On your Way to College? Amtrak® will help you get there.

Part of being a college student is knowing how to save. Amtrak makes it easy to find deals by offering a money-saving connection that can make traveling by Amtrak even more rewarding. Check out the Student Advantage Card.

If you aren’t already a part of the program, sign up for a Student Advantage Card at www.studentadvantage.com and take advantage of over 20,000 in discounts on clothing, food, entertainment, textbooks, Amtrak travel and more.

Amtrak Travel Awards Program

“There’s nothing quite like the HBCU experience. From the embracing environments to the undeniable cultural pride, HBCUs provide much more than an education – they develop character, bring enlightenment and demonstrate excellence. That’s why, for the sixth year, Amtrak is proud to partner with the United Negro College Fund to assist students with their travel needs. More than 1000 students have received an Amtrak Travel Award since the program began in 2004! Applications are accepted in the fall of each school year. Let Amtrak take you wherever you want to go.

Click here for more information on how to apply for an Amtrak Travel Award.

Click here to view a map and get more information about Amtrak service in HBCU cities.

Top Historically Black Colleges & Universities

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) play a critical role in the American higher education system. For most of America’s history, African Americans who received a college education could only get it from an HBCU. Today, HBCU’s provide a great option for an African American, or student of any race, to receive a high quality education.

In Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress officially defined an HBCU as, among other things, an institution whose principal missions were, and are, the education of African Americans, was accredited, and was established before 1964. The first HBCU, Cheney University in Pennsylvania was founded in 1837. Today, there are 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The following is a list of the top HBCUs in the country for your reference:

1.    Spelman College, Atlanta, GA.
This renowned private women’s college located in the heart of Atlanta has consistently remained in the top five rankings of historically black colleges nationwide, attesting to the excellence of its academic programs and dedication of its staff. The school’s small size ensures the provision of quality education across all spectra of the curriculum. Recently, the college attracted a $1 million grant aimed at boosting the profile of its engineering program, showing that Spelman retains its attractiveness to corporations seeking to invest in higher education.

For more details visit: http://www.spelman.edu/

2.    Howard University, Washington, D.C.  
Providing a consistently high quality of education since 1867, Howard University is an institution deeply committed to preserving and improving educational opportunities available to African Americans. Howard University offers a wide selection of academic programs at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, as well as ample opportunities for extracurricular involvement, resulting in a student body that is uncharacteristically diverse given the school’s size.

For more details visit: http://www.howard.edu/

3.    Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA.  
One of the few traditional male colleges remaining in the United States, Morehouse College is a piece of living history as much as it is an educational institution. Morehouse College is also a highly prestigious school — a member of the “Black Ivy League,” the alma mater of many Black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., and it is without a doubt one of the central pillars of historical African American higher education. Its rigorous academic curriculum, ranked next to such heavyweights as MIT and Johns Hopkins, guarantees a top-tier undergraduate-level education to any student bold enough to take on the challenge of mastering it.

For more details visit: http://www.morehouse.edu/

4.    Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA.
Louisiana’s Xavier University is the only historically Catholic Black college in the United States, but despite its sectarian beginnings, it has become a school with a solid commitment to diversity and liberal education values. Xavier University offers prospective students a number of highly competitive scientific education programs and is traditionally recognized as one of the best HBCUs for natural sciences and preparatory medical education. On top of that, Xavier University’s Pharmacy School consistently occupies top spots in national rankings. President Obama, who has taken an interest in the college in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, is an honorary degree holder.

For more details visit: http://www.xula.edu/

5.    Hampton University, Hampton, VA.  
With its rich, storied history and impressive alumni list, Hampton University is an attractive option for students interested in attending a historically African American school that treats its origins and traditions with deep reverence, but also aspires to fostering progressive attitudes in its students and alumni. Hampton University’s diverse academic curriculum includes both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate programs that are consistently recognized as some of the best in the nation. An extensive selection of top-notch athletic programs complements the college’s impressive academic credentials.

For more details visit: http://www.hamptonu.edu/

6.    Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC.
Claflin University, a pioneer of integrated education in the American South, is home to a host of top-quality academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. Though Claflin was originally established as a Methodist school, theology has long since taken a backseat to educational excellence – Claflin’s baccalaureate and graduate programs are firmly career-focused, offering students plentiful internship opportunities in addition to first-rate academics. Claflin University’s student body, like its academic curriculum, is highly diverse and includes global student exchange programs.

For more details visit: http://www.claflin.edu/

7.    Dillard University, New Orleans, LA.
Founded in the wake of the Civil War with the goal of preparing newly-freed slaves for full entry into the American society, Dillard University’s historical background is a richly-woven tapestry that contributes to infusing a collective sense of pride into the school’s graduates. The 2002 establishment of the Institute of Jazz Culture made Dillard University the premier destination for Jazz and music lovers across the country, cementing the school’s position as a New Orleans cultural landmark. Despite suffering severe damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina, Dillard University was able to resume operations and even improve some of its facilities.

For more details visit: http://www.dillard.edu/

8.    North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC.
The only public college in this top-ten list, North Carolina Central University represents an unbeatable opportunity for prospective students to receive a high quality education at only a tiny fraction of the price of other similarly-ranked institutions. With a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctorate degree tracks, NCCU has something to appeal to everyone, including Business and Law programs and ample hands-on research opportunities. Overall, North Carolina Central University offers an unparalleled cost-benefit ratio among HBCUs, making it an attractive option for anyone reluctant to accrue large debts while wanting uncompromised education quality.

