Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship 2027 - $40,000
The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program helps high school seniors who want to study computer science or a closely related major at an accredited US college. Scholarship America runs the selection process independently of Amazon hiring managers, and winners receive up to $40,000 spread across college plus internship opportunities at Amazon. You must show financial need, maintain at least a 2.3 cumulative GPA, and either complete qualifying CS coursework in high school or pass Amazon's optional HackerRank programming assessment. The January 2026 application window is closed; the next cycle should open in late fall 2026 with a deadline near the end of January 2027.
What is the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship?
The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Program is one of the larger corporate STEM awards aimed at high school seniors who plan to study computer science at a US college. Amazon funds the opportunity, but Scholarship America handles applications, verification, and selection so the process stays consistent nationwide.
Winners get up to $40,000 for undergraduate study, calculated as a last-dollar award after your college financial aid package is known. That structure means the scholarship fills gaps rather than replacing aid you already earned. Many recipients also pursue a paid Amazon internship, which turns the award into a pipeline from classroom CS work to industry experience.
The bar for grades is intentionally moderate (2.3 GPA minimum), but the pool is competitive because financial need, CS background, and extracurricular tech work all count. If you did not take AP Computer Science, the optional HackerRank assessment gives you another way to prove readiness. Watch the Scholarship America page in late 2026 for the next January deadline if the 2026 cycle has already closed.
Eligibility
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✓High school senior with 2.3 GPAYou must be a current high school senior with a minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (Scholarship America adjusts other grading scales automatically). Commitment to your studies matters in holistic review.
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✓Computer science major planPlan to pursue a bachelor's in computer science or an accepted related field at an accredited four-year US college, or start at an accredited two-year college with intent to transfer to a four-year program. Accepted majors include software engineering, data science, computer engineering, and several related technology fields listed on the program page.
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✓CS coursework or AFE assessmentComplete qualifying computer science classes in high school (such as AP Computer Science A, AP CSP, IB CS, or PLTW CS Essentials) or take the optional Amazon Future Engineer HackerRank assessment if you lack formal CS courses.
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✓Financial need documentationThe scholarship targets students with substantial need for financial assistance. Submit the first two pages of your household's most recently filed IRS Form 1040 (redact Social Security numbers) so reviewers can run a last-dollar award calculation against your college aid package.
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✓US work authorizationYou must be a US citizen, US permanent resident, or otherwise employment-authorized to work in the United States for at least two years from the application date.
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✓Eligible for Amazon internshipRecipients are expected to participate in Amazon internship opportunities tied to the program. Confirm you meet any age and work-authorization rules Amazon sets for interns in your state.
Benefits
- Scholarship total Up to $40,000 (amount varies by need)
- Renewability Up to 3 years with ~2.0 GPA and eligibility
- Education expenses Cost-of-attendance items per aid rules
- Amazon internship Paid internship opportunity included
- Selection independence Scholarship America chooses recipients
- Guaranteed full tuition Not guaranteed (last-dollar calculation)
- Graduate school funding Undergraduate award only
Document checklist
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✓Scholarship America online applicationComplete the Amazon Future Engineer application on Scholarship America's portal when the cycle opens. All answers must be final at submission; changes are not allowed after you click submit.
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✓Official high school transcriptUpload transcripts showing your name, school, courses, grades, credit hours, and terms. Include dual-enrollment or PSEO grades according to program guidance.
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✓IRS Form 1040 (first two pages)Provide the first two pages of the tax return used for your financial information. If you are a dependent, include the return of the person who claims you. Black out SSNs before uploading.
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✓Online recommendationOne recommendation, preferably from a computer science teacher or another instructor who knows your academic work well. The recommender submits directly through the portal.
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✓Financial aid award letter (if selected)Finalists provide a financial aid award letter from their college so Scholarship America can calculate the last-dollar scholarship amount.
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✓Optional HackerRank assessment proofIf you use the assessment instead of CS coursework, complete all required timed sections and keep the automated completion email from HackerRank as backup documentation.
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✓Disability accommodation requestsEmail [email protected] before the deadline if you need application accommodations.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
How much is the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship worth?
Each recipient can receive up to $40,000 total across college, with the exact amount based on financial need through a last-dollar calculation against your aid package. The award may renew for up to three years if you maintain good academic standing (typically a 2.0 GPA or better) and stay eligible.
What majors qualify for Amazon Future Engineer?
Eligible plans include computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, data science, electrical engineering, information technology, and other CS-related fields listed on the Scholarship America program page. You must attend an accredited US four-year school or a two-year college with a transfer plan to a four-year program.
Do I need AP Computer Science to apply?
You need either qualifying high school CS coursework (AP, IB, PLTW, or similar) or a passing attempt at the optional Amazon Future Engineer HackerRank assessment. The assessment has timed programming sections and cannot be retaken in the same cycle.
When is the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship deadline?
The 2026 cycle closed on January 26, 2026 at 3 PM CT. Scholarship America typically runs an annual winter deadline; expect the 2027 cycle to open in late 2026 with a similar January cutoff. Confirm dates on scholarshipamerica.org/amazonfutureengineer when the portal reopens.
Is the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship need-based?
Yes. Financial need is a core selection factor after basic eligibility is confirmed. You submit IRS 1040 pages so reviewers can understand your household situation. Merit factors such as GPA, CS experience, essays, and activities still matter in the holistic review.
Does Amazon pick the scholarship winners?
No. Scholarship America selects recipients independently. Amazon employees are not involved in scholarship decisions, which keeps the process separate from internship hiring choices.
Can DACA students apply for Amazon Future Engineer?
You must be employment-authorized to work in the United States for at least two years. US citizens and permanent residents clearly qualify. Other statuses depend on valid work authorization documentation; contact [email protected] if your situation is unclear.
What happens after I win the scholarship?
You use the funds for education-related expenses in your cost of attendance, renew annually if you meet GPA and eligibility rules, and pursue the paid Amazon internship opportunity tied to the program. Keep Scholarship America updated if your enrollment or financial situation changes.
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