AMHERST — Ajmain Sharar, a recent Amherst Regional High School graduate, is earning a $40,000 scholarship from Amazon to pursue an engineering degree at the University of Michigan this fall.
The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship will provide Sharar up to $40,000 over four years. He is one of five Massachusetts students, and 200 across the country, to receive the honor, which will also provide an opportunity for a paid internship at Amazon after his first year of college to gain hands-on, practical work experience with mentorship from leaders at the company.
“As an aspiring engineer, I am passionate about innovating and creating technology that will make an impact on the world,” Sharar said in a statement. “I am honored to receive the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship, because it not only helps me finance my education but also provides me with an opportunity to change the world.”
Sharar anticipates that in summer 2027 he will be able to work with those employed at Amazon and bring his own perspective to a team.
Recipients were selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, work experience, future goals and financial need. Amazon partnered with Scholarship America to review applications and select this year’s recipients.
Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman said the school district is celebrating the achievement as a reflection of both Sharar’s hard work and the strength of educational opportunities.
“It is an honor that reflects not only his academic excellence, but also his perseverance, innovation and commitment to the future of technology,” Herman said.
JD Chesloff, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, said in a statement the Amazon program invests in the state’s competitive advantage and keeps the talent pipeline strong.
“Massachusetts has long been a national leader in talent development, particularly in technology and innovation,” Cheshoff said.
The Amazon Future Engineer aims to increase student access to computer science and engineering education by funding high-quality curriculum and educator professional development, in turn helping school districts build sustainable K-12 initiatives. In addition to its scholarship program, Amazon Future Engineer offers virtual class chats, career tours, and project-based learning modules that bring role models into classrooms.
Amazon launched the scholarship program in 2019, awarding more than $70 million to over 1,700 students from historically underserved communities across the United States. This year, Amazon committed up to $8 million in college tuition.
