Scholarship Train
NEW FOR 2025 - TRADE SCHOLARSHIP!!!!!!!
"I'm thankful to NEARS for its investment that helped shape my career while I was a college student 15 years ago. I graduated from The George Washington University with a B.A. in International Affairs in 2014, and a M.Ed in Elementary Education in 2015. Now in my 10th year of teaching in the District of Columbia Public Schools, I can say that NEARS' investment paid off, as I have taught over 200 children in pre-k 3, first grade, and second grade. It is a privilege to nurture our next generation." Tabitha Nemeroff
APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 18th!
Application must be received or postmarked by July 18th, 2025.

Kenneth L. Enzor Scholarship Fund

This fund is under the supervision and control of the North East Association of Rail Shippers. The purpose of the fund is to provide Scholarships for ambitious and worthy students who have an interest in pursuing an academic degree, and who have a desire to obtain higher education. Preference will be given, but is not limited to, those pursuing an interest in a transportation related field. The scholarships are administered solely by the North East Association of Rail Shippers. Awards will be made on a yearly basis, requiring application and review for each calendar year.

"Receiving the NEARS Scholarship has been a great help to me and my family. It eased the stress of moving and getting started with schoolwork by ensuring that I could afford all the supplies I needed to get the semester off to a good start. College costs are already daunting to begin with, and I'm very grateful to NEARS for providing me with some peace of mind."
-Emily Demmert

 

"NEARS's scholarship has helped to alleviate the financial stress of post-secondary education, while communicating their immense support for the education of the next generation. My investment in a Biomedical Engineering degree will allow me to help others for the rest of my career, so I'll be able to give back to the community and the world. Thank you for your investment in my future."
-Aiyana Fortin

Carl R Citelli Scholarship Fund

Carl R. Citelli Scholarship This fund is under the supervision and control of the North East Association of Rail Shippers. The purpose of the fund is to provide Scholarships for ambitious and worthy students who have an interest in pursuing a career in the trades. Scholarships are to be used for a vocational/trades school or relevant certification. Preference will be given, but is not limited to, those pursuing an interest in a transportation related field. The scholarships are administered solely by the North East Association of Rail Shippers. Awards will be made on a yearly basis, requiring application and review for each calendar year."

Apply Today!
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Who's Eligible

High school students or full time enrolled undergraduate college students, or students enrolled in a vocational or trades program. Students must be in good standing at their respective high school, college, university or program, and must be Canadian or United States citizens. Applicants can be either dependent or non-dependent students. Dependent students defined as those who receive support from parents or guardians.

How do I Apply?

To apply for the scholarship, you can fill out our online form:
Apply Online Now!
scholarships

Scholarship recipients will be selected according to merit on a competitive basis, based on the application and information that are received.

Students previously awarded a scholarship must re-apply again for consideration of this year’s scholarships. Students previously awarded a scholarship and re-applying this year, must have complied with the previous year’s award requirement to provide 2-3 progress updates through-out the previous academic year (see below).

The NEARS Board has authorized at least 5 separate awards to be given for a total of $5,000. The Board can also authorize additional awards and funds at their discretion. The Board will meet to decide on the scholarship amounts, which will be at least $500/award. Funds will be sent directly to the award recipient, and not the college.

Scholarship recipients are completely responsible for making admission arrangements and fulfilling all requirements of the school selected, which must be a college or university or program in the United States or Canada, or an affiliate thereof abroad, which is fully accredited by its regional accrediting commission on higher education. The recipient must enter college as a student in the fall term following selection and must pursue a course of study leading to one of the traditional degrees. Scholarship recipients are expected to make normal academic progress from year to year and must remain in good academic and disciplinary standing. While honor grades are not required, scholarship recipients have a responsibility to do quality work in college.

Scholarship recipients must understand and accept the responsibility that they will be required to provide at least 2 progress updates throughout the academic year, to the Scholarship Awards Committee. Updates should include information on GPA and a short briefing of academic activities. Failure to provide those updates will result in ineligibility to apply again the following year.

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What Do I Need To Include 
The North East Association of Rail Shippers Scholarships require the following information: A completed application (the application MUST be completed for NEARS to consider your application) A short essay describing your current and future goals, and how this scholarship may help you achieve these goals Full academic transcript is required from either high school for incoming college freshmen, or full college/program academic transcript(s) from all colleges/programs attended. Screen shots and unofficial transcripts are acceptable as long as the classes and grades received are present. Two Letters of Recommendation. One letter must be from a paid, active, registered member of the North East Association of Rail Shippers. The other letter can be from anyone that knows the applicant well and can write on behalf of the student. Possible sources could be, but are not limited to: teachers/professors, counselors, employers, and coaches. A list of activities that may include employment, volunteerism, sports, and other extracurricular type activities. Optional information may be submitted as well. Feel free to include SAT/ACT scores, your resume, a short video, or any other information that could support your case to receive a scholarship. Scholarship amounts will be determined by the available scholarship pool. NEARS has committed to scholarship amounts to be at least $1000 per scholarship. The pool of funds available will be divided evenly among all recipients. Scholarship amounts may exceed $1500/each depending on the scholarship pool. Funds will be sent directly to the award recipient and not to the college.

Who Handles Scholarship Procedures?

The North East Association of Rail Shippers handles all phases of the process, including selection of recipients and payment of awards.

For any scholarship questions, you may contact any of the Awards Committee NEARS Board members:


Scott McCalla
scott@nears.org    (802) 779-1413

Thomas Coleman
Thomas@railstrong.com    (732) 299-7321

Successful applicants will receive the award via check to the personal address provided on the application unless other arrangements are made. 

Past Recipients:

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
*NEARS is required to follow certain procedures and criteria in selecting scholarship recipients and determining the amount of an awarded scholarship. Applicants should be aware that simply because an applicant may be eligible for a NEARS scholarship does not guarantee that such eligible applicant will receive any scholarship. NEARS does not discriminate in the selection of scholarship recipients on the basis of race, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or upon any other prohibited basis.