The PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship supports California students pursuing undergraduate degrees in high-demand STEM fields. Funded by the PG&E Corporation Foundation, the program awards $350,000 annually to help build a diverse workforce for California’s clean energy future. These scholarships focus on students who demonstrate academic achievement, community leadership, and financial need.
This guide explains the specific requirements and steps to secure the PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship based on the 2026 application cycle. We provide this factual overview to assist students living in PG&E service territories in navigating the application process. Our research uses data from the PG&E Corporation Foundation and Scholarship America to ensure accuracy regarding award tiers, eligibility criteria, and the March 12, 2026, deadline.
Research published by the PG&E Corporation Foundation indicates that supporting STEM education is critical for developing sustainable energy solutions. By providing tiered awards of up to $10,000, the scholarship helps eliminate financial barriers (tuition, textbooks, laboratory fees) for local students. Since 2012, the program has awarded $7.8 million to students pursuing careers in engineering, environmental sciences, and technology.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate (High school seniors, current college students, or veterans)
- Location: California (PG&E Service Territory)
- Institution(s): Accredited 4-year colleges in California or any U.S. HBCU
- Program Period: 2026-2027 Academic Year
- Course offered: STEM disciplines (Engineering, IT, Math, Physics, Environmental Science)
- Deadline: March 12, 2026 (at 3:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM PT)
Scholarship Coverage
The PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship provides a total of $350,000 in funding distributed among 60 recipients. The program uses a tiered award structure to provide support based on the applicant’s demonstrated financial need. Awards are granted in the following amounts:
- Twenty awards of $10,000 for students with the highest demonstrated need.
- Twenty awards of $5,000 for mid-tier financial requirements.
- Twenty awards of $2,500 for additional qualified students.
Scholarship funds are designated for undergraduate study only and cover essential academic costs such as tuition, mandatory fees, and books. While the awards are not automatically renewable, recipients may reapply annually for up to five years if they continue to meet the program’s eligibility standards. Scholarship America manages the distribution of payments, which typically occur in August directly to the student’s chosen institution.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the 2026 PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship, applicants must meet strict residency, enrollment, and academic requirements.
Residency and Affiliation
Applicants must be current PG&E customers or dependents of a customer residing in the company’s service territory in Northern or Central California. You must provide a recent PG&E bill as proof of residency during the application process. The program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are high school seniors, high school graduates, GED recipients, or current college undergraduates.
Enrollment Requirements
You must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study for the entire 2026-2027 academic year. Eligible institutions include any accredited four-year college or university in California or any Historically Black College or University (HBCU) anywhere in the United States. The scholarship is intended for students pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
Academic and Major Requirements
The program is highly competitive and requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must pursue a degree in one of the following STEM disciplines:
- Engineering: Including electrical, mechanical, industrial, or power/energy engineering.
- Computer Science: Including information systems and cybersecurity.
- Natural Sciences: Including environmental, biological, and physical sciences.
- Mathematics: Including statistics and actuarial science.
Application Process
The PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship application is hosted online through Scholarship America.
- Create an Account: Register on the Scholarship America portal using a personal email address (avoid using school-issued emails that may expire).
- Verify Residency: Upload a PDF of a recent PG&E bill that clearly shows the customer name and service address.
- Submit Academic Records: Provide official transcripts and, if applicable, SAT or ACT score reports.
- Describe Leadership and Impact: Detail your participation in extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience.
- Submit Financial Information: Complete the financial need section to be considered for the higher-value $10,000 and $5,000 awards.
Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. No PG&E employee or officer plays a role in the selection to ensure an impartial process.
Deadline
The application deadline is March 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM Central Time (1:00 PM Pacific Time). All required documents, including transcripts and residency proof, must be uploaded before this time. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-May.
