The NRC is now accepting 2026 scholarship applications. Scroll down for more details and application instructions.

The NRC awards scholarships each year to provide higher-education and trade-school tuition assistance for children or grandchildren of employees of NRC member companies. The scholarships were established by NRC members to honor the memory of two former NRC members –Vinnie Vaccarello (Co-President of All Railroad Services Corp.) and Patsy Crisafi (Executive Vice President of Roadway Worker Training, Inc.) – who were killed in a small plane crash. Since 2013, the NRC has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to eligible students.

‍The NRC expanded its scholarship program in 2023 to include the following two changes:

1. ‍ Employees of NRC member companies are now eligible to apply for NRC scholarships. This expansion means that the NRC Scholarship Program is open to employees of member companies, their children and grandchildren.
2. The NRC has added one scholarship for trade school students. This addition means the program will offer a total of four scholarships: one trade-school scholarship and three undergraduate scholarships.

‍Award Details - Scholarship funds in the following amounts are sent directly to the student winners at the beginning of the next term of study:

Undergraduate Scholarships:

• First-place award of $15,000
• Second-place award of $10,000
• Third place award of $5,000

Trade-School Scholarship

• One $5,000 scholarship for a trade-school student

Eligibility - Applicants must meet these qualifications to be eligible for the scholarships:

• Be a full-time employee of an NRC member company or a daughter, son, granddaughter or grandson of a current employee of an NRC member company.
• Be enrolled at the time of application as a full-time college student at an accredited two-year college offering an associate’s degree or an accredited four-year college or university offering a bachelor’s degree or a trade school, or a recent high school graduate enrolling at one of the institutions mentioned above.
• Must be enrolled at a qualified school for a full year following receipt of the award.
• Previous NRC Scholarship winners are eligible to apply for a scholarship if they still meet the requirements noted above.

Application – The NRC is now accepting applications for 2026 scholarships. Click here to access the application.

Applicants should review all materials before submitting an application. Any application deemed incomplete will not be graded or considered eligible for an award.

Applicants must submit the following items in one pdf:

1) completed application,

2) reference letter on the member company letterhead,

3) official school transcript,

4) Personal Essay - An essay, 500 words less, that addresses the following question:
How would you use this scholarship to maximize your academic success and impact your future?

5) Topical Essay - An essay, 500 words or less on this topic:
In your view, why is the rail industry important to communities and the national economy?

• Review the application pdf for more specific instructions.
• You are encouraged to consult with rail industry professionals and trade publications, such as Progressive Railroading, Railway Age and RT&S, for additional insight:
  

Deadline – August 14, 2026