AREMA Educational Foundation Scholarships
Offered by AREMA Educational Foundation
About This Scholarship
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) is the standards body for North American railway engineering, and its Educational Foundation funds the next generation of railway engineers. In 2026 the foundation awarded $37,000 across seventeen scholarships — seven at $1,000, eight at $2,500, and two at $5,000 — and a single application covers every scholarship the foundation offers, with the review committee matching each candidate to the awards they qualify for.
General scholarships start at a $2,500 minimum, and a roster of railroad-sponsored named awards rides alongside them: Canadian National, CSX, Norfolk Southern Foundation, Union Pacific's William E. Wimmer Scholarship, the North Carolina Railroad Company Scholarship for North Carolina students, the New York Central Railroad Memorial Scholarship with priority to Clarkson University, and the Van Trump Scholarship for female students, several of which prefer or require study within a sponsoring railroad's service area.
Applicants must be enrolled in an ABET-accredited four- or five-year engineering or engineering technology program (undergraduate or graduate), have completed at least one quarter or semester, hold a 2.5 GPA or better, have a demonstrated interest in railway engineering, and be available for an interview with the AREMA Scholarship Committee.
Eligibility
- Interest in railway engineering
- Enrolled in an ABET-accredited four- or five-year engineering or engineering technology degree program (undergraduate or graduate; comparable accreditation accepted in Canada and Mexico)
- Completed at least one quarter or semester of the program
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Available for interview by the AREMA Scholarship Committee
- Some named scholarships add school, state, or railroad-service-area criteria
How To Apply
- Complete the single 2027 scholarship application on the AREMA Educational Foundation site — it covers all foundation scholarships, and the review committee determines which awards you qualify for. Include the required personal statement and supporting materials, and submit by December 14, 2026; awards are announced the following spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply separately for each AREMA scholarship?
No. One application covers all scholarships offered by the foundation, and the Scholarship Review Committee determines which awards each candidate qualifies for.
How much are the awards?
General scholarships have a $2,500 minimum, railroad-sponsored named awards are typically $1,000, and top awards reach $5,000. In 2026 the foundation gave $37,000 across seventeen scholarships.
What majors are eligible?
Engineering and engineering technology students in ABET-accredited four- or five-year programs, undergraduate or graduate, with a demonstrated interest in railway engineering.