AASHTO Journal - Nebraska DOT Establishes Trade Skills Scholarship

The Nebraska Department of Transportation recently established the “Good Life, Great Journey” program to provide scholarships for individuals pursuing two-year technical degrees in critical transportation-related fields, such as diesel technology, electronic systems, drafting/design, and land surveying.

[Above image by Nebraska DOT]

The agency said in a statement that its new “Good Life, Great Journey” program will not only provide recipients with financial resources to fund their technical education, but also give them the opportunity to gain real world experience by interning at a Nebraska DOT facility. Applications for this program, along with all supporting materials, must be submitted by April 15.

This scholarship program is open to anyone pursuing or interested in pursuing one of the approved programs, the agency stressed, including graduating high school seniors, currently enrolled college students, and current Nebraska DOT employees, among others.

Eligible expenses for selected individuals covered by this scholarship program include tuition, books, fees, housing, and equipment, the agency said.

Additionally, candidates accepted into this program will work in a paid Nebraska DOT internship and will be eligible to be reimbursed for travel mileage between their residence and their designated Nebraska DOT internship location. Upon completion of the program, there will be an opportunity for full-time employment with Nebraska DOT, the agency added.

Many state departments of transportation across the country offer an array of scholarship programs as a way to build their workforces now and into the future.

For example, in September 2023, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded 34 promising students from across the state college scholarships to help further their pursuit of careers in civil engineering, construction management, and engineering technology.

The KYTC Transportation Scholarship program – which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023 – includes money for tuition, a paid summer job or co-op and the guarantee of full-time employment with the cabinet upon graduation.

Recipients agree to serve a year with KYTC for every year of scholarship assistance. If a graduate chooses to go elsewhere before fulfilling the employment obligation, the scholarship must be repaid year for year, the agency noted.