student rail travel to college

Amtrak Offers 15% Student Discount on Routes Nationwide

WASHINGTON – Great deals are now available for students looking to get away during the summer, travel home, see friends, or return to campus. Amtrak can help students reconnect with friends, rediscover America and explore places off the beaten path with its new student discount. Students between the ages of 17 and 24 can receive 15% off travel throughout the national network. Available at amtrak.com/student-discounts , the offer is valid through December 30, 2021.

Parents can send their students on Amtrak with peace of mind knowing that Amtrak is a fun and safe way for students to travel. In fact, a number of cleaning, contact-free, and convenience measures have been implemented into every part of the customer journey, including:

• When searching for travel, customers will see the percentage of seats sold that adjusts next to each route as passengers make reservations. This will give customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded. If capacity exceeds comfort levels, customers can change their ticket without incurring a fee. There are also no middle seats, making the ride more relaxing and spacious.
• All trains are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every 4-5 minutes.
• Federal law requires all customers and employees to wear a mask at all times while onboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status or state or local laws. Refusing to wear a mask is a violation of federal law; passengers may be subject to penalties under federal law, denied boarding, removed from the train and banned from future travel in the event of noncompliance. For more information, visit:  amtrak.com/coronavirus .
• Customers should not travel when experiencing  COVID-19 symptoms  or when they meet public  health criteria for quarantine .

To apply this discount, visit amtrak.com/student-discounts or enter code V814 when booking a trip on the Amtrak app. Terms and conditions may apply.

Valid student identification must be presented upon request. This offer is valid for sale through December 30, 2021 and valid for travel between May 19 and December 31, 2021 on most trains. Reservations are required one day prior to travel. The discount may not be available on all trains on all days.

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About Amtrak®

For 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and transformed transportation by modernizing train travel, and building for the future. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the  Amtrak app . Learn more at  Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and LinkedIn .

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• Education and learning
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How to Get Amtrak's Student Discount

By Frommer's Staff

Last updated April 1, 2024

Amtrak's  student discount deal  gets travelers 15% off the price regular adult fare that has been booked at least one day in advance.

Getting the deal requires that you show the conductor a valid student I.D. on the train—make sure you have the original and not an image.

The student discount is accepted on Acela trains, but only for Coach or Acela Business tickets, not for higher classes or sleeping cars.

Amtrak won't allow the student discount to be used for the following services: the Lincoln Service and  Missouri River Runner , Hiawatha service between Chicago and Milwaukee Wolverine, the Blue Water between Chicago and Kalamazoo, the Pere Marquette between Chicago and Grand Rapids, the Illini, Saluki , or Illinois service between Chicago and Carbondale, the Illinois Zephyr  and Carl Sandburg between Chicago and Quincy, the Pacific Surfliner in Southern California, the San Joaquins between San Francisco and Southern California, the Capitol Corridor in California's Bay Area, the Keystone  and Pennsylvanian services between New York City and Pennsylvania, and the 7000-8999 thruway series. 

A few of those excluded services do offer multi-ride passes with student discounts . 

You have to book using Amtrak's website: www.amtrak.com/student-discounts , and sometimes the tickets allotment will sell out.

The tickets must be booked via Amtrak.com . (In the past, the mobile version did not offer the deal, so if you have trouble using the mobile site, try the desktop version.) If you're using the Amtrak app to purchase student discount tickets, you must use discount code V814.

If that code doesn't work to lower your rate (the Amtrak site can be as creaky as its carriages), consult the Promo Code page of the independent website RailServe , which lists different discount codes that might work instead.

The deal joins a few other good Amtrak railway discounts, including 10% off for people over 64 , and 10% off for military personnel and their families, 

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Valuable travel discounts and deals for college students and young adults

When my son turned 18, we suddenly had to rethink the way both he and we as a family traveled.

Quickly realizing that he needed his own paid Clear membership and TSA PreCheck number and that hotels no longer considered him a "kid" when we made a reservation, I envisioned a life of added dollar signs everywhere I looked.

Related: Child turning 18? Here's everything you need to know before the next time they travel

Luckily, I was wrong. Yes, young adults have added expenses (hello, car insurance premiums, and don't even get me started on exorbitant college tuition), but there are some hidden perks to being an 18-plus student, including rail deals and airline discounts.

With all of this top of mind, I couldn't help but wonder: Why do airlines, which are notorious for watching their bottom lines, want to give college kids a break?

"Loyalty matters greatly for airlines," said Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going . "Loyal customers help fill planes without spending marketing dollars while simultaneously feeding the revenue beast through cobranded credit cards [if they have one]. Gaining a loyal following takes time, so why not target people when they are young to help build that brand trust?"

Building loyalty plus saving money? Now that sounds like a win-win scenario to me.

You may be surprised to discover that a number of airlines, especially international carriers, provide perks to student travelers, including discounts and increased luggage allowances, which come in handy for study abroad programs.

The following are the discounts that were active and had the most availability at press time, but check with other carriers if you have foreign travel within other regions planned since there may be other deals available.

United Airlines

United is the only U.S. airline that offers a consistent year-round discount just for young adults. You don't need to be a student to take advantage of this rate, either. Young adult travelers between 18 and 23 are eligible for discounts that start at 5% but are sometimes much more than that depending on the route, according to TPGers' firsthand experiences.

Note that this discount is only available on the United app.

Book before March 31 for Emirates' special sale for students . This deal is especially flexible for both younger and older students, with an extensive age range between 16 and 31 years old. Travelers need to present a current student ID or school acceptance letter at check-in.

Emirates' deal extends to 250 destinations, including some in the U.S., if you book your flight by March 31 and use the promo code "STUDENT" at booking. This code applies a discount of up to 10% on economy- and business-class fares. You also get an additional 10 kilograms (22 pounds) more weight for luggage or one extra piece of baggage depending on the route, plus flexible options to change your flight.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore's Student Privileges program was one of the most extensive discount programs I've found, offering reduced fares to students around the globe after you've verified that you're an active student through its KrisFlyer student verification service. After student status has been verified, you'll receive a 10% discount for Lite, Value and Standard fares in economy and for premium economy fares.

Students also get an increased luggage allowance, with three pieces allowed from the U.S. and Canada and 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of luggage elsewhere. Plus, Singapore Airlines will waive any fees for the first booking change you make. (Know, though, that if you keep changing, the carrier will start charging.)

Scandinavian Airlines

SAS makes booking its youth tickets very simple. The discount for this one applies to anyone age 12 to 25, and you do not need to prove eligibility beyond providing your birthdate.

Note that this discount only promises "special rates" without a specific percentage given, and no special luggage allowance is available. Still, it's worth checking out since we're fans of the airline's flight deals for kids .

If you're planning on studying abroad, definitely bookmark this deal: Lufthansa offers student fares with proof of enrollment for bookings originating in the U.S.

Student fares are only available in economy to destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India. Not only is the airfare discounted, but you'll be able to check a second bag for free.

Reduced fares are clearly identified as "Student Fare" on the flight selection page. Passengers must be full-time students age 16 and above, enrolled in a higher educational institution with a valid student email address, and must have a valid form of identification.

If you're a student going to school in Europe, budget airline Ryanair has a deal for you. Register with the Erasmus Student Network (a nonprofit, international student union) and you'll be eligible to get a 10% discount on Ryanair's already affordable tickets, plus a free checked bag.

Note that fares must be booked at least 28 days in advance, and the deal is only eligible during the school term (from Sept. 1 to June 15).

Select rail companies also offer travel deals and discounts for college-age students.

Amtrak is generous with its definition of student, allowing anyone between the ages of 17 and 24 to take advantage of its national student discount , which provides a 15% discount on regular fares.

Since this is a promotion my family regularly tries to book when possible (my son goes to college in Washington, D.C., and I live in New Jersey), I'm well versed in some of the pros and cons of this deal.

According to Amtrak, "The discount will automatically be applied when qualifying travel is selected. Or, use the Amtrak app and enter code V814 when booking your trip." I suggest doing the latter to ensure the reduced fare is applied to your booking.

There are a number of restrictions, and there's definitely a limited number of seats on each train that are eligible, but when it works, the savings are worth the effort. Also note that the earlier you book, the less expensive tickets are, so you'll have a better chance of saving more money. Keep in mind, too, that this deal must be booked at least a day before travel.

TPG has been following the rollout of Florida's Brightline train with much enthusiasm. The new, modern train system links Miami to Orlando with stops in several South Florida locations; it's a game changer for Florida travel, especially for trips to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando .

Brightline has great rates for students on its current routes, including a 25% discount for students when you create an account with an active university email for most Florida colleges.

