Diversity Scholars Program

The purpose of this program is to increase underrepresented populations participation in the transportation profession by supporting increased diversity at the undergraduate level.  Diversity in transportation is critical as practitioners seek to fully understand the transportation needs of communities in the development of equitable mobility improvements to many areas of our society.

Understanding that success at the university level, in particular for first-generation college students, requires a multi-faceted approach, there are four cornerstones to this program:

• Financial support (a total of up to $20,000 in scholarship support: up to $4000 annually per student for up to 5 years of undergraduate enrollment)
• ITE Student Chapter engagement
• Mentoring
• Internship Opportunities

This program is open to any U.S. high school student or community college student transferring to a 4 year university, of African-American; Native American, Alaskan, and Hawaiian; or Hispanic/Latino heritage with an interest in a career in transportation and seeking to study transportation engineering, planning, or in a related-field at a school with an established ITE Student Chapter.  Preference will be given to first generation college students and low household income. An objective of the Diversity Scholars Program is to help those with the greatest need.  Applicants eligible for Pell Grants (as determined through the FAFSA application process) will be given priority, but those not eligible for Pell Grants will still be considered.

One (1) scholarship will be awarded annually to an eligible graduating high school senior or community college student committed to pursuing a career in transportation engineering, planning or closely related field. The student must enroll in a University with an ITE Student Chapter.

Those who are accepted into the ITE Diversity Scholars Program are eligible to continue in the program, so long as they maintain acceptable progress toward graduation in the field of transportation engineering, planning, or a related field, and fulfill the minimum established standards for GPA (specific criteria listed under eligibility requirements).

Eligibility Requirements

The following criteria must be met by the high school or community college applicant and maintained by the undergraduate student:

• United States high school or community college student of African-American; Native American, Alaskan, and Hawaiian; or Hispanic/Latino heritage
• United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Intended or declared major in transportation engineering, planning, or a related field,
• Full-time enrollment or intended enrollment at an accredited college or university with an ITE student chapter,
• Good academic standing
  • Minimum high school grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale),
• Additional preferences:
  • First-generation college student (neither parent received a baccalaureate degree),
  • Low household income  - applicants that are eligible for Pell Grants will be given priority, but those not eligible for Pell Grants will still be considered

How to Apply

The 2025 application will be available in October of 2024.

• After initial selection, to continue in the ITE Diversity Scholars Program, the student must maintain:
• Continuous full-time enrollment in a transportation engineering, planning, or a related program at a college or university with an established ITE Student Chapter,
• Minimum 2.5 grade point average per semester (on a 4.0 scale)
• Continued progress toward graduation,
• Students will provide necessary transcripts and requested documentation to the ITE Diversity Scholars Program Subcommittee as required by the subcommittee
  • The financial support is for up to a maximum of $20,000: $4000 provided annually per student for up to 5 years of undergraduate enrollment