2026
Scholarship
Program
Scholarship Award Event
The COMTO Chicago Chapter Scholarship Award Reception will be held on July 9, 2026. Scholarship Award Recipients will be notified no later than May 30, 2026.
Application Deadline
Friday, May 15, 2026
EXAMPLES OF ACADEMIC MAJORS THAT SUPPORT THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY
Transportation professionals work in a broad range of areas that aim to facilitate the safe, efficient movement of people and goods. Academic majors that support the transportation industry include the following:
Engineering (i.e., Civil, Construction, Environmental, Mechanical, and Electrical)
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Social Sciences (i.e., Planning, Economics, Geography, and Political Science)
Business Administration (i.e., Business Management, Policy, Public Health, Communications, Human Resources, Accounting and more!
Jobs in the transportation field range from the design of transportation vehicles and systems, including the evaluation of the cost and efficiency of these vehicles and systems, to the study of environmental impacts on travelers (congestion, safety, and health-related) and the development of transportation policies.
2026 Scholarship Application
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2026 Scholarship Application 〰️
APPLICATION PROCEDURE CHECK LIST
Document Checklist
(PLEASE UPLOAD ALL DOCUMENTS IN ONE (1) ATTACHMENT)
Applicants must submit the following:
Completed Student Application with signature
Career Interest Essay – Maximum 600 words (1-page minimum)
Official Transcript – most recent school transcript showing cumulative GPA.
Resume
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation. A letter of reference from a professor, counselor, community leader, or advisor. Applicants will receive additional score points for references that submit a letter of recommendation on the organization’s official letterhead. Refer to Attachment 1.)
Photo – Suitable for printing in a brochure
APPLICATION & APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
ONLINE APPLICATION
Submit the online scholarship application available at this link:
Application materials must be emailed no later than Friday, May 1, 2026. E-mail Application Materials to: COMTOChicagoScholarships@COMTOChgo.org
CAREER INTEREST ESSAY
Guidelines
Format: 1.5 to 2 pages, double-spaced.
Objective: Describe your short-term and long-term career goals and address why you deserve this award, your background & resilience, and the impact of this support will have on tour success.
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
Submit by postal mail an original copy of your most recent transcript sealed by your school. The transcript may also be sent electronically directly from the school to COMTOChicagoScholarships@COMTOChgo.org. Electronic transcript is preferred.
RÉSUMÉ
Provide a 1-page resume that includes information on your work experience, volunteer activities, education, honors/awards received, and other interests.
REFERENCE/RECOMMENDATION
Two (2) Letters of Recommendations from any of the following: a teacher, academic advisor, a manager or supervisor from a community organization where you have worked or volunteered, an employer, or a person other than a relative. You can download the following form as to provide to your teacher or academic counselor.
PHOTO
Graduation Photo (not proofs) or headshot photo suitable for printing in a brochure.
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ELIGIBILITY AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
1. U.S. resident or non-U.S. Citizen student that has an alien registration card or whom are a permanent resident, enrolled full-time as High School seniors, undergraduate students in a transportation industry related academic program at an accredited college, university, or vocational-trade school. All eligible students are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be able to describe their short and long-range professional career goals in an essay.
2. Applicants must either be a resident of Illinois or attending a college or vocational-technical school in Illinois.
3. High school graduates or College Students with a declared academic major for Fall 2026. (Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable Scholarship is exclusive to graduating HS Senior)
4. Applicants must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or above.
7. Applicants will be required to verify information.
8. Applicants must be a COMTO student member.
9. Students may receive scholarships a maximum of two times from the COMTO Chicago Chapter.