Exploring Europe by train is a rite of passage for students and young adults from around the world. One reason: It's an affordable and easy way to travel.

This is especially true with Eurail's Youth Discount , which reduces rail pass rates by up to 25%. You can use the youth pass discount if you're at least 12 years old but no older than 27.

Other deals for students

Student IDs unlock a world of discounts in the arts. Almost every museum I've visited around the globe has reduced or free admission for students who can prove their school affiliation or age. (Remember to always carry your student ID when you're traveling to take advantage of these deals.) Many Broadway theaters and performance venues elsewhere have student rush seats, too, making it possible to show up on the day of the show and spend some time in a line to score a steeply reduced ticket.

Unfortunately, you won't find deals on car rentals for young adults since the minimum rental age is usually 23. When there's a lower minimum age, like at Enterprise, you'll typically find an additional fee for younger drivers gets applied to the reservation.

Hotels are another area where student discounts are hard to find, but if you begin building your own brand loyalty by joining one or more rewards programs, you can eventually rack up enough nights, stays or points to qualify for elite status, which comes with all kinds of extra perks.

Bottom line

Being a young adult brings travel benefits in the form of discounts on airlines and trains. Students can almost always show their student IDs for reduced or waived admission to museums, too.

Related reading:

• Best all-inclusive resorts for teens for spring break trips, family vacations and more
• Enjoy free national park visits — here's how to save
• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
• Best travel credit cards
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• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

The Best Student Travel Discounts in 2021

Published by rachel bicha on april 23, 2021 april 23, 2021.

If you’re a student, you’re eligible for discounts on all kinds of things—food, clothes, laptops, textbooks, movie tickets and more. But did you know that you’re also eligible for student discounts on travel, too? Here’s some of the best ways to save on travel as a student. 

Amtrak 

Sure, trains may not be the fastest mode of transportation, but you can get a discount on select Amtrak routes with their student pass. If you want a scenic ride to and from school, or for spring break or just want a change of scenery for a weekend trip, these Amtrak student discounts will give you a bit off your next rail journey. 

Eurail Pass 

Heading to Europe soon? If you’re studying abroad, doing a long backpacking trip or just planning on seeing multiple countries during your trip, a Eurail pass can save you a ton on train travel between and within countries. A Eurail pass allows you to ride as many trains as you want for a set amount of days during a certain period of time—for example, 4 days of train travel within a month, or 10 days of travel within 2 months, etc. You can choose the pass that meets your needs, and save up to 25% off with Eurail student and youth discounts . 

StudentUniverse 

Of course, you can get student discounts on every flight you buy with StudentUniverse. If you’re between the ages of 18-26 or have a valid .edu email address, you can get discounts on flights back and forth from school, for study abroad or whenever and wherever you need to go with StudentUniverse’s travel discounts . Not seeing any discounts for the route you need? Check out available promo codes for even more savings. These discounts are for both domestic and international flights, too! 

Unidays 

Unidays is a great resource for everything student discount related in college! From food to clothes, tech to makeup, software to shoes and basically everything in between, Unidays has a roundup of all your favorite brands and exclusive student discounts you can get. This includes travel brands, group trips, travel gear, hotels and more. Just sign up for a free account with your .edu email address and start unlocking discounts. 

HostelWorld 

While HostelWorld doesn’t offer any specific student travel discounts, you can save hundreds of dollars on accommodations, making it easier to travel on a budget. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or Southeast Asia and need to stretch your budget out for months or just want a cheap place to stay while taking a weekend trip, HostelWorld will help you find all the best and cheapest hostels wherever you’re going. Plus, you can read tons of reviews from other travelers to avoid getting stuck in a hostel that doesn’t work for you. 

Contiki 

Contiki plans and operates group trips for travelers ages 18-35, so you can have the adventure of a lifetime with new friends, local guides and no planning! If you want to see the world without the stress of figuring out all the logistics, Contiki offers options for you. From short mini adventures that last just a few days to longer adventures lasting weeks, there’s something for everyone—and students can get discounts through services like Unidays or even directly through Contiki . 

Zipcar 

Need to rent a car, ASAP? Many universities around the US partner with Zipcar , a service that allows students to rent cars “on demand,” typically for much less than a traditional rental car and for shorter periods! Need a car for just a few hours to make a froyo run with your friends? Heading to the beach or going hiking for the afternoon? Rent the cars for just a few hours, or as long as you need. Anyone 18+ can use the service, and cars are typically kept on campus. Even better, gas and insurance are included—no extra fees! 

Your student ID card

Finally, if you have a student ID card, it’s good for more than just swiping into the cafeteria! Your ID card can snag you student discounts around the world . From museums to restaurants to tours and activities to clothes stores, train tickets, public transportation and more, it never hurts to ask if there’s a student discount available. Many places offer a discount if you can show a valid student ID! 

Ready to cure your wanderlust with some cheap flights ? Get student discounts on international and domestic flights and start planning your next trip! 

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How to Land Some Serious Student Travel Discounts

Take Advantage of Your Age and Score Tons of Student Travel Discounts

If you're between 12-26, the travel industry considers you a student traveler and that means you're eligible for student travel discounts. Travel companies from Rail Europe to Greyhound to YHA offer student discounts, so if you're planning on taking a trip, you'll likely find a way to save money. Discover which of the different options is best for you. 

Student Travel ID and Discount Cards

Several student travel ID cards, like ISIC , exist, and they can provide student travel discounts on everything from travel to books and movies. Flashing a student travel ID card at sightseeing sites around the world can often earn you a student travel discount, even if no student travel discounts are advertised. If you're going traveling, definitely pick up a student ID card before you go. Even if you have to pay $20 or so for the card, you'll easily make that money back over the space of a year. 

Student Airfares are Cheaper Than Cheap

Student airfares are generally available to student travelers under 26 who are enrolled in school. To sign up for them you'll typically have to sign up with an email address from a college.

Student airfares may give you huge discounts over regular airfares—studenf flights are usually cheaper than alternative flights on Skyscanner. Student airfares are also generally far more flexible than regular tickets. STA and Student Universe are two examples of student travel agencies offering true student airfares, and it is recommended that you look at both if you're planning on taking a trip. 

Train Discounts for Students

Eurail and Amtrak are among the many train companies offering student travel discounts. Rail Europe provides a straightforward way to find and buy European train passes on Eurail trains at a student travel discount. In the U.S., Amtrak offers some promotions for student travelers however, discounts are now regional rather than across the board. National trains, like the UK's train systems, may limit student travel discounts to locals (buy a UK Eurail pass instead).

Bus Discounts for Students

Student travelers can grab a 20 percent  discount on Greyhound , with a Student Advantage Card. Hop-on, hop-off bus services like Busabout, the European bus service, offer promotions but are really geared toward student travelers, to begin with, so are already affordable. Cheap buses , like Chinatown buses or Boltbus, may offer specials in the United State at times, but, again, are so affordable that you'll likely choose to travel with them anyway. Be sure to book Boltbus as soon as you know your travel dates, as the price only increases as you get closer to your travel date. 

Student Accommodation Discounts

Student accommodation discounts are hard to find, as hostels don't really offer discounts to travelers unless you'll be staying long-term (longer than a month.) Having said that, hostel discount cards do exist and promotions can be found in the off-season (i.e. winter in Europe). 

YHA and HI offer a discount card for travelers that entitles you to a small discount, and the Nomads Hostels discount card gives you $1 off each night you spend in one of their hostels -- not huge discounts, but could end up saving you money if you'll be traveling for a decent amount of time. For more information check out this list of hostel discount cards . 

If you're not a fan of hostel chains, you may want to stay in a hostel anyway. We've seen dorm beds offered for as little as 50 cents a night in Pakse, Laos to just $20 a night in Sydney, Australia, so there are always going to be affordable options for budget travelers. If you need to save money, dorm rooms are definitely the way to go. 

If you're looking to spend as little as possible on accommodations and don't fancy the idea of a hostel, there are several options for student travelers.

First, take a look at  Couchsurfing , which will be the most affordable accommodation option you have open to you: it's entirely free! Through couch surfing, you'll be able to spend the night on a local's couch, saving you money on accommodations and giving you a more authentic insight into the place where you're traveling. It really is a win-win situation. Make sure to check out your host's reviews before requesting to stay in a place, as you'll want to make sure you won't be putting yourself in an unsafe situation. 

