Frequently asked questions

• General program information

  Q: What is the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program?
  
  The AWS AI & ML Scholarship program, in collaboration with Udacity, is an AI/ML-focused scholarship program providing 2,500 Udacity nanodegree scholarships annually, as well as a mentorship program, to students that identify as underserved or underrepresented in technology. The program aims to make the future tech workforce more diverse by removing financial barriers, providing skills training for a career in tech, and offering mentorship support.

  Q: How does the Scholarship program leverage AWS DeepRacer Student?
  
  The AWS AI & ML Scholarship program uses a free, student-only version of AWS DeepRacer to prequalify participants for the scholarship application. The prerequisites teach students general knowledge on ML, by creating a reinforcement learning model that can achieve a benchmark lap time around a race track. AWS DeepRacer Student provides free learning content, assessments, and the ability to compete in the AWS DeepRacer Student League that helps students learn the skills needed to complete prerequisites. 

  Q: Do I need prior knowledge in machine learning?

  No prior knowledge in machine learning, computer science, or car racing is needed. This program is designed to help anyone get started with ML through the engaging concept of racing.
  

  Q: When does the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program begin?
  
  Applications open for the new 2024 AWS AI & ML Scholarship program on February 1, 2024 through Udacity. Students can complete scholarship prerequisites for the 2024 program on AWS DeepRacer Student to unlock their unique code to finish their application. 

  Q: What are the important program dates?
  

  AWS AI & ML Scholarship Event	Start Date	End Date
  Applications Open - First Cohort	2/1/2024	5/31/2024
  Application Open - Second Cohort	6/1/2024	9/30/2024
  Udacity NanoDegree 1 – First Cohort (1000 students)	6/19/2024	10/18/2024
  Udacity NanoDegree 1 – Second Cohort (1000 students)	10/16/2024	2/14/2025
  Udacity NanoDegree 2 – Combined Cohorts (500 Students)	5/5/2025	10/6/2025

  Q: Where is the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program available?
  
  The AWS AI & ML Scholarship program is available globally, except where prohibited by law. See here for official terms and conditions. 

  Q: What differentiates the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program from other scholarship programs?
  
  The AWS AI & ML Scholarship program is unique because it uses AWS DeepRacer and corresponding AI/ML training content as a mechanism to inspire, engage, and educate participants in ways no other scholarship program does. Unlike traditional scholarships, all participants, not just winners, benefit from the program by learning the fundamentals of ML, AWS offerings, and the real-world problems that ML solves.

  One of the issues those new to ML face is the feeling that ML is out of reach for them. By familiarizing students with cloud and ML offerings in fun and hands-on ways, AWS DeepRacer provides inspiration and confidence students need to not only enroll in STEM fields, but also overcome challenges and successfully graduate. Improved diversity leads to creation of technologies that are more welcoming to the next generations of currently underrepresented groups.

  Q: How do I gain access to the AWS Generative AI course?

  Students need to prequalify on AWS DeepRacer Student and submit their scholarship application on Udacity. Upon completion of their application, Udacity will contact students with steps to enroll in the course “Introducing Generative AI with AWS”.

  Q: What is a Udacity Nanodegree?
  
  Udacity nanodegrees are massive open online courses (MOOCs) designed to bridge the gap between learning and career goals. For more details, see What is a Nanodegree Program? in the Udacity support documentation.

  Q: What concepts and skills will I learn in the program?

  The scholarship program skills guide outlines the course concepts, projects, and skills students will learn throughout the program including the Introducing Generative AI with AWS course, AI Programming with Python nanodegree, and AWS ML Fundamentals nanodegree. 

  Q: What is the time commitment of the program?

  Applicants typically need 1-2 weeks to complete the AWS DeepRacer Student prerequisites and prequalify for the scholarship. The self-paced AI Programming with Python Nanodegree takes 2-4 months, while the more advanced AWS ML Fundamentals Nanodegree takes 3-6 months. The optional Introducing Generative AI on AWS course is estimated at 4 weeks.
  

  Q: Are there any costs associated with applying to the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program, including completing the prerequisites?
  
  No, there are no costs to apply. Additionally, all aspects of AWS DeepRacer Student, the service used to complete the application requisites, is free for students to learn, train, and participate.

  Q: When are scholarship recipients selected?
  
  The AWS AI & ML Scholarship program works on a cohort-based approach. Each year, two cohorts of 1,000 students are selected. The applications for the first cohort in 2024 are due May 31, 2024 and the applications for the second cohort are due September 30, 2024.

• Program eligibility

  Q: Who can apply to the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program?
  
  Any student over the age of 16 that self identifies as underserved or underrepresented in technology, and is currently enrolled in high school or college, may apply (subject to terms and conditions on Udacity).

  Q: How do I prequalify for the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program?
  

  Prequalifying for the scholarship is based on two criteria completed on AWS DeepRacer Student:
  

  1. Review coursework and pass assessments. To qualify you must score 80% or better on all required assessments on AWS DeepRacer Student learning modules. Each assessment is based on different chapters you can find in the Learn section in the AWS DeepRacer Student navigation pane.
  2. Achieve a minimum single lap time. Each month from March to September, a new leaderboard is launched in the AWS DeepRacer Student League, featuring a new track design. To qualify for the scholarship, you will need to complete a single lap in less than 2 minutes on any single leaderboard.
     

  Q: If I prequalify for the AWS AI & ML Scholarship, do I automatically receive a Udacity Nanodegree scholarship?

  No. Students who prequalify for the AWS AI & ML Scholarship are given access to the application for the Udacity Nanodegree scholarship. Udacity determines which prequalified students are awarded Udacity Nanodegree scholarships.
  

  Q: How will I know if I have completed all of the prerequisites on AWS DeepRacer Student?
  

  By opting in to the AWS AI & ML Scholarship at AWS DeepRacer Student registration, students have their progress towards completing the prerequisites tracked automatically in the dashboard section of DeepRacer Student. When a student successfully completes all requirements, they will receive an automated email with a unique application code and instructions to finish their application on Udacity. At the close of each application period, selected recipients will receive an email from Udacity regarding their enrollment.

  Q: Am I required to provide proof of enrollment before being selected for the AWS AI & ML Scholarship?
  
  You may be asked to provide proof of enrollment (such as a college transcript) to receive the AWS AI & ML Scholarship.

• Scholarship selection

  Q: How are students selected for the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program?

  Students that successfully complete prerequisites within AWS DeepRacer Student and submit their application on the Udacity website by the submission deadline are considered for the scholarship. Udacity will use a combination of application data, including but not limited to prerequisite knowledge assessments, to determine 2,000 scholarship applicants annually.

  Q: How are the top 500 students selected for the advanced Udacity Nanodegree program with one-on-one mentoring?

  To determine the top 500 students, students will be evaluated based on the completion of coursework during the first nanodegree, including course assessments and module completion.
  

• Educators

  Q: Are educators eligible to use the AWS DeepRacer Student service?

  Yes, educators are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the free educational content and service on AWS DeepRacer Student. The learning content provided has been curated by AWS ML experts to help students get started with ML, and is a great addition and resource for any computer science and related course.

  Q: Are educators eligible to apply for the AWS AI & ML Scholarship?

  No, at this time the AWS AI & ML Scholarship program is only open to currently enrolled students at high school, secondary school, and higher education institutions. However, you are encouraged to share the opportunity with your students and help them take advantage of the scholarship opportunity.

  Q: Who can I contact to learn more about incorporating AWS DeepRacer Student into my curriculum?

  To connect regarding AWS DeepRacer Student opportunities, please complete this form and an AWS DeepRacer Student expert will contact you.