🧠 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
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📌 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 isn’t just handing out checks — they’re looking for future tech leaders who might otherwise be overlooked.”
🎯 What Amazon Is Actually Looking For
They want underrepresented students in tech who have shown grit, curiosity, and commitment. You don’t need to be the next Zuckerberg — 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 — not just a résumé
📈 Tips & Strategy
- Highlight your coding journey: Even if it’s unconventional, explain how you got into CS and what drives you.
- Include impact: Talk about how tech has helped you help others — tutoring, club projects, or community apps.
- Keep the tone hopeful: Amazon is looking for students with potential and perseverance — not perfection.
- Make the essays personal: Show who they are, not just what they’ve done.
🚀 How to Improve Your Kid’s 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 — Amazon uses financial need to prioritize finalists.
📎 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
🧰 Parent Tools
🌟 Could This Be Your Student?
Name: Marcos D.
GPA: 3.4 | SAT: 1250
Tech Path:
– Learned Python through freeCodeCamp
– Created a budgeting app for his family
– Started a coding club at his Title I school
Why He Stood Out: Marcos didn’t 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.*