Diversity Scholars Program

The application for the 2024 Diversity Scholars Program is closed. We'll open the 2025 application by November 1, 2024.

About the ITE Diversity Scholars Program

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

Application Checklist

You are required to provide information and upload documents as a part of this application.  Here is a listing of the information that you will need:

• Information about you including your address, email and a phone number
• Information about your parent/guardian (including contact information and highest level of education attained)
• Annual Household Income
• Current School Address
• Listing of Accomplishments (Name and Date) (not required)
• Listing of Extracurricular Activities (Name and Date) (not required)
• Listing of Community Service Activities (Name and Date) (not required)
• Name of the university you will be attending or if you are unsure, the name of up to 3 universities to which you applied.
• Intended date of enrollment in university and intended major
• Documents to upload
  • Personal Statement (1-2 pages on "Why are you applying for this opportunity?")
  • Transcript
  • ACT and/or SAT Scores (requested but not required)
  • FAFSA Student Aid Acknowledgement Report, view a sample
  • 2 letters of recommendation

Scoring/Judging Criteria

Your application will be scored on 10 criteria.  The full explanation of criteria and allocation of points can be accessed here:  ITE Diversity Scholars Judging Criteria.  The key criteria include:

• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• STEM Related Courses
• Accomplisments/Awards/Honors
• Extracurricular Activities
• Personal Statement
• Recommendation Letters (2)
• First Generation College Student
• Demonstrated Financial Need
• Additional Special Circumtances

About the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the ITE Legacy Fund

ITE is an international membership association of transportation professionals who work to improve mobility and safety for all transportation system users and help build smart and livable communities. Through its products and services, ITE promotes professional development and career advancement for its members, supports and encourages education, identifies necessary research, develops technical resources including standards and recommended practices, develops public awareness programs, and serves as a conduit for the exchange of professional information.  For more information, visit www.ite.org.

The ITE Legacy Fund works to fulfill ITE’s mission of shaping the future of the profession and transportation by supporting the growth of its future leaders. The goal of the ITE Legacy Fund program is to help develop the next generation of leaders in ITE and the transportation profession. 

Diversity Scholars are supported by