2024 R&LHS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society is proud to sponsor scholarships to promote the study, at a professional academic level, of railroad history and operations. The scholarships are named in honor of three individuals, George W. Hilton, Edward Myers and Bruce R. Ward, who generously bequeathed funds to the R&LHS. 2024 is the fifth year of the program, and scholarship awards have been made to 17 highly qualified applicants in the program’s first four years.
As many as five scholarships, each in the amount of $3,000 per academic year, may be awarded. Both advanced undergraduates (3rd and 4th year) and graduate students may apply. Scholarship applicants must be enrolled, at an accredited college/university in a degree-seeking program in the 2024-2025 academic year.
The program is open to students majoring in history, transportation/transportation logistics, or other majors where the student’s work has a demonstrated connection to railroad operations, engineering, or history.
Timeline for Applications and Awards
- January 1- Applications may be requested.
- March 31- Applications due.
- May 31- Committee decisions due.
- June 30 – Notification to Scholarship applicants.
- August 1- Funds distributed. The award will be sent to the college or university to be applied to the student’s account to pay for educational expenses.
Application Procedures
- Application packets must include a 2024 Application Form that can be requested from rlhsscholarship@gmail.com. Applicants will then receive the form as a Word document, which must be completed, signed, and included in the application packet.
- Complete application packets should be sent to rlhsscholarship@gmail.com. Questions about the program can also be directed to this address.
- Packets must be received by midnight, Eastern Time, on March 31st
- Packets received late, or incomplete, will not be considered.
- The decisions of the committee are final.
Base Qualifications for Undergraduate Applicants
- Enrolled in a regionally accredited college/university in a degree-seeking program and have at least third year status at the time of the award.
- Enrolled in at least six credit hours of classes.
- Applicant must specify if enrollment is by the semester, trimester, or quarter.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on the four-point scale.
- Recipients may reapply for one additional year of funding, provided that all qualifications continue to be met.
- Unsuccessful applicants are invited to reapply for the next award cycle.
Required Documents for Application of Undergraduate Applicants
- Statement of Purpose – In 500 words or two pages the applicant must describe their interest in railroad history/operations, the connection to their academic studies, and outline their career goals. Applicants are invited to include documentation of coursework, research projects or other activities that would help illustrate their statement of purpose. (Such documentation is optional for undergraduate awards applications.)
- Faculty Recommendation – The letter should describe the student’s previous work for/with the faculty member and provide a general overview of the student’s academic potential. The recommendation from a professor or faculty member should be sent directly by him or her as a separate document to rlhsscholarship@gmail.com.
- Character Reference – Applicant must provide a one-page statement about the applicant’s character from someone who knows the applicant well but is not an immediate family member.
- College Transcript — Registrar-issued, “Unofficial” transcripts accepted.
Base Qualifications for Graduate Applicants
- Enrolled in a regionally accredited college/university in a degree-seeking program.
- Enrolled in at least six hours of classes or, if all coursework is completed, enrolled in thesis, dissertation, or continuation credits.
- Applicants must specify if enrollment is by the semester, trimester, or quarter.
- Minimum 3.0 on the four-point scale.
- Recipients may reapply annually and be awarded funds up to four times. To be eligible for additional scholarships recipients must show progress toward completion of their degree.
- Unsuccessful applicants are invited to reapply for the next award cycle.
Required Documents for Application of Graduate Applicants
- Statement of Purpose – In 500 words or two pages the applicant must describe their interest in railroad history/operations, the connection to their academic studies, and outline their career goals. Applicants are expected to include documentation of coursework, research projects or other activities that would help illustrate their statement of purpose.
- Faculty Recommendation – The letter should describe the student’s previous work for/with the faculty member and provide a general overview of the student’s academic potential. The recommendation from a professor or faculty member should be sent directly by him or her as a separate document to rlhsscholarship@gmail.com.
- Character Reference – Applicant must provide a one-page statement about the applicant’s character from someone who knows the applicant well but is not an immediate family member.
- College Transcript — Registrar-issued, “Unofficial” transcripts accepted.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
By submitting an application, the applicant grants the R&LHS permission for his or her name to be used to publicize recipients and develop promotional material for the scholarship award program.