The Gustav E. and Betsy S. Schrader Scholarship for Engineering

The Gustav E. and Betsy S. Schrader Scholarship for Engineering supports Asheville High/SILSA graduates pursuing rigorous engineering degrees at approved accredited universities. Inspired by the lives of Gus Schrader and Betsy Schrader, the scholarship reflects their shared commitment to excellence, service, and expanding opportunity.

This scholarship awards two students up to $10,000 annually for three years (sophomore through senior year), prioritizing students with financial need and those from underserved backgrounds. By investing in students who have demonstrated strong academic performance and dedication to engineering, the scholarship aims to remove financial barriers and empower the next generation of engineers to make meaningful contributions to their fields and communities.

YOU SHOULD APPLY TO THIS SCHOLARSHIP IF YOU ARE:

A graduate of Asheville High School or SILSA

Pursuing a degree in an approved engineering field

Enrolled full-time at an approved accredited 4-year college or university and progressing toward an Engineering degree

Someone with demonstrated financial need (priority given to underserved populations)

Committed to maintaining academic standards for scholarship renewal

A strong academic performer who has:

  • No course failures

  • Minimum 2.0 GPA in general education courses

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in engineering-related courses

List of approved colleges/universities & Majors

Approved Colleges/Universities: Harvey Mudd College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California-Berkeley, California Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Purdue University- W. Lafayette, Princeton University, University of Texas - Austin, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ohio State University - Columbus, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Minnesota, Penn State University, Michigan State University, Clarkson University, Bucknell University, Clemson University, North Carolina State University, NC A&T University, Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, UNC Asheville.

Approved Majors: Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Material Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering and Industrial Engineering

Apply Now!

Timeline of application and Awarding

March 23 - Application opens
March 23 - April 30 - Students gather supporting materials and apply
May 1 - Application portal closes at 11:59 PM
May 12 - Virtual Interviews with ACSF Scholarship Committee (10 minute interview, 5 minute Q&A)
May 19 - Students notified of awarding
By June 30 - Checks disbursed to receiving institutions.

Honoring a Legacy of Innovation, Service, and Impact

 

Gustav E. Schrader (1923-2023) graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He built a storied engineering and manufacturing career in roles ranging from design team manager on several space satellites to overseeing worldwide manufacturing activities for TRW. Mr. Schrader contributed to several books and authored or co-authored more than 20 technical articles on manufacturing and engineering topics. He was named in eight issued patents and in 1981 he received the Engineer of the Year Award for Northeast Ohio. Mr. Schrader was a philanthropist, active in many organizations including the Orange Kiwanis, American Red Cross, Plymouth Church, and the Kolff Foundation, to name a few.

Betsy S. Schrader (1922-1998) was a successful pioneer in numerous fields over her lifetime. A Cornell University graduate, she had her own Armed Services radio show before taking over all of the food services at Rensselaer (where she met Gus). While being a mom to their three children, Betsy found time to host hundreds of foreign visitors, over three decades, through the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. Her love for language, and recognition of the massive need for translation support, compelled her to found the Cleveland Language Bank. This Non-profit service provides 24/7 translation support, in over 150 languages, to support public safety encounters where language becomes a barrier to safe and productive outcomes. She gave much of her life selflessly in service to others in the schools, churches, and communities she lived life in.

 
 

For questions or more information,
please contact:

Dan Acocella
College & Career Scholarships Coordinator
daniel.acocella@acsgmail.net
973 - 879 - 8313