APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

2026 Scholarship Program — COMTO Washington, DC Chapter

The COMTO Washington, DC Chapter is proud to offer scholarships in the range of $1,000-$2,000, totaling $10,000, to deserving students residing in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (i.e., DMV) region who have a career interest in the transportation industry and related fields.

The Scholarship Program supports the mission of COMTO by strengthening communities, elevating all lived experiences, and connecting talent to opportunities in all aspects of transportation.

Who can Apply?

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible:

• Reside or are attending a college, university, or trade/technical school full-time in the following Counties in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia in the DMV region based on the US Census Data:

• “Washington, DC–MD Metropolitan Division”, consisting of Washington D.C., Prince George's County and Charles County, Maryland

• “Arlington–Alexandria–Reston, VA–WV Metropolitan Division”, consisting of Northern Virginia and Jefferson County, WV

• “Frederick–Gaithersburg–Rockville, MD Metropolitan Division”, consisting of Montgomery and Frederick counties in Maryland

• Are either:

• A senior in high school (graduating in 2026), or

• Enrolled full-time in a college, university, or trade school 

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or hold a GED certificate

• Will be enrolled full-time in a college, university, or trade/technical school during the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 academic semester

Application Guidelines and Instructions

Follow the steps below to complete your application for the COMTO DC Scholarship Program. 

All materials must be submitted online by February 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Complete the online application form at COMTO DC Chapter Scholarship Application.

Step 2: Upload Required Documents

Upload the following documents directly within the online application form:

1. Personal essay

   Please upload one (1) typed essay (approximately 500 words) addressing all of the the following:

   What inspires your interest in transportation or a related field (e.g., STEM, public policy, logistics, trade)?

   How has your background or life experience shaped your educational and career goals?

   What do you hope to contribute to your community or the transportation industry in the future?

   Why should you be selected for a COMTO DC Scholarship?

2. One (1) letter of recommendation (see Letter of Recommendation Guidance for Referring Individuals section below on this page)

   We recommend that applicants request letters from individuals who know them well and can speak to their qualifications, such as:

   • Teachers or professors

   • Academic advisors

   • Employers or supervisors (especially in related fields)

   • Mentors or community leaders

   Avoid requesting letters from family members or friends. Applicants are encouraged to provide their referring individual with the Letter of Recommendation Guidance for Referring Individuals shown below on this page.

3. School Transcript with Proof of GPA (minimum 3.0) or a copy of your GED certificate

Step 3: Submit Before the Deadline

Ensure all documents are uploaded and your application is submitted by 11:59 PM EST on February 14, 2026.  Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Scholarship Award Process

Recipients will be selected by the COMTO DC Scholarship Committee based on:

• Successful completion of the application and supporting documents

• The application’s score using the evaluation criteria (see below)

Applications will be evaluated by the COMTO DC Scholarship Committee using the following criteria:

• Personal Essay (30%) – quality of writing, clarity of goals, connection to transportation or related fields, and demonstration of motivation, character, and vision for contributing to the community or industry.

• Academic Achievement (20%) – strength of GPA or GED equivalent, and overall commitment to learning.

• Letter of Recommendation (25%) – strength of endorsement, highlighting leadership, initiative, or community impact.

• Community Involvement & Leadership (25%) – participation in school, work, or volunteer activities that demonstrate responsibility, service, and growth.

Award Notification and Celebration

• Applications are due on February 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

• Selected recipients (i.e., Awardees) will be notified by March/April 2026.

• Awardees must submit:

1. Proof of residency or school attendance in the DMV region (Driver’s license, two (2) utility bills, or School Record)

2. A recent digital photo (professional or casual) for recognition purposes. (These will be used for recognition on the award notice, the COMTO website, social media, and during the COMTO DC Scholarship Reception)

3. A short (15 to 30 second) acceptance video for use in announcements by COMTO Headquarters and COMTO DC

• Scholarship recipients are expected to attend the COMTO DC Scholarship Reception in May 2026 in-person (date and location TBD).

Questions?

Please contact the COMTO DC Scholarship Committee at scholarships@dccomto.com.

Important Dates

Application Period Opened: December 1, 2025

Application Deadline: February 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Committee Review Period: February-March 2026

Award Notifications: March-April 2026

Scholarship Reception & Celebration: May 2026 (Awardees must attend in-person to receive an awarded scholarship)

Disclaimers

1. Eligibility Disclaimer

Scholarship eligibility is limited to applicants who meet the criteria outlined in the application materials. Applications that do not meet eligibility requirements will not be considered.

2. Non-Guarantee of Award

Submission of an application does not guarantee receipt of a scholarship. Awards are competitive and subject to available funding. The number and size of awards will depend on the applicant pool and available funding.

3. Final Decision Authority

All decisions of the scholarship selection committee are final and not subject to appeal.

4. Use of Funds

Scholarship funds must be used for educational purposes only, such as tuition, fees, books, or other approved expenses. Misuse of funds may result in revocation.  Awards must be used for the 2026–27 academic year and cannot be deferred.

5. Tax Liability

Recipients are responsible for any federal, state, or local taxes that may result from the award.

6. Publicity & Consent

By accepting the award, recipients grant permission to use their name, likeness, and submitted materials for promotional purposes, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

7. Right to Modify or Withdraw

The sponsoring organization reserves the right to amend, suspend, or withdraw the scholarship program at any time without prior notice.

8. Non-Transferability

Scholarship awards are non-transferable and must be accepted as granted.

9. Verification

The organization reserves the right to verify all information provided in the application. Providing false or misleading information may result in disqualification.

10. Compliance

Recipients must remain in good academic standing and comply with institutional and program requirements to maintain eligibility.