Public Transportation Scholarships

APTF provides scholarships to deserving students interested in the transit field. Applicants should demonstrate a continued interest in a career in the public transportation industry, high academic achievement, and need for financial assistance. Selections will be made without regard to disability, race, color, religion, sex or ethnic origin.  It is the intent of this Foundation to provide equal opportunity and consideration to all qualified individuals.

​​​Returning scholarship applicants must be sponsored by an APTA member organization or APTA member assignee. First time applicants are not required to obtain a sponsor. Further information about application guidelines​ can be found on the APTF Scholarship Program​ page.

APTF Named Scholarships

In addition to the APTF board scholarships, below are several named scholarships. 

  • Jack R. Gilstrap Scholarship – awarded to the applicant receiving the highest overall score.
  • Parsons Brinckerhoff Jim Lammie Scholarship – awarded to an applicant dedicated to a public transportation engineering career.
  • Louis T. Klauder Scholarship – awarded to an applicant dedicated to a career in the rail transit industry as an electrical or mechanical engineer.
  • Dan M. Reichard, Jr. Scholarship – awarded to an applicant dedicated to a career in the business administration/ management area of the transit industry.
  • Dr. George M. Smerk Scholarship – awarded to an applicant dedicated to a career in public transit management
  • Richard J. Bouchard – AECOM Scholarship – awarded to an applicant dedicated to a career in public transportation planning and development.
  • Florida Public Transportation Association Scholarship (FPTA) – awarded to an applicant from the state of Florida, and sponsored by a Florida public transit system or the FPTA.
  • Reba Malone Scholarship – awarded to an applicant dedicated to a career in transit or transportation marketing ​/ communications.
  • Raymond C. Miller Scholarship – awarded to an applicant dedicated to a career in transit marketing.
  • Shirley DeLibero Scholarship – awarded to an African-American applicant dedicated to a career in public transportation.
  • Frank Lichtanski Scholarship​ – awarded to an eligible candidate from small or medium-sized transit agencies each year to attend a session of the Eno Center for Transportation Leadership Transit Executive Seminar. Applicants interested in this scholarship apply directly through the Eno website. 
  • William Millar Scholarship – awarded to a young student committed to entering the public transit industry.
  • Jerome C. Premo Scholarship – awarded to a student entering their junior, senior or graduate level of a college/ university.
  • BMBG/Janie Wulkan Memorial Scholarship – awarded to a female applicant committed to a career in public transportation.
  • Fran Hooper Scholarship – awarded to an applicant studying rail engineering with the intent to pursue a career in public transportation, with preference given to a qualified woman applicant.    
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 25th Anniversary Scholarship – awarded to a student in an undergraduate or graduate academic discipline who expresses an interest in working to enhance accessible public transportation. 
  • Bombardier Transportation Scholarship – awarded to an applicant studying rail engineering with the intent to pursue a career in the rail manufacturing industry or public transit.
  • Valarie J. McCall Scholarship – awarded to an applicant who is pursuing studies in urban transportation planning or public administration with a focus in transportation.
  • James “Jim” Cowen Scholarship – awarded to an applicant who is pursuing studies in transit planning or development
  • Nathaniel Ford Scholarship – awarded to a minority applicant pursuing studies in the fields of Mobility, Logistic Management, Innovation Management and/or Science Technology, with the intent to pursue a career in public transportation.
  • Stephanie Pinson Scholarship – awarded to a female candidate of high academic achievement who is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in science or engineering​