University Scholars Program
Helping Students Build a Future in Transportation
The ITE University Scholars Program supports students pursuing undergraduate education and careers in transportation engineering, planning, and related fields.
The program combines financial assistance with ITE Student Chapter involvement, mentoring, and internship opportunities.
2027 Application Cycle: The application for the 2027 ITE University Scholars Program will open in the fall.
Program at a Glance
The University Scholars Program is designed to help students with both the financial and professional support needed to succeed in college and prepare for a transportation career.
Up to $20,000
Up to $4,000 annually for as many as five years of undergraduate enrollment.
ITE Student Chapter
Scholars engage with an established ITE Student Chapter at their college or university.
Mentoring
Students receive opportunities to connect with transportation professionals.
Internship Opportunities
The program helps scholars build connections and professional experience in transportation.
Who Is the Program For?
The program is open to U.S. high school students and community college students transferring to a four-year university who are interested in a transportation career and plan to study transportation engineering, planning, or a related field.
The college or university must have an established ITE Student Chapter .
Preference is given to first-generation college students and applicants with lower household incomes. Applicants eligible for Pell Grants receive priority, although students who are not Pell Grant eligible may still be considered.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a United States high school or community college student.
- Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Plan to major in transportation engineering, planning, or a related field.
- Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited college or university with an ITE Student Chapter.
- Be in good academic standing with a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Additional preference is given to:
- First-generation college students, defined as students for whom neither parent received a baccalaureate degree.
- Students from lower-income households. Pell Grant eligible applicants receive priority, although Pell eligibility is not required.
Preparing to Apply
Applicants will be asked to provide personal, academic, and financial information as well as supporting documents. Reviewing the checklist below before the application opens can help you prepare.
Information You Will Need
- Your address, email, and phone number
- Parent or guardian contact information and highest level of education attained
- Annual household income
- Current school address
- Accomplishments, if applicable
- Extracurricular activities, if applicable
- Community service activities, if applicable
- The university you will attend, or up to three universities to which you have applied
- Intended university enrollment date and intended major
Documents to Prepare
- Personal statement of 1-2 pages addressing why you are applying for the opportunity
- Academic transcript
- ACT and/or SAT scores, requested but not required
- FAFSA Student Aid Acknowledgement Report (view a sample)
- Two letters of recommendation
How Applications Are Evaluated
Financial Need
25%
Commitment to a Transportation Career
25%
Academic Achievement and Potential
25%
Extracurricular and Community Involvement
10%
Special Circumstances
15%
Requirements for Continuing University Scholars
Students accepted into the ITE University Scholars Program may continue receiving support as long as they maintain acceptable academic progress and meet program requirements.
- Maintain continuous full-time enrollment in transportation engineering, planning, or a related program at a college or university with an established ITE Student Chapter.
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA per semester on a 4.0 scale.
- Continue making satisfactory progress toward graduation.
- Provide transcripts and other documentation requested by the ITE University Scholars Program Subcommittee.
- Financial support is available up to a maximum of $20,000, with up to $4,000 provided annually for as many as five years of undergraduate enrollment.
About ITE and the ITE Legacy Fund
ITE
ITE is an international community of transportation professionals working to improve mobility and safety for all transportation system users and help build smart, livable communities. ITE supports professional development, technical knowledge, education, research, and the exchange of transportation information.
ITE Legacy Fund
The ITE Legacy Fund supports the development of future leaders in ITE and the transportation profession, including programs that provide educational, leadership, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
University Scholars Are Supported By
