Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships can help fuel dreams

Students urged to apply by Feb. 15 for up to $11,000 in aid for education

When a roadway worker is killed or permanently disabled in a work zone incident, families are devastated but that doesn’t mean the worker’s children must give up on their career dreams.

Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships from the American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation can fuel those dreams by providing financial help to pursue post-high school education, whether it’s at a trade institute, community college, four-year college or a graduate school program.

“We have had students pursue a variety of studies from diesel mechanic to pharmacy,” said ATSS Foundation Director Lori Diaz. “The goal is to help dependents who have experienced these family tragedies to achieve their career goals, regardless of the type of education they need.”

Scholarships are available for the dependents of workers killed or permanently disabled in a work zone incident. The program is competitive and has a value of up to $10,000 for an academic year. Students who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism may be eligible to receive an additional $1,000 in honor of Chuck Bailey, an esteemed member of the roadway safety industry who passed away in June 2002. Bailey was a member of the Ohio ATSSA Chapter, and not only worked tirelessly to see Congress approve funding dedicated for roadway safety projects, but also was quick to share his knowledge, contacts and time.

Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are due by Feb. 15. One application is used to apply for both scholarships and can be sent electronically to foundation@atssa.com.

Students can apply for a scholarship each year of their post-secondary academic studies.

The Foundation awarded 14 Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships and one Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarship to college and university students for the 2023-24 academic year.

Those students are pursuing a wide range of programs including agricultural business, architecture, astrophysics, communications, computer science, construction management, early childhood education, environmental science, nursing and social work.

Since its inception in 2002, the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program has awarded 126 Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarships and 26 Chuck Bailey Memorial Scholarships.

Learn more about the students and how Foundation scholarships have helped them pursue dreams despite tragedy.

In addition, as part of The Foundation’s mission to support the loved ones of those impacted by work zone crashes, the nonprofit’s scholarship programs offer help toward healing as well as educational opportunities.

The Foundation offers Experience Camp Travel Scholarships for children and youth to attend a free one-week, overnight summer camp where there is opportunity for healing alongside peers who have experienced similar losses. Experience Camps are a national network of summer camps and year-round programs for children and teens in grades 4 through 12. The Experience Camps Travel Scholarship covers all round-trip travel costs for the student and his or her guardian.

The ATSS Foundation is the charitable arm of ATSSA. It was formed with the core purpose to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs. Donations can be made at Foundation.ATSSA.com/Donate.