Alternatively, if your cash is running low, but you prefer a little more comfort when you travel, housesitting could be the way to go. Housesitting is just what it sounds like: you get to watch someone's house (and likely their pets) while they're out of town, and in exchange, you get free accommodations. As a student, it might be tough to get on the housesitting lists, as owners do like to hire people with renting/owning a property experience, but if you can get great references, give it a go. 

Spring Break Deals

Spring break is a great time of year to take a trip if you're under 25, as plenty of companies will be offering student discounts for the month! Groupon usually has some great spring break deals for students, and STA Travel can always be relied on to help you save money. 

If you can't find a package that grabs you, you could create your own spring break deal using student airfares and affordable accommodation, like hostels. 

Be Aware of the Student Discount Label

Before you jump at a student discount, make sure to spend a few minutes doing your research to see how legitimate they truly are.

Some student discount packages are just normally priced deals that have been repackaged as a "student deal." In order to find out if you're grabbing a bargain or not, shop around on the price to see what else is out there. If you find a cheap student airfare, for example, head to a travel  aggregator , such as Skyscanner , to see if you're actually saving money or if you'd be better off just grabbing a flight with a budget airline. It always pays to to do some research over assuming you're going to be saving money. 

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The Best Student Travel Discounts and Where to Find Them

Nicole DiCenso

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

The words “broke” and “college student” practically go hand-in-hand. And if you’re a broke college student studying abroad (like me), your money challenges are likely to be even worse. How to cope? By taking advantage of the many discounts available to students both at home and overseas. Here are best student-only deals and student travel discounts on transportation, lodging, attractions, and getaways.

You can’t get anywhere without proper transportation, and flights can cost you an arm and a leg if you purchase them directly from the airlines or major OTAs (online travel agencies). Thankfully, there are websites like STA and Student Universe that offer discounted airfare just for students. Another great site to check out is Travel Cuts . This Canadian company helps you save on flights all over the world.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Two more great discounted flight websites are OneTravel and Student Flights , which both offer deals and discounts on domestic and international travel.

Maybe you don’t need to fly to get where you’re going. Your next best method of transportation would be the train. Especially in Europe, trains are one of the best ways to go from country to country in a quick and easy way. As a student, you can get up to 35 percent off train travel with Eurail. Another option in Europe is Rail Europe , which offers discounted rates on passes and tickets for select trains to students between the ages of 12 and 25.

If you’re traveling in the United States, Amtrak offers a Student Advantage Card that can save you up 50 percent on clothes, food, entertainment, books, and, of course, rail fare.

RELATED: Getting the Most Out of a Rail Journey

Automobiles

Two of the best bus travel companies offering deals for students are Megabus and Eurolines , both of which provide coach-class transportation for a fraction of the cost of other bus lines.

Perhaps you’re planning to hit as many countries as you can during the course of your stay abroad? Then Busabout is the purchase for you. Busabout is a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour bus that lets you ride as many times as you want for a one-time fee.

If you’d prefer to handle the traveling yourself, you should probably look into renting a car ( even if you’re under the age of 25 ). Just make sure you have the proper license to drive. You could also join a carpool through websites like Karzoo and Ride Finder .

Instead of paying insane amounts of money to stay in a hotel, why not spend a little less and stay at a hostel? Websites like Hostel World and Hostelling International list all of the best hostels all around the world and even offer memberships that would allow you to pay a little now to save a lot on each hostel later on.

If you’re looking for an even cheaper experience, sleep on someone’s couch for the night with the Couchsurfing.com . Of course, this section on lodging wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Airbnb . Stay in a shared or private room, or book the entire place for yourself, for usually less than what you would spend at a hotel.

RELATED: Will Airbnb Be the Death of Hostels?

Attractions

At Viator.com , you can find more than 100 sightseeing cards and passes that will save you a few dollars per each activity that the card holds. We Love Citycards has many of the same offers for cards in 21 different countries. Just feel like exploring the U.S? CityPass has discount cards for all of the major cities across the country.

Some tour companies offer weekend trips specifically geared toward students. Contiki offers hundreds of trips for anyone ages 18-35. WSA has plenty of guided weekend trips to choose from at far less than you’d pay with a standard travel agency.

If you want to travel with a group of other students, EF College Break has a handful of educational tours with plenty of free time to allow you to do your own thing, too.

Students Discount Cards

If you’re looking for discounts on everything from clothes to food to entertainment, consider purchasing a student discount card. Some of the top providers are International Student Identity Card (ISIC) , National Union of Students (NUS) Extra , International Student (ISE) , and International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) . Each of these cards costs less than $25 to purchase and offers discounts and benefits at more than 125,000 locations.

More from SmarterTravel

• 10 Hostels Too Upscale to Believe
• 10 Authentic Ways to Travel Like a Local
• 10 Tips for Women Traveling Alone

Nicole DiCenso is currently studying abroad in London, England. She loves to travel and document her journeys, so follow along on Instagram @GirlLostAbroad .

Last Updated: September 14, 2015

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Student Adventure Pass

introducing the new student adventure pass

You have a lot to juggle, and getting to school shouldn't be one of your worries. That's why Metrolink is here to make your life easier with FREE rides for students. The Student Adventure Pass makes it easier to connect to opportunities and experiences throughout SoCal, by train. Oh yeah, and it's free.

The Student Adventure Pass is a grant-funded pilot program that enables students in Southern California to ride Metrolink for free. The Student Adventure Pass will be available until June 30, 2024 or until grant-funding is exhausted.

Stay Mobile with your student adventure pass

Getting your mobile Student Adventure Pass is as easy as 1-2-3!

• Download the Metrolink mobile app.
• Register  an account  using your school email.
• Verify your account via the confirmation email (check your spam folder) and you'll receive your Student Adventure Pass directly to your mobile to your mobile app wallet.

Grab your phone and valid student ID and you're good to go! Where are you headed? Take the train to school, work, or adventures. With the Student Adventure Pass your ride is on us. Get on board.

how to ride

Did You Know?

• Metrolink connects six counties in Southern California—making it easier for students to take a study break and explore.
• All Metrolink student tickets and passes include FREE transfers on most connecting transit.
• You can earn points for the miles you travel that can be redeemed for FREE tickets when you sign up for SoCal Explorer.
• Our Personal Impact Calculator shows you how much you can save by taking the train and by doing so, how you significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
• Taking the train is easy when you know How-to-Ride.

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The Student Adventure Pass is a grant-funded pilot program that enables students in Southern California to ride Metrolink for free. K-12, technical school, colleges, and university students are eligible.

Students MUST show ID upon inspection.

The Student Adventure Pass will be available until June 30, 2024 or until grant-funding is exhausted.

Students of any age are eligible with a valid Student ID. Students are still required to have a valid mobile or paper ticket at all times.

No, the Student Adventure Pass is available to students of any age with a valid Student ID.

Students can get their Student Adventure Pass on the Metrolink mobile app. Students must present a valid ticket and student ID when riding the train.

Simply download the app, register using your school email address, and verify your account via the confirmation email. You may need to check your spam folder. The Student Adventure Pass will appear in your mobile ticket wallet within 24-hours. Activate your Student Adventure Pass prior to boarding the train.

On ticket machines, students can access a paper ticket using the  Student/Youth  ticket type and selecting the Round-trip ticket. A Round-trip ticket is the only paper ticket option available at this time.

Yes. The Student Adventure Pass is available to current students with a valid Student ID. Simply download the app, register using your school email address, and verify your account via the confirmation email. You may need to check your spam folder. The Student Adventure Pass will appear in your mobile ticket wallet within 24-hours. Activate your Student Adventure Pass prior to boarding the train.

Yes, a valid Student ID must be presented to the fare inspector upon request.

The Student Adventure Pass is available on the Metrolink mobile app and ticket machines.

On the Metrolink mobile app, verified student accounts will receive a Student Adventure Pass in the mobile ticket wallet. The mobile Student Adventure Pass will function as a system-wide Day Pass and will need to be activated daily when boarding the train.

For paper tickets, the Student Adventure Pass is only available when Student/Youth is selected as a rider type and for Round-trip tickets only.

The Student Adventure Pass is not valid for special train services.

Absolutely. You’re welcome to take Metrolink to explore Southern California whenever you need a break from studying.

No, the Student Adventure Pass is only available for current students with a valid Student ID.

No, there is no class credit minimum to take advantage of the Student Adventure Pass.

No, your school does not need to be in California to take advantage of the Student Adventure Pass. We welcome out-of-state students to take the train when they are in Southern California, as long as you present a valid Student ID.

Yes, as long as you are a current student with a valid Student ID, you are eligible for the Student Adventure Pass.

