STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program

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More Than a Scholarship

There is clear and compelling evidence that a more diverse and representative workforce brings new perspectives and ideas and supports innovation, inclusion, and impact. The primary goal of the STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program is to increase representation and inclusion of individuals from social, cultural, and economic backgrounds who have historically been underrepresented in the actuarial profession.

Through this unique program, we empower and equip students with tools that will make them stand out as industry professionals, and connections they can rely on in their future careers.

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Enter STEM Stars

STEM Stars is a new scholarship program from The Actuarial Foundation and Founding Partner the Society of Actuaries (SOA).

The STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program identifies, recruits and supports high school students who are skilled in math and interested in the actuarial field. 

We provide support that begins in high school, extends into college and continues through an actuarial career.

The STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program offers high school seniors a $20,000 scholarship ($5,000 annually for four years).

Our Stars receive mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to internships, job shadowing, and other experiences that will prepare them for an actuarial career. 

Thank You to Our STEM Stars Corporate Supporters

Our supporters share our commitment in increasing representation and inclusion in the actuarial profession.

Are You Interested in Becoming An Actuary?

If you think a career as an actuary may be for you, then consider applying for the STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program. You'll get $5,000 of financial support per year throughout college, a summer orientation, access to mentors and other opportunities to build your job experience.

Meet the 2025–26 STEM Stars Scholars

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Allison Schlemmer

Santa Clara University

"I am super grateful that I get to be a part of the STEM Stars program, and I'm very excited that I get to learn and be a part of this fantastic community."

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Benjamin Whatley

University of South Alabama

"The STEM Stars program will give me many opportunities to advance my goals in becoming an actuary, and I'm especially excited for their mentor program and study materials they give me for exams."

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Carter Schmidlin

University of Connecticut

"The scholarship will provide me necessary financial assistance, valuable mentorship, and expertise that I can bring with me into my future career."

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Celeste Montanez

University of Tampa

"I'm so incredibly grateful to get the scholarship and I am most excited about the opportunities and networking, guidance from mentors and help choosing which actuarial field I will be best in. This scholarship will help me with my private school tuition. It will help me focus more on my learning opportunities and take away more financial stress off my shoulders."

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Elian Adolph

University of Texas – Austin

"I'm excited about being a part of the STEM Stars program to make connections with people, like over something that not a lot of people know, something very niche like being an actuary."

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Elizaveta Khudorozhkova

University of Texas – Austin

"I'm really excited to learn from my mentor and see how I can combine my interest in math and computer science in a meaningful way. The guidance that we'll receive from the STEM stars gives me the confidence to keep pushing forward a future where I can use math and data to solve real world problems."

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Jendayi Gyamerah-Oliver

Xavier University

"Winning the STEM Star Scholarship means so much to me because it represents who I am and who I'm becoming. It's a reminder that my dedication, my curiosity, and the effort that I've put in thus far are worth something, that I'm not doing this alone. It opened a door for me to be a part of a powerful community of future leaders in STEM, and that is something that I've always dreamt of."

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Joshua Carroll

St. John’s University

"What does this scholarship mean to me? It’s really motivating, it pushes me to keep going. One of the things I was most excited about was having mentors support me along the way. That’s something I really appreciate. It’s unique to have people who genuinely want to help you succeed."

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Justin Mathew

University of Texas – Austin

"I am most excited about this scholarship for the networking opportunities and increased opportunities to get an internship."

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Kassandra Nestle

Chapman University

"The part of the program I am most excited about is the invaluable mentoring I'll receive throughout my next four years of college. I am also looking forward to the support and preparing for exams, learning more about the actuarial science career, and most of all, connecting with other actuaries and students who share my passion."

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Madalyn Wik

Villanova University

"I feel appreciated and rewarded for my hard work and my profound interest in the actuarial career. I want to thank everyone who has made this opportunity possible for me, and I'm very excited to join the team and to connect with real actuaries."

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Marina Walczak

University of Wisconsin-Madison

"I'm so excited to be a part of the STEM Stars program where I'll receive the best mentoring and assistance in my journey to become an actuary. I have faith that this program will be an asset to me in my journey as an actuary in the health insurance industry."

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Noemi Nkojo

Virginia Tech

"I was so grateful to have the opportunity to learn about the field of actuarial science for my father, who's currently an actuary. And it just means so much to me that there are so many resources I have available to me, like mentors and resources that will help me with taking the exams later in my career."

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Olivia Bley

Yale University

"Winning this scholarship represents a belief in my past, present, and future. I am most looking forward to the mentorship and guidance throughout college and beyond. Thank you for welcoming me into the actuarial field."

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Patrick Reagon

Ohio State University

"I’m excited to be able to connect with like-minded peers, people who also want to be an actuary, and people I might work with. And also, being able to connect and learn from a mentor who's traveled down a path that I wish to take."

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Shaliyah Rose

Washington and Lee University

"I am so excited to embark on this new journey of getting an education, learning more about myself, my community, and the world. I'm looking forward to changing my community, the world, myself, and hopefully learn more about actual science."

The application for the 2025 scholarship season is now open!

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Students

The applications for the 2025 season are currently closed and will reopen in the fall.

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Educators

Spread the word about the STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program opportunity.

 

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Actuaries | Volunteers

Make a commitment to mentoring and guiding Stars through the first four years of college, exams and into actuarial careers. Sign up to be a mentor.

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Partners | Donors

If you or your company/organization is interested in partnering with The Actuarial Foundation to increase representation and inclusion in the actuarial profession, contact us today.

 

If You Like Math and Business

... then you will love being an actuary! Hear firsthand from professionals about what it means to be an actuary and what they love about their jobs. As a STEM Stars Scholar, you'll receive mentoring and support from actuaries in the industry.

STEM Stars FAQs

Thank You to Our 2025 STEM Stars Corporate Advisory Council Companies

Founding Partner

2025 Corporate Advisory Council

The STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program welcomes your generosity to support talented students as they work toward their goal of becoming actuaries.