Navigating the Amtrak Academic Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

Amtrak, the National Passenger Corporation, is committed to supporting the future of the railroad industry by investing in students who demonstrate a passion for rail and a drive to innovate. Through the Amtrak Scholarship Program, the company provides academic scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students who have an active interest in the railroad industry. This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of the Amtrak Scholarship Program, its various scholarship categories, eligibility requirements, and additional scholarship opportunities available through affiliate organizations.

Amtrak's Commitment to Education

Amtrak recognizes that students are the future of the railroad industry. By offering scholarships, Amtrak aims to encourage progressive ideas and support academic achievement within railroad programs. This investment in students reflects Amtrak's commitment to advancing interstate rail services and fueling a dynamic future for the industry.

Overview of the Amtrak Scholarship Program

The Amtrak Scholarship Program offers multiple scholarship opportunities to high school, college, and graduate students. The total value of the program is $41,000. The scholarship money can be used for tuition, fees, books, and equipment required for classes to attain a college degree. Candidates are encouraged to submit to more than one scholarship that is available if criteria is met.

Scholarship Categories

Awards are available within eight scholarship categories. 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. The Amtrak Scholarship Program includes the following scholarships:

Amtrak Asian Pacific American Islander Scholarship: Available to high school seniors who are of Asian Pacific American Islander heritage.
Amtrak African American Scholarship: Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are of African American heritage.
Amtrak Hispanic/Latinx Scholarship: Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are of Hispanic or Latinx heritage.
A. Philip Randolph Scholarship: Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are dependents (children or spouses/civil union partner/domestic partner) of Amtrak employees, retirees, or furloughed employees. Applicants must provide the name and SAP# of the A.
Amtrak Non-Technical Degree Scholarship: Available to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Business, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain or similar majors.
Amtrak Women in STEM Scholarship: Available to female undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in a STEM field.
Amtrak IT Scholarship: Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in computer science or information technology.
Amtrak Engineering Scholarship: Available to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in engineering. Engineering students enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate program nationwide are eligible for this award.

Eligibility Requirements

There are several criteria students must meet to qualify for the scholarship awards:

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.

Crafting a Compelling Essay

The scholarship application requires the submission of an essay of 500 words or less. Recent Amtrak scholarship winner, Elizabeth Samayoa accredits her scholarship win with helping her later secure an Amtrak job, and encourages scholarship applicants to be creative when writing their scholarship essays. What helped one recipient become a recipient was being true and honest to their story, and choosing to write about the system safety program, knowing that safety is one of Amtrak’s highest priorities.

Affiliate Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to the direct Amtrak Scholarship Program, there are several affiliate scholarships available through organizations affiliated with SMART Transportation Division (SMART TD). These scholarships have varying rules and eligibility criteria, so it is important to review the specific requirements for each scholarship. All questions concerning scholarships, eligibility, requirements, or other related concerns should be directed to the respective scholarship program.

SMART Transportation Division Auxiliary Scholarships

The Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union Scholarship is available to members of the SMART TD Auxiliary who are in good standing, their children, step-children, grandchildren or step-grandchildren aged 25 or younger. The scholarship is $1,000 renewable for up to 4 years (Minimum of 8, number available varies). The application period is January 1 - March 31.

Union Plus Scholarship Program

The Union Plus Scholarship Program is available for current and retired members of participating unions, their spouses and their dependent children. To be eligible, applicant, applicant’s spouse or parent must have at least one year of continuous union membership. The one-year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31 of the scholarship year. The scholarship amount ranges from $500 - $4,000. The application period is Mid-June through Jan. 31 of the scholarship year.

UTUIA College Scholarships

UTUIA college scholarships are awarded to UTUIA insurance policyholders, their children or grandchildren, under the age of 25 and accepted for admittance or already enrolled to a university, college or junior college, nursing or technical school offering college credit. The scholarship is $2,000 renewable for up to 4 years (50 available). The application period is January 16 - March 31.

UTUIA Memorial Scholarship

The UTUIA Memorial Scholarship program is available to children between the ages of 18 and 25 of a UTUIA member killed in the line of duty while performing the duties of their trade. $4,000 renewable for up to 4 years for college students or for up to 2 years for trade school or vocational school recipients. The application period is January 16 - March 31.

UTUIA Trade School Scholarship

UTUIA trade school scholarships are awarded to UTUIA insurance policyholders, their children or grandchildren, under the age of 25 and accepted for admittance or already enrolled in course work at an accredited trade school. The scholarship is $2,000 renewable for up to 2 years (50 available). The application period is January 16 - March 31.

Tom D. Eilers Scholarship

The Tom D. Eilers Memorial Scholarship is awarded to the child or grandchild of a member or deceased member of UTUIA or its predecessor organizations - the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, Switchmen’s Union of North America, and the Order of Railroad Conductors and Brakemen. The scholarship is $2,000 (2 available). The application period is January 16 - March 31.

Al H. and James Chesser Scholarship

Named after former UTU President Al H. Chesser and his father, the award is given to law students at Southern Illinois University who are or have a parent, guardian, grandparent, aunt or uncle who is a member of the UTU or successor labor organization. The amount varies. The application deadline is February 1.

Industry Scholarships

Members may be eligible for some or all of the scholarships below. These scholarships are not offered by SMART TD or any of its affiliates.

Read also: Getting to Amtrak from UCLA

ABA Foundation Scholarships

The American Bus Association Foundation (ABA) offers scholarships to full-time employees and their children, whose employer is a member of the ABA. Employees of Coach USA, among others, are eligible. The scholarship amount ranges from $2,500 - $5,000 (depending on scholarship applied for, up to 21 available). The application period is January - April.

Frank J. Richter Scholarship

Sponsored by the American Association of Railroad Superintendents.

Tealinc Scholarship

Annual Scholarship Program. Tealinc provides two - $1,000 scholarships - one to a high school senior and the other to an enrolled undergraduate college or trade-school student who are the children or dependents of a person working in the rail industry. $1,000 (2 available). The application period is March 31 - May 1.

Additional Scholarship Databases

Members and their children or grandchildren may be eligible for some or all of the scholarships located in the databases listed below. These scholarships are not offered by SMART TD or any of its affiliates. Some popular scholarship databases include:

Cappex
Fastweb
Scholarship America
Study.com

Create a 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!

Other Scholarship Programs

There is also a scholarship program that provides financial assistance to daughters of railroad employees who died. Eligibility is dependent upon the daughter and parent remaining unmarried. The monthly grant, under continued eligibility, may cover the period from infancy to age 18. If attending college, assistance may extend to age 24 to assist with higher education. The Foundation also provides special health care benefits to the daughter. Funding for the work of the foundation is completely independent of any railroad. Applications are accepted year-round.

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