For more details visit: http://www.nccu.edu/

Famous Historical Black Colleges and University Alumni

America's HBCUs have a proud and storied tradition. Since their inception, HBCU’s have furthered the development of African Americans who have become leaders in government, business, education, science, the military, law, and many other fields. Graduates of HBCU’s have made great contributions to our society and continue to serve as role models for all Americans.

Below is a list of several distinguished HBCU alumni’s
Maybe you could be one of them someday.

• Andrew Young — Civil Rights Leader (Morehouse College)
• Alice Walker — Literature (Spelman College)
• Althea Gibson Sportswoman (Florida A&M)
• Avery Johnson - NBA Player and Coach (Southern University)
• Azie Taylor Morton - U.S. Treasurer (Houston-Tillotson University)
• Barbara Jordan - Politician (Texas Southern)
• Common — Hip Hop Artist/Actor (Florida A&M University)
• David Dinkins — New York Mayor (Howard University)
• David Satcher - U.S. Surgeon General (Morehouse College)
• Earl G. Graves - Black Enterprise Publisher (Morgan State University)
• Ed Bradley – Journalist  CBS News and 60 Minutes (Cheney State)
• Esther Rolle — Actress (Spelman College)
• Fredricka Whitfield — Anchor CNN (Howard University)
• James Clyburn - U.S. Congress (South Carolina State University)
• Jerry Rice - NFL Player and Sports Anchor (Mississippi Valley)
• Keisha Knight-Pulliam — Actress (Spelman College)
• Kwame Kilpatrick - Mayor of Detroit (Florida A&M University)
• Lance Gross — Actor (Howard University)
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — Civil Rights Leader (Morehouse College)
• Oprah Winfrey — Media Mogul (Tennessee State University)
• Randy Jackson — Producer/American Idol (Southern University)
• Reuben Studdard — Singer (Alabama A&M University)
• Rod Paige - U.S. Secretary of Education (Jackson State University)
• Ronald McNair - Astronaut (North Carolina A&T)
• Ruth J. Simmons - Brown University President (Dillard University)
• Samuel L. Jackson — Actor (Morehouse College)
• Spike Lee — Director/Actor (Morehouse College)
• Taraji Henson — Actress (Howard University)
• Terrence "J" Jenkins — Radio Personality/Host 106 & Park (North Carolina A&T)
• Thurgood Marshall - U.S. Supreme Court Justice (Lincoln University)
• Wanda Sykes — Comedian (Hampton University)

Choosing a College:
The Importance of Visiting a College Campus

Visiting a college campus is one of the most exciting steps in a student’s life. Choosing a college is just like choosing a home; you want it to be a perfect fit. Before selecting your school, it is highly recommended for students to visit the campuses.

During your visit, don't be afraid to ask questions and take notes! Encourage your parents to do the same. Don't be shy; to get a clear picture of what campus life is like, you need to talk to as many people as possible, from admissions officers and tour guides to faculty and students. Ideally, the college you select will be where you live and work for at least four years. You want to be sure that you choose a school that suits you — and one where you'll excel academically and have a great time doing it.

During your visit, you should do as many of the following as possible:
•    Talk to an admissions counselor or have a formal admissions interview
•    Take a guided tour of the campus
•    Attend a class in the program you're thinking about studying
•    Meet with a professor or academic advisor in the program you're thinking about studying
•    Tour a residence hall and eat in the dorm's cafeteria
•    Talk to a coach (if you plan to play sports)
•    Save some time to wander around on your own
•    Explore the community around the college
•    Spend the night in an actual dorm room (if possible)

Amtrak is a proud sponsor of students attending HBCUs by providing programs that help students with their travel needs. Many HBCUs are accessible through several Amtrak travel routes.  Take advantage of the Student Advantage or Campus Visit discounts when visiting an HBCU campus or when traveling home.

For Students

There’s always something going on at your HBCU or an HBCU near you. With Amtrak traveling to over 500 destinations across the country, you can plan to be a part of it all.

• Campus Visit Program Information
• HBCUConnect.com Online Community

For Parents

Even though our children are in college now and think they’re all grown up, in our eyes, they’ll always be our children. And when it comes to the smartest, safest way to travel, you’ll be glad Amtrak is there.

The Smart Choice: Convenient seatback tables and Lounge Cars create the perfect environment for students to spread out and study, or grab a snack while they ride. And when you want to visit the family scholar, you’ll enjoy the comfort and convenience of traveling by train.
 
The Safe Choice: Amtrak gives you peace of mind knowing that your student is safe and secure traveling without the hassles of highway traffic or the need for rest stop breaks.

Discounts

Find deals and a money-saving connection that makes traveling by Amtrak even more rewarding.  

Student Advantage Card: If you aren’t already a part of the program, sign up for a Student Advantage Card at www.studentadvantage.com and take advantage of over 20,000 in discounts on clothing, food, entertainment, textbooks, Amtrak travel and more.

On Amtrak, everyone enjoys discounts! Infants under 2-years-old ride free, kids ages 2-15 ride half-off, and seniors ages 62-and-up are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. This is one ride where height requirements and age restrictions are nonexistent. Amtrak is fun for the entire family! 

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