First, be sure to verify your Metrolink mobile app account via email. If you did not receive the verification email or do not see the Student Adventure Pass in your mobile ticket wallet within 24-hours, please contact us.

All passengers are required to have a ticket.

Yes, your Student Adventure Pass enables you to travel on Amtrak Codeshare trains on the Ventura County Line. Codeshare Program | Metrolink (metrolinktrains.com)

No. The Student Adventure Pass does not apply to the LAX FlyAway.

Yes. The Student Adventure Pass includes free transfers on most connecting  transit. Please see our Connections Page to see all the free transfers that are included with every Metrolink ticket. Transit Connections | Metrolink (metrolinktrains.com)

The Student Adventure Pass is eligible for Rail2Rail travel between L.A. Union Station and the Burbank Airport-South station. Learn more about the Rail 2 Rail® program here: Rail 2 Rail® Program

Yes. Please follow the student/group travel policy, so we can plan ahead with our operations and safety teams for your group. Students will ride for free. Group Travel

No, the Student Adventure Pass is not valid with special train services like the Insomniac trains. 

No. The Student Adventure Pass can only be used to print the Youth/Student rider type for a Round-trip ticket on Metrolink ticket machines.

The only ticket type that can be printed for free with the Student Adventure Pass is the Round-trip ticket on Metrolink ticket machines.

The Student Adventure Pass is a grant-funded program. In order to prevent fraud and extend the life of the program for all students, the Round-trip ticket will be the only available option on ticket machines moving forward. As an alternative, students can use the Metrolink App to access the Student Adventure Pass at any time in their mobile ticket wallet when they create a verified student account, offering fast and convenient ticketing similar to a Monthly Pass.

Students must provide a valid student ID at all times when using the Student Adventure Pass.

The Student Adventure Pass is a grant-funded pilot program that enables students in Southern California to ride Metrolink for free. 

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Save up to 25% on rail travel in Europe!

Are you 27 or younger? Great news! You can order a Eurail Youth Pass, which gives you a discount of up to 25% on standard adult prices. Whether you're a student, a backpacker, or just want to see as much of Europe as possible, a Eurail Youth Pass is THE way to get around – all by rail.

Discounted prices for travelers aged 27 or younger

You'll find the discounted prices in the Youth tab of our Eurail Pass price tables. If you're 28 or older on the first day you choose to start your trip, you'll need to travel with an Adult Pass. 

The youth discounts are available for  both 1st and 2nd class . If you have a 1st class Eurail Pass, you can choose to sit in 1st or 2nd class. You can choose the  Eurail Global Pass  or one of the  Eurail One Country Passes . 

Who can use a Youth Pass?

You can use a Youth Pass if you're 12 to 27 or younger on the date you choose to start your trip. 

After you purchase your Youth Pass you have up to 11 months to start traveling. If you purchase your Pass when you're already 27 years of age, you need to start your trip before you turn 28 (your Youth Pass will not activate if you've already turned 28). If you cannot start your trip before you turn 28, you have to purchase an Adult Pass.

Children must be 11 or younger on the date you choose to start your trip to travel  for free with a  Eurail Child Pass !

Planning a family getaway? Make use of our other discounts!

Family discount.

Travelers aged 11 or younger on the date you choose to start your trip can travel for free with a family discount.

Senior discount

Travelers 60 and over on the date you choose to start your trip get a 10% senior discount on all Eurail Passes.

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Student Connect

Are you 16-17 and studying full time in Cambridgeshire? You could get a free Student Connect card to help you pay for your train tickets.

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Cambridgeshire student connect card.

If you’re 16-17 and travel on Great Northern to your school or college, you could get a free card to help with train costs.

If your school or college is in Cambridgeshire you can apply for the Cambridgeshire Student Connect card. View the route map .

Apply for a card

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Information about Student Connect

• Abbey College, Ramsey
• Bedford College
• Cambridge Regional College
• College of West Anglia, Kings Lynn, Milton, Wisbeach and ISLE Campuses
• Ely College, Ely
• Ernulf Academy, St Neots
• Hills Road Sixth Form College
• Hinchingbrook, Huntingdon
• Huntingdon Regional College - Huntingdon/St Neots/ Godmanchester
• Impington VC
• Kings School, Peterborough
• Long Road Sixth Form College
• Longsands Community College, St Neots
• Neal Wade, March
• Netherhall School, Cambridge
• Newmarket College
• Orton Longville, Peterborough
• Parkside Community College/ Coleridge, Cambridge
• Peterborough Regional College
• Sawtry Community College, Sawtry
• St Ivo, St Ives
• St John Fisher, Peterborough
• St Mary’s School, Cambridge
• St Peters, Huntingdon
• The Stephen Perse Foundation
• University Technical College, Cambridge

1. Your Student Connect Card is not a permit to travel; you’ll still need to buy a ticket. 2. Your card lets you buy reduced rate season tickets for your journey to school, specified on the Student Connect Card, from between one month and a year. 3. Your card isn’t valid on LNER services. 4. You must buy tickets for your journey before getting on the train. When you buy your ticket you must show your Student Connect Card. You must have the card with you throughout your journey. 5. You must be between 16 and 17 years old and in full time education. If you turn 18 during the a cademic year, then you can continue to use the card to buy discounted season tickets until the end of that academic year. 6. Tickets bought with your Student Connect Card must expire before or on the expiry date of the card. 7. Your Student Connect Card, and any ticket bought with the card, is not transferable and can’t be given or lent to anyone else. 8. You must have your Student Connect Card and tickets ready to present for inspection when asked. If you don’t have both a valid card and ticket with you, you’ll have to pay the appropriate fare and penalty fare for your journey. 9. The Student Connect Card isn’t your property and if asked you must return it to us. 10. The card is not valid if it’s damaged, but you can order up to two replacement cards in a calendar year. Replace a Student Connect Card Replace a Cambridgeshire Student Connect card You’ll have to pay an administration charge of £10.  11. You can’t use your Student Connect Card to buy tickets for, or travel in, First Class. 12. The card is subject to the National Rail Conditions of Travel. 13. Great Northern reserves the right to contact your school to check your age and that you’re a member of the school. 14. We have the right to amend or withdraw this offer giving three months’ notice. 16. Goldcards are not issued for season tickets bought with Student Connect cards

Frequently asked questions

Simply fill out the Cambridgeshire Student Connect application form .

Student Connect Cambridgeshire season tickets are available online or at your local station.

You’ll have to fill out another form and pay £10 for a replacement:

Cambridgeshire Student Connect replacement form

If someone steals your card, give us the crime reference number when you ask for the new one.

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I'm a high school senior who commutes an hour by train to school every day. It's helped prepare me for the real world.

• Four years ago, I started commuting to my high school — which is an hour away — by train. 
• Sometimes the commute got difficult, especially when trains were delayed or canceled. 
• But I learned how to be independent; I'm taking this real-life experience with me to college.

I hadn't thought about how cushy life was in grade school when my father drove me 10 minutes to school every morning.

But that ended when I started high school at The Hudson School, which is 25 miles away from my home in Madison, New Jersey.

Unlike the schools around me, The Hudson School offers an urban campus and an extremely small class size — only 26 people in my grade. When I learned it also offers courses not found in a traditional high school curriculum, such as Ancient Greek and military history, I knew it was right for me.

But with it being so far from my home, I have to travel every day to and from school via New Jersey Transit . It takes me a little under an hour to get to school and up to 75 minutes to get home.

Now that I'm a high school senior , I look back fondly on my four-year commute. I learned a lot on those trains — but not all of it was great.

When I first started commuting to school, it was nerve-racking

I thought I knew what I was getting myself into on that first day of freshman year — but after waking up at 6 a.m. and planning to make a 6:45 train, I realized that I would have to make some changes. I started to adjust my routine: I packed my backpack the night before so it was ready to go in the morning, and I ate my breakfast on the train.

Right off the bat, my parents were concerned about me getting on and getting off the train in the dark — not to mention the discomfort of being surrounded by strangers every time I rode the train because this was the fall of 2020, and COVID was still very much a concern.

Related stories

Meanwhile, I realized I was on my own for the first time. I had to make sure to have my tickets ready and deal with difficult conductors. In the beginning, I was nervous.

But I quickly got into the swing of things that first year and learned to enjoy my commute . Four years later, those commute jitters are long gone.

I learned real-life experiences from a young age

It didn't take long before I developed a routine and became familiar with the ins and outs of navigating trains , and I found that I could even sit with some friends from school who also commuted.

At first, I felt I was wasting valuable time just sitting on the train, so I soon started using my time productively by completing my homework . Because of this, I have learned to work in almost any environment.

