YesNo
Please list the other Post(s):*
Have you received an academic scholarship previously from an SAME Post?*

YesNo
Please list the previous Post(s) and recipient year(s):*
SAME Student Membership*

I confirm that as of 31 March 2026 I am a current SAME Student Member of the Blue Ridge Post.
SAME Student Membership Number*
To find your SAME Membership number, login at www.same.org in the upper red navigation. The go to "My Account" in the updated upper red navigation. Your member number will be listed in your Profile. Please make sure you also add the SAME Blue Ridge Post as your Post to be considered for the Blue Ridge Post scholarship. Membership is FREE for full-time students aged 25 years old and younger.
Current Photograph / Headshot*

(jpg)
Cancelof
Applicant Certification and Signature

I certify that all information provided in this application and all attached materials are true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I confirm that I meet the eligibility requirements for the SAME Blue Ridge Post Scholarship as stated in the application criteria, including citizenship, enrollment status, academic program, geographic eligibility, and SAME student membership requirements.

I affirm that all essays and submitted work are my own unless otherwise credited, and that letters of recommendation and endorsements have been submitted in accordance with the application guidelines. I understand that providing false, misleading, or incomplete information, or failing to meet eligibility requirements, may result in disqualification from consideration or revocation of any scholarship awarded.

I authorize the SAME Blue Ridge Post to verify the information provided, including academic records, enrollment status, citizenship, SAME membership status, and other eligibility factors. I understand that scholarship funds will be paid directly to my educational institution for the 2026–2027 academic year and cannot be deferred, and that decisions of the Blue Ridge Post are final.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the application criteria and statements above. I understand that my electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.
Promotional Consent*

If I am awarded a scholarship, I grant permission for my name, photograph, and scholarship status to be used for announcements and promotional purposes related to the 2026 SAME Blue Ridge Post Scholarship Program.
Signature of Applicant*

Powered by Jotform SignClear
Today's Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Parent / Guardian Consent (Required if Applicant is under 18 Years of Age)

I certify that I am the parent or legal guardian of the applicant. I have reviewed this application and give permission for the student to apply for the SAME Blue Ridge Post Scholarship. I understand and agree to the terms and conditions described above.
Parent / Guardian Name*

PrefixFirst NameLast NameSuffix
Parent / Guardian Email Address*
example@example.com
Today's Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Signature of Parent / Guardian*

Powered by Jotform SignClear
Should be Empty: