STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program

More Than a Scholarship

The actuarial profession has a diversity challenge. Research shows dramatic disparities in career attainment for minorities. The Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) estimate that only 2.7% and 1.5%, respectively, of U.S. members are Black. Latinx members only make up 1.9% and 1.8%, and Native American members are only 0.5% of the total CAS membership in the U.S. The STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program was created to help increase diversity in the actuarial profession.

Quick Links

Many scholarship programs have been developed to increase diversity, yet the needle hasn’t moved. A new approach is needed.

Enter

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 believe we can move the needle on diversity in the actuarial profession by providing support that starts in high school, extends into college and continues through a career.

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

Along with financial support, the program includes mentoring, tutoring, immersion experiences and exposure to internships and job shadowing opportunities.

to Our STEM Stars Corporate Supporters

Our supporters share our commitment to increasing diversity in the actuarial profession.

View STEM Stars Corporate Supporters

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.

Congratulations to the First Cohort of STEM Stars Scholars!

20 students were selected from 64 applications (out of 139 total applicants) that made it to the review committee.

Meet the 2022–23 STEM Stars Scholars

Shabbir Akhtar

University of Texas at Austin

"The expert guidance under this program will help me to navigate the difficult obstacles such as the arduous actuarial exams and earning my degree in actuarial science. I feel very fortunate to have been selected."

Mikayla Allen

Georgia State University

"Winning this scholarship has opened the door to so many opportunities and has strengthened my drive to enter into the actuarial profession."

Nana Anti

Howard University

"I'm most excited about the exposure, experience and opportunities I will gain from this amazing program. Thank you."

Isaiah Choy

Penn State University

"This scholarship and all that it provides will benefit me for a lifetime."

Jenna Coubati

College of New Jersey

"Receiving this scholarship means so much to me. It will help me achieve a bright future."

KingDavid Chukwudi Ezenwanne

Univeristy of Illinois - Chicago

"Winning this scholarship means a lot to me and my family. It gives me great motivation knowing I have the support of the STEM Stars program."

Ameer Haidary

Duke University

"I'm very excited to meet different STEM Stars from all over the country and find out about their experiences."

Stephanie Hay

University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship and this opportunity - it truly means the world to me."

Jenna Itwaru

University of Buffalo

"I'm eager to explore my love and passion for math and am looking forward to sharing it with others in the program."

Christian Lopez

University of Central Florida

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to put 100% of my effort into studying actuarial science."

Kayla Jackson

Emory University

"Winning this scholarship means so much to me. I can now more confidently follow my dream of becoming an actuary."

Kaitlyn Kirt

Rice University

"I can't wait to meet the other STEM Stars and to become an actuary in the future."

Mia Martinez

University of Southern California

"I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this program and to start my college experience with the financial and career support that STEM Stars provides."

Joaquin Moncayo

Oregon State University

"I'm extremely grateful for this scholarship. I'm looking forward to the mentoring and guidance from a professional to help me advance my education."

Josephine Murray

University of Iowa

"I'm so excited to further my career in actuarial science."

Mwangi Nganga

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

"Thank you to The Actuarial Foundation for this scholarship. You are changing lives."

Jocelyn Roberson

Ball State University

"I'm so thankful for the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the STEM Stars program."

Emily Shteynberg

University of New York

"I'm most excited about connecting with other members of the cohort as well as actuaries in the industry."

Christopher Valdez

University of Pittsburgh

"I'm looking most forward to the community and opportunities for mentorship."

Ava Brown

Stanford University

"I have always been one of the few women in my STEM classes and the only Black student. With your support and 4 years of uninhibited discovery of math applications at Stanford, I know I can blaze a trail others can follow as a Black woman in STEM."

Muhammad Alliyu

Milwaukee School of Engineering

"I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to The Actuarial Foundation and its sponsors. I am going to make you all proud!"