I also learned a whole new set of skills. I have to ensure I have my tickets ready every morning and that I am on the right track for my train — little things that I hadn't really had to worry about before.

Additionally, I had to think on my feet and learned how to handle the unexpected. I know which stations offer transfers, so if I missed my connection, I knew where I can catch a different train. I also have learned to read a timetable, which came in handy when I was in Europe last summer .

But commuting every day isn't always easy

Commuting did take a toll on my social life . Some of my classmates didn't live so far from the school, so they didn't have to worry about a long commute. They were able to stay in Hoboken and hang out. Whenever I joined them, I had to keep the train schedules in my mind. The longer I hung out, the later I would get home, cutting into my homework and study time.

Commuting by train also means inherent mechanical issues. There have been days when it has taken me hours to get to school. It can get exhausting and draining; there are some days when I wish I could just get home as quickly as my peers who live in Hoboken and not have to deal with mass transit .

Plus, there have been times when I needed to get to school on time — for a big project or test — and then my train would suddenly get canceled or experience a delay. On those days, I struggled the most and had to get creative. Sometimes, I had to rent a bike to finish the commute. Other times, I had to get to another station to catch a faster train.

I imagined how much easier it would be if I were a regular high school student who took the bus to school.

Still, I'm glad I got to commute 25 miles every day before heading off to college

Looking back at the past four years, I realize commuting has helped prepare me for the real world — outside high school.

Now that I am about to head off to college, I feel that these experiences have helped me learn lessons about time management and problem-solving that I might otherwise not have learned.

It may have been a struggle at times, but I know that it was all worth it for the education I got in the end.

Watch: The true cost of turning America's school buses electric

• Main content

32 Questions to Ask on a College Visit

Students should feel free to ask questions during an information session or on tour.

Questions to Ask on a College Visit

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Prospective students should conduct at least basic research to facilitate questions to ask during the information session or on tour, experts say.

Key Takeaways

• Before a campus visit, students should do basic research on the school.
• Students and their families have various opportunities to ask questions.
• No question is dumb.

College visits, whether in person or virtual, can help give prospective students a better feel of campus life.

Contrary to popular belief, however, students don’t need to have that “a-ha” moment when they eventually find the campus where they belong, says Thyra Briggs, vice president for admission and financial aid at Harvey Mudd College in California.

“I just don't think that happens for most students,” she says. “I don't want students to walk away from a visit where that didn't happen thinking, ‘Oh, this is not the place for me.’ This is a long-term relationship. It's not necessarily love at first sight. … In this age of instant gratification, I think it's an important thing to give a school a chance to affect you in a different way.”

For an in-person visit, families should prepare ahead of time by checking the weather and dressing comfortably as tours are mostly held outside.

"Leave plenty of time at an individual campus and allow yourself to enjoy the experience, be present in the moment and (don't) feel rushed because that could also skew your perception of things," says Bryan Gross, vice president for enrollment management at Hartwick College in New York.

It’s also important, experts say, to conduct at least basic research on the institution – even if it’s just looking at their social media accounts – to help facilitate questions to ask during the information session or on tour.

"We know that for some of you, this may be the first time you are going through this," Briggs says. "For others, it's a different student (going through the process) than the student you had who's older. So there’s no bad questions. ... I would hope that any college would welcome any question a student would ask.”

Here are 32 example questions, collected from college admissions and enrollment professions, that students don't always think to ask on college visits. These questions – edited for length or clarity – were provided by Briggs, Gross and Brian Lindeman, assistant vice president of admissions and financial aid at Macalester College  in Minnesota.

Questions About Admissions

• Does this school consider demonstrated interest?
• Is there an opportunity for prospective students to sit in on a class to experience a real lecture?
• Are there options to receive a lunch or dinner pass at the dining hall to try the food?

Questions About Academics

• Where do students typically study?
• How does advising work?
• What are the academic strengths of this school?
• What opportunities are there for study abroad and exchange programs?
• If available, are these global programs directly run by this school – where faculty members travel with students – or are these study abroad programs outsourced to a third-party company?
• Are these study abroad experiences built into the tuition or are there additional fees to participate?

Questions About Financial Aid

• What is this school's average financial aid package?
• What is the average net cost when students enroll?
• What is the current level of funding with endowed scholarships – how much are donors contributing to scholarships?
• Do you offer merit aid ? If so, what are you looking for in a candidate?

Questions About Campus Housing and Community

• What are the housing options?
• What are the fee structures for these different options?
• Are students required to live on campus ?
• How does your campus define diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging?

Questions to Ask Your Tour Guide to Gauge Campus Life

• What surprised you about this school? What's something you didn't expect?
• What keeps you coming back to this school each year?
• Have we seen your favorite place on campus?
• What event on campus gets the biggest turnout every year?
• If you were struggling with an issue, would you know who to turn to? Who would that be?

Questions About Work and Research Opportunities

• What are the opportunities for undergraduate research on campus?
• How do those research opportunities give students valuable hands-on experiences that enhance their resumes?
• What are some specific ways this school helps students gain hands-on experience through internships ?

Questions About Student and Career Outcomes

• What is the retention rate from freshman to sophomore year?
• What is the five-year graduation rate?
• What is the job-attainment rate of graduates within six months of graduating?
• What percent of students are going on to graduate school ?
• What percent of students are intentionally taking time off post-graduation compared to those who are not able to find jobs?
• What size is the alumni network?
• How are alumni actively engaging with recent graduates to help connect them specifically to opportunities in their fields?

Searching for a college? Get our  complete rankings  of Best Colleges.

Unique College Campus Visits

Tags: colleges , education , campus life , college applications , students

Ask an Alum: Making the Most Out of College

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Travel to College – Industrial Action Will Affect Rail Services (6-11 May 2024)  

Another round of industrial action has been called by the aslef union, which will affect a number of local rail services, including southern and gatwick express, in may. .

Strike action will be taking place on these services on Tuesday 7 May, which means there will be few or no train services on this day. The days surrounding strike action are also likely to impacted.    An overtime ban is also in place on services from Monday 6 May (a Bank Holiday) until Saturday 11 May, which will see an amended timetable in place.     Unfortunately, this means students and staff who use the rail network will once again experience disrupted and cancelled services throughout the week – including on non-strike days.     The college will be open and operating as usual during this time. If you are due to be in college, we would ask that you try to make alternative arrangements to attend.     If you are unable to get to college on these days due to the industrial action on the rail services, please make sure you speak to your course tutor and pastoral support tutor ahead of the planned strike action to make alternative arrangements.    Exam Information   Some students may be due to sit exams or assessments this week.    You are still expected to attend and we do recommend allowing extra time for your journeys. If you have any concerns or specific challenges for your travel to college for exams or assessments, please contact the college as soon as possible.     Travel information For more information, visit Southern Railway’s website:   https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/industrial-action      For live running times, visit  www.nationalrail.co.uk     Please be aware this situation is ever-changing, and we recommend checking the above sites regularly for updates.  

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• All aboard: Amtrak debuts second train from St. Paul to Chicago on May 21

Long-awaited expanded train service on Amtrak between St. Paul's Union Depot and downtown Chicago is slated to begin May 21.

It's the first time in 45 years there will be twice-daily service from the Twin Cities to the Windy City. The newly christened Borealis service will feature midday daily departures from St. Paul arriving at Chicago's Union station about 7.5 hours later. Trains will leave Chicago's Union Station mid-morning en route to St. Paul.

The Borealis will follow the same route as the long-distance Empire Builder, which connects Chicago with Seattle or Portland, Ore., through St. Paul.

Stops in Minnesota include Red Wing and Winona, as well as service to the Wisconsin Dells, Milwaukee and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

The Borealis' coach fares begin at $41 one way between St. Paul and Chicago, slightly cheaper than airfares currently listed on Google Flights. Business class on the Borealis is $98 one way. Discounts are available for children ages 2 to 12, who can travel for half off, with restrictions, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and their families, and groups.

"A second daily passenger rail service connecting St. Paul to Chicago via Milwaukee is a welcome addition to our transportation system, providing more choices and travel flexibility for passengers," said Nancy Daubenberger, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), in a news release.

The Borealis service will reach maximum speeds of 79 mph, and Amtrak expects about 232,000 people will use the service in its first year.

Eastbound Empire Builder trips are often delayed largely because Amtrak trains operate on freight railroad tracks. While passenger rail trains are supposed to have priority , that doesn't always happen. In 2023, Empire Builder trains arrived on time about half of the time, according to Amtrak. With eastbound train service originating in St. Paul, rail advocates say it's less likely there will be serious delays heading to Chicago.

