Orchard Opens Applications for 2023 Women of Color in STEM Scholarships

High school seniors and undergraduates are invited to apply for up to $2,500 in financial aid.

NEW YORK, September 21, 2022 – Orchard, the company transforming the way that people buy and sell homes, today announced the application period is open for its second annual Scholarship for Women of Color in STEM. Orchard will award three scholarships of up to $2,500 to high school seniors and undergraduate students of color looking to enter the STEM field.

According to the National Science Board, women make up 28 percent of workers in STEM-related occupations. Of this percentage, women of color comprise only five percent of the science and engineering workforce. One of the largest barriers is the cost of higher education, and the large loans required for many women of color to pursue STEM careers. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that women of color are likely to carry the most student debt, causing lifelong disadvantages such as increased difficulty becoming homeowners due to lower credit scores and loan repayment costs.

“There is a massive discrepancy in the number of female scientists and engineers, which limits the amount of creativity and innovation that can happen in these fields. It’s essential that we create opportunities for people with varying perspectives and experiences across STEM. These scholarships will enable more women of color to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and contribute to closing the gender gap in tech,” says Toni Ma, Orchard Director of Engineering.

In May 2022, Orchard announced that a first-generation high school senior had received an inaugural scholarship of $2,500 to subsidize educational costs of a neuroscience degree from Barnard College. This year, Orchard will be tripling the number of recipients, awarding $500, $1,000 and $2,500 to three deserving students. The scholarship is open to female-identifying high school seniors that identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color, with plans to pursue a STEM degree in college, as well as undergraduate sophomores and juniors who are currently enrolled in a STEM degree program. To apply, applicants must submit two short essays (300-500 words) addressing what inspired their interest in the STEM field, and articulating how the Orchard scholarship will help in their career goals.

Scholarship applications will close on April 1, 2023. Eligibility requirements and additional details can be found at https://orchard.com/blog/posts/scholarship-for-women-of-color-in-stem.

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About Orchard

In a world where buying anything has become as simple as “point, click, purchase”, Orchard is bringing that same ease to life’s biggest financial decision — buying a home. We combine brokerage, mortgage, title, and technology to make the obstacles that lie between our customers and the home of their dreams disappear. Orchard customers win their next home, skip the traditional home sale hassles, and ultimately get to enjoy the experience. Orchard is headquartered in New York City and offers its services in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Oregon, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington. It’s the new way to home. Learn more at https://orchard.com/