Amazon.com Inc.

08/20/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/20/2026 04:41

AWS commits more than $500 million to student cloud and AI training

Key takeaways

  • AWS is launching Student Rewards on Builder Center for verified university students.
  • Students get up to $579 in resources including credits, training, and certification.
  • Rewards include $30 in credits, a $100 certification voucher, and Skill Builder access.
AWS is launching Student Rewards on AWS Builder Center, a new program that gives verified higher education students access to earn AWS credits, 12 months of premium Skill Builder, and an AWS Certification Foundational exam voucher as they learn, build, and connect in the community.
The initiative represents a commitment of more than $500 million in resources to support university students globally with the training, tools, and certification they need to start building careers in cloud and AI.

How Amazon Think Big Spaces has 100,000 students participating in STEM education programs

As part of the program, Amazon and Brooks Running have launched a global student challenge using generative AI and recycled materials.

What every builder gets, no verification needed

AWS Builder Center is a community for developers at every level. Builders can sign up and access:
  • Hands-on workshops to learn AWS
  • The ability to read and publish articles, share projects, and build a public profile that showcases your work
  • Community Spaces organized by topic and region to connect with developers worldwide
Student Rewards build on this foundation, giving verified students exclusive access to credits, premium content, and certification vouchers as they engage.

What verified students get when they sign up

When a university student (18 or older) verifies their enrollment and completes their Builder Center profile, they immediately receive 12 months of premium Skill Builder access including 900+ courses, hands-on labs, certification exam prep, and game-based learning.
As students earn badges through actions on Builder Center-publishing articles, commenting, and maintaining engagement-they unlock additional rewards:
Milestone Reward
Verified student and profile complete 12-Month Skill Builder premium ($449 value)
7 badges $10 AWS credits
14 badges $20 AWS credits
21 badges AWS Foundational Certification exam voucher
Total potential value: $579 per student-$30 in AWS credits, a $100 certification voucher, and 12 months of premium Skill Builder access ($449 value).

Amazon commits over $70 million in scholarships to students across the US since 2019

Amazon has awarded 200 high school seniors with scholarships of up to $40,000 each, plus a paid internship opportunity at Amazon.

How to get started in five minutes

  1. Verify student status: Sign in to Builder Center and complete verification through SheerID. Most verifications complete in minutes.
  2. Complete a profile: Upload a photo and fill out the About section. This unlocks a year of Skill Builder premium access.
  3. Earn badges, unlock rewards: Publish articles, comment, and maintain engagement. Each badge earned works toward the next reward.

How students can connect on campus

AWS Student Builder Groups are student-led communities at universities in more than 60 countries. Students come together to explore cloud technology, build projects, and grow their skills with peers. Learn more, find a group or start one today.
Amazon.com Inc. published this content on August 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 20, 2026 at 10:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]