The upgrade cost at least $53 million, with costs shared between Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Amtrak and the federal government. Some of the money was used to upgrade freight track between St. Paul and Chicago. The Winona station's tracks, grade crossings, and signals were improved, as well. What it will cost to operate the line was not available Wednesday.

Rail advocates have pushed for at least a decade to enhance train service between the Twin Cities and Chicago, but the effort at times has been slowed by opposition coming from Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

"This makes a real difference for college students, families with kids, and elderly people who really need a transportation option rather than driving and flying," said Brian Nelson, president of the rail advocacy group All Aboard Minnesota.

The train works "for people who want room, comfort and luggage allowment, plus the ability to work, read a book and just relax and ride along the beautiful Mississippi River," he said.

More expansion of passenger rail may be in store in Minnesota. The proposed Northern Lights Express service between the Twin Cities and Duluth is being studied . And last year, the legislature directed MnDOT to study transit needs, including rail, along the Twin Cities-Saint Cloud-Fargo/Moorhead corridor. The study is due next February.

Transportation reporter Janet Moore covers trains, planes, automobiles, buses, bikes and pedestrians. Moore has been with the Star Tribune for 21 years, previously covering business news, including the retail, medical device and commercial real estate industries. 

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Penn College Baja SAE team poised for success

Published 05.01.2024

Throughout its 19-year history, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s team has crisscrossed the country to compete at Baja SAE. This year, they only must travel a dozen miles from campus to test their skills, a reality that should aid last-minute preparations for the international event.

Penn College is hosting Baja SAE for the first time, May 16-19, at its Heavy Equipment Operations Site in Brady Township. More than 100 teams, representing colleges and universities from 34 states, Canada and Brazil, will converge for Baja SAE Williamsport . The competition requires teams to design, manufacture and build a single-seat, all-terrain car to survive various challenges.

Four of those tests – acceleration, hill climb, maneuverability, and suspension and traction – are scheduled for May 18. The following day features the marquee event: a four-hour endurance race over a rugged 1.1-mile course. (The first two days consist of technical inspections and presentations.)

Despite hosting, the Penn College Baja team can’t study the competition site or course layout prior to the event, as that would be an unfair edge. However, they plan to use the extra time afforded by minimal travel to their advantage.

“There have been some years that we just literally finished the car as we wheeled it into our trailer to drive over 1,000 miles for the competition,” said John G. Upcraft, instructor of manufacturing and machining and the team’s faculty adviser. “That has really limited our time for testing and tuning and fixing any last-minute problems.” 

“We’d be working and see that we have some problems and be like, ‘OK, we’ll solve it on the road because we needed to leave four hours ago.’ Now, we’ll have the time to fix anything and drive 15 minutes down the road. I’ll take 15 minutes over 15 hours any day of the week!” said team captain Marshall W. Fowler, of Sellersville, an engineering design technology student.

Despite the usual time crunch, Penn College has excelled at Baja SAE. The team has registered 14 top-10 finishes in the endurance race since 2011, including two wins in 2022, the last year two-wheel-drive cars were permitted at the competition.

For Baja SAE Williamsport, the Penn College team is updating its four-wheel-drive system, implemented in 2023. That extensive work includes a new frame, front suspension and continuously variable transmission engagement system.

The students design and manufacture about 95% of the car’s parts.

“Last year, we shoved a four-wheel-drive system into a two-wheel-drive frame. Everything was tight,” Fowler explained. “We’ve changed some of the geometry of the frame to allow for better driver clearances and passages of the four-wheel-drive system through the actual car.”

Engineering design technology student Casey B. Campbell, of Kennerdell, developed the new engagement system with key parts made by Brian P. Rogers, of Kunkletown, majoring in automated manufacturing technology.

For competitive reasons, the team can’t reveal much about the engagement system, except to describe it as “smoother and more reliable.” But they can discuss the benefits of the experience.

“When I see my parts that I designed working on the car, it makes all the hassle worth it,” Campbell said.

“The parts I’m making here for Baja are way more complex than what I’m doing in the classroom,” Rogers said. “It’s cool to see my hard work is actually paying off in the end.”

“Baja takes the theoretical and puts it into a real, hands-on application before we get out into industry,” Fowler added. “When future employers start asking questions, we already have tangible products that we can give them. It really gives us a step up when it comes to employment.”

Fowler designed the new front suspension as part of his senior capstone project. “We took what we had last year and saw what worked and what didn’t work. Then we shrunk a lot of things, changed some materials and reduced around 50% of the weight from last year’s front suspension,” he said.

The students have put the entire car on a diet, reducing its weight from 394 pounds to about 360 pounds.

“Dropping that weight will make our car faster, and we had a fast car to begin with,” Upcraft said. “I’m confident that we will have one of the faster cars at the competition.”

Winning the endurance race requires not only a fast car but also a sturdy one. Traditionally, the endurance course breaks cars. For example, at Baja SAE Ohio in September, only about 20% of the cars completed at least 40 laps. Penn College was one of the few teams to do so, finishing ninth. Thirteen cars didn’t complete 10 laps.

“If we don’t break anything, I expect us to be at least in the top five, hopefully number one,” Campbell said, regarding Baja SAE Williamsport.

“Hopefully, we can put it all together for this home race and bring home another victory,” Fowler said. “That would be really awesome.”

Failure to reach that goal would not be from lack of effort. Team members have spent countless hours throughout the academic year and school breaks researching, designing and manufacturing the best car possible. 

These guys are super, super dedicated. They’re putting in weekends and late nights. All of our lives have been dedicated to this.

Marshall W. Fowler

team captain & engineering design technology student

“I think this month (April), I made it home before midnight four or five times. It takes a lot,” Campbell stressed. “But it’s our choice to be here. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. We come here on Saturday and Sunday because we want to, not because we have to.”

“These guys are super, super dedicated,” Fowler said. “They’re putting in weekends and late nights. All of our lives have been dedicated to this. We couldn’t do this if everyone wasn’t pushing as hard as they are.”

And this year, they’ll have a little extra time to push.

Penn College Baja SAE team sponsors are: Advanced Composites, Alpinestars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Brentwood Industries Inc., Chartwell Hotels LLC, Chesapeake Energy, CK Worldwide, Davie Jane Gilmour, Designatronics Inc., E-Tech Industrial Corp., Encina, Evergreen Wealth Solutions, Fulton Bank, Gene Haas Foundation, Hardinge Inc., Harold Beck & Sons Inc., Holiday Inn-Downtown Williamsport, ISC Racers Tape, Jersey Shore State Bank, John and Linda Confer, Ken and Kristie Healy Foundation, Kristopher and Becky Shaner, Lycoming Engines, Pace-O-Matic Inc., Pneu-Dart Inc., Ralph Alberts Co. Inc., Sandvik, Shannon Massey, The Kiessling Group of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, The Charles W. Oldt Family, Quality Machine Inc., TMS Titanium, Tyler J. Bandle, Vampire Tear-Offs, Wilwood Engineering Inc., YG1, and 3Dconnexion.

For more information on Baja SAE Williamsport, visit the event site .

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222 for more information.  

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Meet the College Students Spending Their Semester on the Appalachian Trail

For a handful of lucky students in Emory and Henry College’s Semester-a-Trail program, the AT is the ultimate teacher

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Every season, a handful of college students set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail , whether as a gap-year adventure, a challenge over summer break, or a post-graduation breather before settling into the “real world.” For a small group of students from Emory and Henry College in Virginia, however, hiking the AT isn’t a break: It’s their spring semester.

Since 2006, the college’s Semester-a-Trail program has given students an opportunity to earn course credit while completing a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. In the months leading up to their departure, enrolled students—there are currently 3—take a full courseload including classes on nature writing and long-distance hiking. Then, they hit the trail with the school offering them support along the way. These students’ tuition covers a set of brand-new backpacking equipment, first-aid and skills training, and on-trail support from the college’s staff. Student hikers also receive a budget for on-trail expenses.

This year, Backpacker is partnering with the Semester-a-Trail program to highlight these students’ adventures and feature a selection of their writing. Read on to meet the students having the semester of most backpackers’ dreams.

Sam “Whistlin Blue” Mikkelson

Highlight of the trail so far: When I got to Hot Springs, North Carolina, I was hungry, sun-tired and alone. While I was standing in the outfitter store, a group of hikers I had met came up and said they had an AirBnB and were just going to get some food. I should come along, they said, because they were throwing a party. In minutes, I went from being alone to having a whole group of friends around me.

