NDTA Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by National Defense Transportation Association

Intro and Purpose
From its earliest days, NDTA has prioritized promoting and supporting education, research, science, and development in transportation across private, industrial, academic, and government sectors. To provide a dedicated funding vehicle for those efforts, the Association created the NDTA Foundation in 1961 as a separate financial entity operating under NDTA. A volunteer Board of Trustees oversees the Foundation’s work.

How the Foundation is Supported
The Foundation relies on voluntary contributions. Donations are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are restricted to Foundation-related purposes and may not be used to cover unrelated operating expenses.

Why the Foundation’s Work Matters
College costs and the resulting student debt burden have risen dramatically over the last decade and a half. Student loan balances exceeded $1.7 trillion as of early 2021.1 Graduates in the Class of 2021 left school with an average debt of $36,900—a figure that has been growing at about 7.8% per year.2 Since the Class of 2000, average student-loan balances at graduation have increased by 76%, a growth rate that outpaces inflation by roughly 41%.2 In addition, a 2020 survey of 10,839 students across 255 U.S. institutions by OneClass found that 56% reported they could no longer afford tuition.3 Reducing the financial barriers to higher education for future transportation professionals is a central priority for the Foundation.

Support the Future
Because the Foundation is sustained by voluntary gifts, your contribution helps ensure the Foundation can continue assisting students for years to come. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to support the next generation of professionals in our field.

Industry Connect Program
The Industry Connect Program (ICP) pairs NDTA Foundation scholarship recipients with industry mentors. The program helps students explore their areas of interest and serves as a transition from academic study to careers in logistics, transportation, supply chain, distribution, and passenger travel services.

Scholarship Program
Each year the Foundation awards scholarships to high school and college students pursuing studies in logistics, transportation, or passenger travel disciplines. Scholarships are available to NDTA members and their financial dependents who are studying logistics, transportation, supply chain, physical distribution, or passenger travel services. The Foundation’s scholarship offerings include:

- Academic Scholarship Program A: For students currently enrolled in college.
- Academic Scholarship Program B: For students who are about to graduate from high school and have been accepted to an accredited college or university.
- Academic Scholarship Program C: For college students enrolled in distance learning (online) programs.
- Academic Scholarship Program D — The Denny Edwards Graduate Scholarship: For students pursuing a graduate degree.

Sources
1. Zack Friedman, “Student Loan Debt Statistics in 2021: A Record $1.7 Trillion,” Forbes, 20 February 2021.
2. Melanie Hanson, “Average Student Loan Debt by Year,” educationdata.org. Updated 21 July 2021.
3. OneClass Blog, “How Has the Pandemic Affected Your Ability to Afford School?” OneClass.com, 1 June 2020.