Student Members

APTA leads public transportation in a new mobility era, advocating to connect and build thriving communities.

Who is APTA:

• 1,450+ active members
• Top 50 Transit Agencies
• 25+ Countries Across the Globe
• 36,000+ diverse professionals
• Iconic Tech and Business companies
• Your advocate on Capitol Hill

Student membership is your gateway to success:

• A direct path to access industry resources
• Gain connections that count
• Find internships and your first professional jobs
• Accelerate your professional career with training
• A place to add your voice to the public transportation industry

You gain so much with your APTA Student Membership:

• Participate in industry committees and build connections that count. Searchable database of professionals. Priceless!
• Free webinars and subscription to Passenger Transport online magazine to stay current.
• Free student registration to APTA’s annual conference. (Value: $2,500)
• More than 3,000 + attendees at TRANSform
• Educational sessions, committee meetings, and technical tours
• Exhibit Hall Access – top tech and trends
• To purchase full registration w/meals, a discounted rate of $395 is available
• Registration is now open
  • Apply for a travel stipend to attend the 2025 APTA TRANSform Conference (The application deadline is June 6, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST)
  • APTA Student Travel Stipend FAQ
• Scholarships – our affiliated foundation, the American Public Transportation Foundation offers annual scholarships to college and graduate students.  The average scholarship is $5,000.

How Do I Activate My Membership?

• Join using our online registration form
• Set up an online profile and password to gain access
• Complete student membership application
• Upload your college eligibility information
• Pay online: $25/year – confirmation sent immediately

How Do I Remain Active?

Your student membership will renew each academic year on a cycle of July 1 through Jun 30 until you complete your degree program.  Plus, you may remain a student member for one year after graduation while you are seeking employment in the transportation industry.

How Can I Find Out More? Questions?

• Student Membership FAQs
• Lisa Lockman for general information as well as the Campus Ambassador and Scholarship programs.

Great news: APTA stands with you as you begin your career search. You may continue your APTA Student Membership for one-year after graduation while you seek employment leveraging the Career Center, APTAconnect, and other member benefits!

Once your Student Membership expires, you may transition to a Transit Agency or Business membership in the appropriate category once you are employed in the industry.  If your employer is an APTA member, you will be added to your employer’s member roster and continue to receive member benefits without any further financial commitment from you.

Find out if your employer is an APTA member here

Career Opportunities

Based on your interest area, expand your network with professionals to secure internships and jobs. Update your APTAconnect profile, and network on LinkedIn:

• APTA’s Career Center
• APTAconnect
• LinkedIn: American Public Transportation Association

Continue to Enjoy Career-Building Advantages

Apply to APTA’s highly regarded Emerging Leaders Program. This is specifically designed for individuals new to the public transportation industry. The intended audience for this program is individuals with 3-5 years of industry work experience, including 1-3 years of management, project, or program experience.

APTA is YOU!

Any individual who is actively enrolled in any degree program with an interest in public transportation, as a full-time or part-time student. This may include engineering, architecture, urban planning, business, communications, public policy, and more.

• A student that is a college freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student.
• You may also be enrolled in community college.
• Proof of eligibility can include one of the three following credentials: a college student I.D. that provides issuance date and/or expire date, a letter from your college program director, or a letter from the registrar.

How Long Does it Last?

For the duration of your studies, as many times as necessary while you are seeking a degree. Plus, for one year after graduation while you are seeking employment in the transportation industry.

What Does it Cost?

$25 annually, and the student membership is renewed by credit card each year on July 1st with notice to cancel anytime.

Student Member Resources

• Student Membership FAQs
• Student Member Tool Kit

Distinguish Yourself

• Stand out and build your professional brand with connections that count.

Networking

• Connect with the industry’s top leaders, and next generation of professionals near you, or across the globe.
• Attend the #1 transportation event in the world.
• Access more than 36,000 individuals in a searchable database.
• Leverage APTAconnect, our online exclusive members-only community.

Leadership

• Participate in career-building webinars and the APTA Annual Conference.
• Become involved as an APTA Campus Ambassador – launching January 2024
• Be active on more than 100+ APTA committees – select those most beneficial to you.
  NOTE: Student Members are non-voting members of APTA.

Scholarships

• American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF), our affiliated foundation offers annual scholarships to help pay for your education. Find out more at the APTF website.

Research

• APTA.com has the industry’s top research, full catalog of webinars, best practices, 300+ industry standards, and is the largest resource on the web for transportation information.