Toughest moment: After climbing up the mountain coming out of Walker Gap in Virginia, I sat down to take a break and eat some granola bars. After getting back up and walking for 3 miles, I ran into my friend Footloose, who I knew was behind me, and realized I’d been backtracking south for the past 3 miles. That was the longest 15-mile day I’d ever done.

Most interesting meal: My favorite trail meal is a tortilla wrap layered with hot buffalo tuna, peanut butter, honey, chipotle sauce, and hot Cheetos. Everyone I meet says it looks disgusting, but they haven’t tried it. Yet.

What’s something that you’ve learned? I’ve learned to live in the moment and not look ahead or make assumptions about what is coming. It’s best to take everything one step at a time.

Collin “Footloose” Coerr

Highlight of the trail so far: Staying at Fontana Dam shelter and watching the sunset over Fontana Lake and the Smokies. I relaxed on the deck reading and enjoying the view for several hours that day.

Toughest moment: Hiking up to Buzzard Rock, about mile 490, in a driving rainstorm. I was soaked and freezing cold, and that climb NOBO is not easy on a good day.

Most interesting meal: I’ve been crafting some exciting new ways to get protein. My favorite is a wrap made of fajita tortilla, a chicken and herb packet, honey, and Dollar General chicken sauce.

What’s something you’ve learned? Wake up early, and hike until dark. With longer days coming this gives me upwards of 14 hours of hiking time every day, with plenty of time for rest along the way.

A.J. “Green” O’Kleasky

Highlight of the trail so far: The magical enchanted forest at the top of Unaka Mountain during the onset of spring.

Toughest moments: Injuring my foot, hiking in pain, and having to come off trail; setting up camp when it’s cold, rainy, and windy.

Most interesting meal: Wrap with Oreo Cakesters, honey, and peanut butter.

What’s something that you’ve learned? I’ve learned what’s truly important to me in my life—meaningful relationships and the power of gratitude.

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WLWT: UC students experience realities of life in prison as part of a college course

Uc faculty and students featured on local news for 'inside- out prison exchange program'.

In a featured story on WLWT, Channel 5 reporter Lindsay Stone interviewed J.Z. Bennett, an assistant professor of criminal justice, and UC students taking his Topics in Corrections class where students spend one day a week at a local prison to study along with incarcerated individuals there. 

“Once we kind of move past the uniforms and the security and we're all sitting at that table, we realize that we're all on an equal playing field,” Bennett tells Stone of taking students to the Lebanon Correctional Institution in Lebanon, Ohio, to learn about incarceration first- hand.  

WLWT came to UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) to learn more about the “Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program” that Bennett leads, where eight students and eight incarcerated individuals discuss criminal justice topics such as sentencing, parole, life after prison and recidivism in a classroom setting.

“They're not just their worst mistake they've ever made,” UC student Grace Downey explained in the televised interview.

Downey says it brought the human side of criminal justice to the forefront for her.

“When you think of corrections, you think of all these people who've done terrible things. We don't think about the reasons why people commit crime or why they feel the need to do these things.”

The class, to include the program, was first taught in 2023 and will be taught again in fall 2024.  

Watch the interview .

Learn more about Bennett and the program .  

Featured image at top of J.Z. Bennett and UC students who participated in the "Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program." Photo provided by Bennett.

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Scenes of Protests at College Campuses

The crackdown at Columbia this month led to more campus demonstrations and hundreds of arrests so far.

In Photos and Video

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including university students, rallied at an encampment in support of Gaza at Alumni Park on the University of Southern California’s campus on Wednesday. Credit... Mark Abramson for The New York Times

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By The New York Times

Text by Troy Closson

• Published April 22, 2024 Updated April 29, 2024

Protests and arrests spread across some of America’s most influential universities this month, as administrators struggled to defuse tensions on campuses over pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Since Columbia University started cracking down on pro-Palestinian protesters occupying a lawn on its New York City campus, encampments and protests against the war in Gaza have sprung up at various other prominent universities, including Yale, M.I.T., the University of Southern California and Emory University. Police interventions on several campuses have led to more than 800 arrests.

The flurry of protests has presented a steep challenge for university leaders, as some Jewish students say they have faced harassment and antisemitic comments.

Here are scenes from the protests.

Sunday, April 28

Protesters clash with University of Pittsburgh police officers while graduates get their photo taken with family members.

A protester at the University of Pittsburgh lays flowers beneath Palestinian flags bearing the names of those killed in Gaza.

The Gaza solidarity rally took place on Sunday during graduation commencement.

Students remain at an encampment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Sunday.

Saturday, April 27

The “Tommy Trojan” statue is watched over by a campus worker after it was defaced by pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the U.S.C. campus in Los Angeles late Saturday.

Members of the U.S.C. graduating class of 2024 walk past the protest encampment after having graduation portraits taken nearby on Saturday.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators rally at the tent encampment in support of Gaza on the U.C.L.A. campus on Saturday.

[crowd chanting] Free, free Palestine. Cops go home. Cops go home. Cops go home.

Protesters chanted as the police cleared an encampment at Northeastern University in Boston on Saturday.

Friday, April 26

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag near East Hall during a protest at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. on Friday.

A man watches from a building as University of Chicago students and faculty lead a march and rally through campus on Friday.

A U.C.L.A. student watches a protest encampment from inside a classroom in Royce Hall before their midterm mathematics exam.

Members of the Islamic faith at the U.C.L.A. encampment pause for evening prayers.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, including some students from Jewish Voice for Peace at U.C.L.A., begin Friday evening Sabbath services at sundown inside the encampment.

Protesters march through campus at Emory University in Atlanta on Friday.

Pro-Palestinian protesters write phone numbers for legal representation on their arms in case they are arrested while demonstrating at Northeastern University in Boston.

[crowd chanting] Disclose, divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.

Protesters at Arizona State University gathered on campus Friday in Tempe, Ariz.

Thursday, April 25

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied at a newly formed “solidarity” encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles, campus.

Students and community members prayed in front of a tent encampment on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

A counterprotester in support of Israel spoke to the media about his thoughts outside the encampment at University of California, Los Angeles.

Officers at the City College of New York were pushed back by a crowd after trying to remove a person from the area during a protest.

Pro-Palestinian and anti-police graffiti was removed from where the encampment on Emerson College’s campus was before it was dismantled by the police in Boston.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators linked arms as police officers surrounded an encampment at Northeastern University in Boston on Thursday.

Students continued their protest at Sproul Plaza on the University of California, Berkeley, campus.

Students at the University of Texas at Austin gathered on campus after a pro-Palestine demonstration. Dozens of students, faculty members and others were arrested on Wednesday after clashes with state law enforcement officials.

At Northwestern University, protesters formed a line to prevent law enforcement officials from entering their encampment on Deering Meadow.

Protesters at the City College of New York in New York City.

An encampment at George Washington University in Washington.

“Let them go!” “Let them go!” Crowd: “Let them go. Let them go. Let them go. Let them go. Let them go.”

Law enforcement officials detained several protesters at Emory University a few hours after an encampment was set up on the university grounds.

Wednesday, April 24

Protesters at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles surrounded a campus police car on Wednesday, demanding that a detained protester be released.

Campus police checked for student IDs at a pro-Palestinian encampment at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

University of California, Berkeley, students set up tents on the Savio steps at Sproul Plaza.

Protesters and police officers gathered during a pro-Palestinian protest at Alumni Park at the University of Southern California.

Tuesday, April 23

Officers from the New York Police Department monitoring a protest on Broadway outside Columbia University shortly after its president, Nemat Shafik, sent an email about negotiations between demonstrators and university officials.

Several tents were moved from the Gaza-solidarity encampment at Columbia late Tuesday evening.

Wooden boards were put up on the campus of New York University after arrests took place there Monday night.

Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology sharing matzo during a Seder hosted by a campus group, MIT Jews for Ceasefire.

Protesters at Washington Square Park in New York City demanding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

Students set up tents at Sproul Plaza on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley.

Students at an encampment at Emerson College in Boston protesting the war in Gaza.

Students and community members protested outside Coffman Memorial Union at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Monday, April 22

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators near the N.Y.U. campus after arrests by the police.

Police officers taking protesters into custody at N.Y.U.

People arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at N.Y.U. on Monday were taken away on an N.Y.P.D. bus.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators awaiting the arrival of the police on the N.Y.U. campus on Monday.

An encampment of demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza on Kresge Lawn at M.I.T. in Cambridge, Mass.

The M.I.T. protest encampment remained up on Monday night.

Students inside the Stern School of Business building at N.Y.U. watched the demonstrations from above.

