đ§ Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
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đ Quick Facts
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Amount | $10,000/year (up to $40,000) + paid Amazon internship |
| Eligibility | High school seniors planning to major in CS or related field |
| GPA Requirement | Minimum 2.3 (unweighted) |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or permanent resident |
| Deadline | Typically January |
“Amazon isnât just handing out checks â theyâre looking for future tech leaders who might otherwise be overlooked.”
đŻ What Amazon Is Actually Looking For
They want underrepresented students in tech who have shown grit, curiosity, and commitment. You donât need to be the next Zuckerberg â but you should have:
- Genuine interest in computer science (coursework, clubs, self-taught, etc.)
- Evidence of leadership or initiative
- Demonstrated financial need (via FAFSA)
- A story â not just a rĂ©sumĂ©
đ Tips & Strategy
- Highlight your coding journey: Even if itâs unconventional, explain how you got into CS and what drives you.
- Include impact: Talk about how tech has helped you help others â tutoring, club projects, or community apps.
- Keep the tone hopeful: Amazon is looking for students with potential and perseverance â not perfection.
- Make the essays personal: Show who they are, not just what theyâve done.
đ How to Improve Your Kidâs Chances
- Encourage them to take or self-study a coding course (e.g., AP CS, Python bootcamps).
- Help them build a basic coding project (even a portfolio website counts).
- Gather early recommendation letters from math or tech-related teachers.
- Get FAFSA done early â Amazon uses financial need to prioritize finalists.
đ How to Apply
Applications typically open in November and are due in January through Scholarship America.
Required Materials:
- Transcript (minimum 2.3 GPA)
- Proof of CS coursework or interest
- Two essays
- Letter of recommendation
- FAFSA information
đ§° Parent Tools
đ Could This Be Your Student?
Name: Marcos D.
GPA: 3.4 | SAT: 1250
Tech Path:
â Learned Python through freeCodeCamp
â Created a budgeting app for his family
â Started a coding club at his Title I school
Why He Stood Out: Marcos didnât have the fanciest credentials, but his application showed drive and resourcefulness. Amazon saw a builder in the making.
*This is a fictional example based on real trends.*