Amtrak, the only long-distance intercity passenger railroad in the United States, is offering eleven scholarship opportunities to high school, college, and graduate students.
As the U.S. government focuses on advancing interstate rail services (passenger and freight), Amtrak parallels this sentiment by investing in students who are interested in the railroad industry. According to
Amtrak, the Amtrak Scholarship Program was created to support students and encourage academic achievement within railroad programs. Totaling $41,000, the program will ultimately
fuel a dynamic future for the railroad industry.
Winners’
scholarship money can be used for tuition, fees, books, and equipment required for classes to attain a college degree. Students are encouraged to submit more than one scholarship application if they fit the scholarship criteria. Awards are available within eight scholarship categories.
Amtrak Scholarships for High School Students
High school students only qualify for the Hispanic/Latinx heritage, Black or African American heritage, Asian Pacific American Islander and Allies Scholarship, and A. Phillip Randolph scholarships.
Available to: High School Seniors
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $5,000
The Amtrak Asian Pacific American Islander Scholarship is available to high school seniors who are of Asian Pacific American Islander heritage.
Available to: High School Seniors
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $5,000
The Amtrak African American Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are of African American heritage.
Available to: High School Seniors
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $5,000
The Amtrak Hispanic/Latinx Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are of Hispanic or Latinx heritage.
Available to: High School Seniors through College Graduate Students, Year 5
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $5,000
The A. Philip Randolph Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are dependents (children or spouses/civil union partner/domestic partner) of Amtrak employees, retirees, or furloughed employees.
High school students must submit their official high school transcripts as well as their college acceptance letter to be fully considered
Amtrak Scholarships for College Students and Grad Students
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $3,000
The Amtrak Non-Technical Degree Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Business, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain or similar major.
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $3,000
The Amtrak Women in STEM Scholarship is available to female undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in a STEM field.
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $3,000
The Amtrak IT Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in computer science or information technology.
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Deadline: 1/31/24
Award Amount: $3,000
The Amtrak Engineering Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in engineering.
Amtrak Scholarship Criteria
There are several criteria students must meet to qualify for the scholarship awards. Student applicants must:
• Be pursuing an undergraduate degree or graduate degree as a full-time student.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 at time of award as proven by an official transcript.
• Fill out an electronic application with contact/personal information.
• Submit a resume.
• Include a 500-word essay. Each scholarship has unique scholarship essay prompts such as:
Importance of Sustainable Development in Rail
Importance of Urban Transportation and Amtrak’s Role
The Impact of Technology on Public Transportation and Diversity in the Railroad
Recent Amtrak scholarship winner, Elizabeth Samayoa accredits her scholarship win with helping her later secure an Amtrak job. Samayoa encourages scholarship applicants to
be creative when writing their scholarship essays. She recommends “...leverage[ing] the resources around you to create a great response.”
The National Passenger Corporation, also known as Amtrak, is America’s high-quality, safe, on-time rail passenger service that exceeds customer expectations. For 50 years, Amtrak has connected businesses and communities across the country; and as Amtrak celebrates its 50th anniversary, it looks to the next 50 years and beyond to move America’s workforce toward the future.
More Scholarship Opportunities
Create your free Fastweb profile to find scholarships you should consider applying for. Customize your profile with details such as your GPA, class year and activities to get even more customized scholarship matches!
Check out these scholarship lists in the meantime:
24 Scholarships to Apply for in 2024
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