WTS Scholarships
The WTS Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in transportation through undergraduate and graduate programs. The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record and transportation-related activities or job skills. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
2023 WTS Scholarship Award recipients are highlighted here.
Strategic Partner Scholarships
These scholarships are sponsored by WTS International Strategic Level Corporate Partners and support the Foundation's development of students in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in transportation. In 2024, four $5,000 corporate Strategic Partner Scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of AECOM, HDR, HNTB, Jacobs, and WSP.
Applications have closed for 2023-2024 WTS Strategic Partner Scholarships. Please check back for information regarding next year's opportunities.
WTS Foundation Scholarships
The scholarships named below are awarded first at the WTS Chapter level. Winners at the Chapter level are submitted to the WTS Foundation on an annual basis for consideration, with winners announced in May of the following year at the WTS International Annual Conference.
- Considerations for Scholarship Distribution to Encourage Diverse Applicants
- Scholarship Evaluation Guidelines
- Scholarship Application Coversheet
Local Chapters may have additional requirements (such as personal interviews or higher GPA). Please contact your local Chapter for more information regarding any additional requirements. All applications are submitted through a chapter, and chapters submit their nominations for consideration to a Selection Committee composed of Foundation Board members.
WTS Chapter representatives can access application forms through the MyWTS Communities.
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field and honors Sharon D. Banks, general manager of Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland, CA, during most of the 1990s. She led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit workforce. She was a member of the WTS Advisory Board and received the WTS San Francisco Chapter Woman and Employer of the Year Awards.
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship
The Helene M. Overly Scholarship was established in 1981 to honor the first Executive Secretary of WTS for her dedicated service to the organization in public service, organizational abilities and a spirit of determination that helped WTS nearly double its membership in two years. To be eligible for this $10,000 scholarship, applicants must meet the above criteria and be enrolled in a graduate degree program in a transportation-related field such as engineering, planning, finance, or logistics.
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
The purpose of the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry, ensuring that the essential leadership skills and perspectives of women are included in planning the transportation systems of the future. Leadership does not just happen. Leaders personally invest and risk much. They take on struggles that many would avoid and persevere to reach successful outcomes. These qualities receive special attention in the selection of the winner of this $5,000 award.
Jannet Walker-Ford Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates
The Jannet Walker-Ford Leadership Legacy Fund has been established to honor the past, present, and future leaders of WTS by awarding an annual scholarship to female graduate students pursuing a career in transportation. Each year, the Leadership Legacy Scholarship will provide a $5,000 award to a young woman pursuing a career in transportation. Eligible candidates are pursuing graduate degrees in transportation or a related field and demonstrate leadership skills and an active commitment to community service. For this year's award, focus is on women who demonstrate leadership in bringing ideas, innovation, and innovative approaches to transportation challenges in the US and beyond. It includes candidates who have a specific interest in addressing the impact of transportation on sustainability, land use, environmental impact, security, and quality of life issues affecting communities around the globe.
Junior College/Trade School Scholarship
WTS fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in transportation. One way we achieve this is by awarding community, technical, or trade college scholarships to women pursuing transportation-related study at community and trade colleges. This scholarship, intended for students pursuing an Associate or technical degree, is in the amount of $2,500.
WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship
WTS awards the Transportation YOU Scholarship to girls pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering, and math to foster the development of women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in transportation. The Transportation YOU High School Scholarship is in the amount of $2,500.