Some pro-Palestinian demonstrators engaged in prayers at N.Y.U. as others looked on.

The tent encampment set up by pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the plaza outside the business school’s entrance.

Protesters marched outside University Center, one of the main buildings at the New School’s Greenwich Village campus.

A group of demonstrators gathered at a pro-Israel rally outside the main gates of Columbia.

The encampment at Columbia was put back up by protesters after being removed the previous week.

In a show of support for students who had been arrested and suspended, faculty members at Columbia took part in a walkout on Monday.

Hundreds of people stood to listen to faculty members speaking as part of the walkout.

Student demonstrators gathered at the Diag, a central location on the University of Michigan campus.

At the University of Michigan, a student protester applied a henna tattoo depicting a pattern that symbolizes Palestine onto the wrist of another demonstrator.

Demonstrators prayed together at the encampment organized by protesters at M.I.T., in Cambridge, Mass.

Supporters of Israel at Columbia on Monday morning.

Crowd: “We will not stop, we will not rest. Disclose, divest. We will not stop, we will not rest. Disclose, divest.” Crowd: “Free, free, free Palestine. Free, free, free Palestine. Free, free, free Palestine. Free, free, free Palestine. Free, free, free Palestine.”

Pro-Palestinian students at Yale University gathered on campus chanting, “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest.”

Students on the Yale campus took part in protests, even after arrests had been made earlier on Monday.

“Free, free Palestine.” “Back up — everybody’s got to back up.”

Outside Columbia’s gates, New York City police officers detained a pro-Palestinian demonstrator.

Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, calling for Columbia’s president to “resign in disgrace.”

Pro-Palestinian stickers near the entrance of Butler Library at Columbia.

[crowd clapping and cheering] How about you have the courage to open the gate? And let’s see what happens.

Protesters gathered around Columbia’s College Walk, the main pedestrian thoroughfare on the campus, as a speaker addressed them from the Sundial, a campus landmark.

A pro-Israel demonstrator outside Columbia University’s campus gates.

Protesters at N.Y.U. demanding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

Students erected encampments at several Boston-area universities, including M.I.T., to show solidarity with Palestinians and with protesters at Columbia.

Students at M.I.T. formed an improvised drum circle during the protests.

Protesters gathered around Columbia’s College Walk as a speaker addressed them from the Sundial.

Officers, some with batches of plastic restraints attached to their uniforms, lined up at a news conference held by the N.Y.P.D. outside the Columbia campus on Monday.

A group of pro-Palestinian students guarding their protest site on Columbia’s central campus lawn.

The “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” dominates Columbia’s South Fields, facing Low Library, the space where commencement exercises are scheduled next month.

Shai Davidai, a Jewish Columbia professor, speaking outside the campus gates on Monday after saying his university identification card had been deactivated. A petition, which has garnered more than 10,000 signatures, has sought his termination, accusing him of harassment of pro-Palestinian students.

Students at Yale occupied an intersection near Woodbridge Hall.

Sunday, April 21

Protesters rallied outside Columbia’s gates. Some protesters, unaffiliated with the university, made antisemitic comments toward Jewish students.

Tents that had previously been removed were again set up on the campus lawn by demonstrators.

Thursday, April 18

More than 100 Pro-Palestinian activists were arrested last week when Columbia’s president said she had taken the “extraordinary step” to call in the police “because these are extraordinary circumstances.”

Cornel West addressed student protesters.

The student demonstrators were not deterred by rainstorms on Thursday. They remained in tents before the encampment was eventually removed.

The administration called the N.Y.P.D. onto the campus. Over 100 students were arrested on Thursday.

Troy Closson reports on K-12 schools in New York City for The Times. More about Troy Closson

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May 2024 grads: Your most-asked questions about Commencement

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 27, 2024) — This week, the University of Kentucky will celebrate its newest alumni at the May 2024 Commencement Ceremonies , taking place Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.

For many of this spring’s graduating seniors, this will be their first-ever graduation ceremony, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting closings and cancellations that occurred in spring of 2020, when they graduated high school.

Around 4,300 graduates have registered to participate across the four ceremonies (out of 5,736 total degree candidates conferred by the UK Board of Trustees). Those who are registered are receiving email communication with details regarding the ceremonies, and should continue to read those emails up until the day of the ceremony for important information and updates. 

To ensure everyone is well-informed and prepared, UKNow went directly to some of these graduating students to ask what additional questions they still have, or may have missed in the hustle and bustle of wrapping up their academic journey at UK. 

Do you need tickets to attend Commencement?

No. There are no tickets or assigned seats for guests of graduates during Commencement.

What time should graduates and guests arrive at Rupp Arena?

Graduates should arrive ONE hour before their ceremony for check-in. The entrance is located on West High Street and there will be signage directing graduates to check-in. Grads can find their college’s ceremony time here: https://commencement.uky.edu/may-2024 .

Guests of graduates may arrive up to one hour before the ceremony start time. Doors to Rupp Arena will not be open prior to one hour before the ceremony.

Where should graduates and guests park? Is there a shuttle?

The Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center parking lot is located on West High Street and will have free parking for all guests and graduates. To ensure all graduates and their families have an enjoyable experience, guests are asked to move their vehicle from the High Street Lot immediately after their ceremony concludes to ensure the next ceremony can start on time. A map of these locations can be  found here .

Shuttle services will run continuously from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday from Administration Drive (across from Cornerstone Garage, Parking Structure #5) to Rupp Arena​ at Central Bank Center. The Cornerstone parking structure, located on 401 South Limestone, will also be open for those interested in shuttling from campus. Entrances to the parking structure are located on both South Limestone and South Upper Street.

Is there a processional of graduates at the beginning of the ceremony?

No. After graduates check in they will make their way into the arena and find a place to sit with their college. Faculty marshals and posted signage will direct graduates on where to go. The platform (stage) party will process into the arena at the beginning of the ceremony when all graduates are seated. 

Which side of the floor is my college sitting? Where should I tell my family to sit so they can see me?

Seating charts for each ceremony are available here . Families may opt to sit on the side that faces their graduate’s college.

What’s the walking order for the colleges in my ceremony?

The walking order for each ceremony is listed here: https://commencement.uky.edu/may-2024 .

Will there be a speaker?

A graduating student will give a 5-minute address and there will also be a brief performance by a spoken word poet. 

How will I know when it’s my turn to cross the stage?

During check in, graduates will receive a card with their name on it. They will hold on to this card until it's time to walk across the stage. During the presentation of diplomas, graduates will be instructed to stand and line up by the faculty marshals. Just before going on stage, graduates will hand their card to event staff who will run the card through a device that will display the graduate’s name/degree on the jumbotron/livestream, and the reader will say the graduate's name as they walk across the stage.

What happens after I receive my diploma? Where should I go?

After being handed their diploma, graduates will take a quick professional photo on stage, exit the stage/arena, take an additional portrait against a backdrop, and be greeted with a gift from the UK Alumni Association. Graduates are then welcome to follow signs over to Club C on the Lower Level of Central Bank Center for Grad Gathering , hosted by the Alumni Association, where they can meet up with their family and friends and enjoy refreshments, receive a gift and take their own photos against a Commencement backdrop. 

Does Commencement follow Rupp Arena’s security policies?

Yes, with some adjustments. Patrons may only have  one clear bag  (no larger than 12"x12"x6 " ) or one small clutch purse, with or without handle or strap (no larger than 9”x 5”) for their personal items. All bags and items will be searched.

All signs, flags, posters and amplification devices (megaphones, speakers, etc.) are strictly prohibited.

Is there ceremony livestreamed?

Yes. All ceremonies will be livestreamed on UK’s  YouTube channel . Links and embedded videos of the streams will be available to watch and share via the  UK Commencement  website and UKNow the day of the ceremonies. Full video of each ceremony should remain available to watch on YouTube after the event concludes.

How long do the ceremonies last?

Ceremonies are expected to last around two hours depending on how many students participate. This may vary from family to family as students will leave after walking across the stage, so graduates may not be inside Rupp Arena for the full two hours.

Is there a reception following the ceremony?

Yes! The Alumni Association hosts a Grad Gathering following each ceremony. Graduates and their families are encouraged to attend and meet up in Club C on the Lower Level. Signage will direct graduates to the reception after they exit the stage/arena. Learn more here .

The UK Commencement ceremonies will take place at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, May 3, and 9 a.m. Saturday, May 4. A list of college and ceremony times can be found at https://commencement.uky.edu/may-2024 .

Find more information and answers to additional FAQs here .

Congratulations to the May 2024 UK grads! Share your special day on social media by using the hashtag #UKgrad.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.   

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