Kennedy Cooper

Hollins University

"I would like to thank everyone that allowed me to get this award. I appreciate you all for even considering me, let alone receiving this award."

Ashleigh Daniels

Bryant University

"Thanks to you I will have financial support each year of college, AND access to professional actuary mentors and internship opportunities. Without your support I wouldn't have earned this once in a lifetime opportunity."

Jaden Ellis

St. John’s University

"This gift is a tremendous boost to my education."

Marissa Hilt

Illinois State University

"Thank you to all the sponsors for your outstanding generosity and recognition of underrepresented groups in the STEM field."

Aliyah Johnson

University of Iowa

"Thank you so much for choosing me to receive this scholarship! It's an absolute honor to be seen as deserving of this opportunity!"

Kelsey Johnson

Morgan State University

"I want to say thank you to the donors and sponsors of this award, because of you I am able to go through college and get my education so I can prosper into the world and y’all are the reason why!"

Essence Julien

University of Albany

"Thank you so much for this opportunity to further my studies in college and diversify the field of Actuarial Sciences. I am extremely grateful for the financial support, as well as the academic support to guide me through a challenging yet exciting major!"

Raef Makrai

University of California

"I have never been more motivated to not only make myself and my family proud but to also make you proud as well."

Naomi Maufort

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. It means the world, and I can't express how grateful I am."

Kimberlie Munda

University of Pittsburgh

"Thank you so much for this opportunity, and I hope to only exceed the expectations set for me!"

Naomi Nwokoma

Temple University

"I am very excited for all the opportunities that follow being in the STEM Stars Program!"

Brendan O’Connell

Florida State University

"I am thrilled to be selected for this amazing opportunity to be part of a program that offers me the opportunity to be introduced and mentored by professionals in this field that I am passionate about."

Cody Reilly

University of California, Berkeley

"I have always strongly invested in both my academics and extracurricular activities, and to me, receiving this scholarship means that other people are investing in me as well."

Emily Roman

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Being an actuary allows you to be skilled in various subjects such as finance and statistics, so I will be able to learn many topics and valuable skills."

Quade Saldana

Florida State University

"I believe now I can say that I look forward to my post-secondary education because I can focus on what matters, and that is getting my degree in actuarial science."

Tyler Shaia

Morgan State University

"I want to thank the sponsors of this award for making this opportunity possible. I am honored that those sponsors would invest in my future. I also want to thank everyone involved in this process."

Benjamin Stone

University of Oklahoma

"I am most excited for this opportunity and for the mentorship and work experience that this program will provide me as I start my journey into my career as an actuary."

Ayanna Williams

The College of William & Mary

"I feel so blessed to be entering a community that truly wants to see me succeed."

Get Involved with STEM Stars

Students

The applications for the 2023 scholarship season are open. Apply today! The application deadline is April 10, 2023.

thisisengineering-raeng-TXxiFuQLBKQ-unsplash

Educators

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

christina-wocintechchat-com-c-mgSuxqpzA-unsplash

Actuaries | Volunteers

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

Partners | Donors

If you or your company/organization is interested in partnering with The Actuarial Foundation to increase diversity 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

What is STEM Stars and what does it offer?

Why should I apply for STEM Stars?

An aspiring actuary can look forward to a well-paying and long-tenured career. In fact, early-career actuaries can earn between $50,000 and $70,000, and compensation generally increases in line with the number of exams passed and years of experience. Although the “traditional” career placement route for actuarial sciences students has been in the insurance industry, there are emerging, high-growth opportunities in data analysis, operations research, predictive analytics and market research.

Who is eligible to appply for STEM Stars?

How can I apply for STEM Stars?

Thank You to Our STEM Stars Corporate Supporters

Founding Partner

2023 Corporate Advisory Council

Become a STEM Stars Sponsor [PDF]

The STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program welcomes your financial support to be able to provide scholarship funds and other resources to students to increase diversity in the actuarial profession.

I'd love to chip in!