Since its founding in 1973, the TCA Scholarship Fund has supported the educational goals of students connected to the trucking industry. Eligible recipients are students in good standing who are enrolled in two- or four-year colleges or universities and are affiliated with TCA member companies.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for all of us,” said Mark Walker, CEO of TransLand and chairman of the TCA Scholarship Fund.

“We are honored to raise the bar once again in supporting students and investing in their future. The volume and caliber of applications this year were outstanding, and it’s truly inspiring to see so many talented, driven individuals pursuing their goals,” he continued. “We are proud to play a part in their journeys and look forward to seeing the impact they will have on our industry and beyond.”

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients, who are listed below.

Endowed, named scholarships (awarded only to four-year university recipients):

• NAIT Scholarship ($6,250): Jorleney Aguirre, Landstar Transportation
• John Kaburick Scholarship ($4,500): Isaac Crespo, NFI Industries
• Darrel Clark Wilson III Scholarship ($3,250): Kennedy Buatte, Prime Inc.
• Jim and Starla Ward Scholarship ($3,250): Wyatt Neese, Hogan Transports
• Kai Norris Scholarship ($3,250): Ganella Adams, Brown Trucking
• Keith Tuttle Scholarship ($3,250): Alec Schaublin, Thomas E. Keller Trucking
• Robert D. Penner Scholarship ($3,250): Anabella Caballero, Werner Enterprises
• Robert Low Scholarship ($3,250): Zach Polubinski, AIT Worldwide Logistics
• Stoney Reese Stubbs Scholarship ($3,250): Parnoor Gill, Bison Transport
• Thomas R. Schilli Scholarship (two recipients/$3,250 each): Jeremiah Leonard, Western Dairy Transport; and Gurjaan Rai, Bison Transport
• Thomas Welby Scholarship ($3,250): Brett Faccio, Buchanan Hauling and Rigging
• Tom Kretsinger Jr. Scholarship ($3,250): Zach Gaudette, Sibley Transport
• William Giroux Scholarship (three recipients/$3,250 each): Logan Dudley, Swift Transportation; Lily Maddox, Covenant Logistics; and Ryan Battista, NFI Industries

Four-year university scholarship recipients, $2,725 each:

• Kade Andrus, Doug Andrus Distributing
• Judah Bass, Saddle Creek Logistics
• Anika Birkelo, Royal Logistics
• Aden Brown, Prime Inc.
• Julian Chancellor, Maverick Transportation
• Sahitya Das, NFI Industries
• Christina Doucette, Werner Enterprises
• Joshua Duncan, Best Logistics Group
• Madeline Falknor, Fremont Contract Carriers
• Brody Gager, NFI Industries
• Tristen Gaulden, Maverick Transportation
• Bella Genco, Knight Transportation
• Samantha Hoffman, Firstfleet
• Paige Hudson, SMC3
• Darius Jarvis, Givens Transportation
• MacKenzy King, Marten Transport
• Erika Kraseman, Swift Transportation
• Caris Lincoln, Dana Incorporated
• Madeline Marten, Marten Transport
• Miranda Martinez, Werner Enterprises
• Jeremiah Mathew, Stevens Transport
• Orelon McNeal, SWTO
• Drew Merritt, Hendrickson
• Caleb Moore, J.J. Keller & Associates
• Ethan Moore, Halvor Lines
• Margaret Motts, Hendrickson
• Charlotte Pugh, Best Logistics Group
• Katie Pulliam, Danny Herman Trucking
• Andrew Ramirez, Lew Thompson & Sons
• Ava Reilley, NFI Industries
• Sebastian Ruiz, S&H Express
• Hannah Sherer, Knight-Swift Transportation
• Sarina Shrestha, Werner Enterprises
• Harleigh Smith, Heartland Express
• Brandon Stice, Heartland Express
• Macie Varley, Trans-System
• Demetrius Warnsley, KLLM Transport Services
• David Wiewiura, Hendrickson
• Teigen Wormstadt, Fortune Transportation
• Ryan Wyskowski, Werner Enterprises
• Isaac Yust, Heartland Express

Two-year college scholarship recipients, $2,000 each:

• Molly Garner, Big G Express
• Mabel Ornelas, Arlo G. Lott Trucking
• Jenessa Rimer, Transportation Commodities Inc. (TCI)
• Alexandria Rivera, Saddle Creek Logistics
• Megan Tyler, Hogan Transports
• Sawyer Wickesberg, J.J. Keller & Associates

How recipients were selected

The application process was managed by the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges. A selection committee, established by OFIC, scored the applicants, taking into consideration the applicants’ GPA, major, extracurricular activities, hours worked, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did the TCA Scholarship Fund award for 2026-27?
A total of $182,000 was awarded to 64 students.

Who is eligible for the TCA Scholarship Fund?
Students must be in good standing, enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university, and affiliated with a TCA member company.

Who manages the application process?
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges manages the application and selection process.

What factors are used to select recipients?
Applicants are evaluated based on GPA, major, extracurricular activities, hours worked, and more.

Are there different scholarship types available?
Yes, including endowed named scholarships for four-year university recipients and standard awards for both two-year and four-year students.

The TCA Scholarship Fund continues to support students connected to the trucking industry through its annual scholarship program.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: April 24, 2026

Source: The Trucker

The post TCA Scholarship Fund Awards Record-Breaking $182,000 to 64 Students for 2026-27 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This milestone is more than numbers—it’s a reflection of TCA’s continued support for education, family, and the future of trucking.

“The TCA Scholarship Fund remains one of the most valuable initiatives offered through TCA membership, providing an opportunity to give back and honor the legacy and future of the truckload industry,” said TCA Scholarship Fund Chairman Joey Hogan of Covenant Logistics. “In the face of economic challenges, we were able to provide over $176,000 in scholarship monies, which reflects TCA’s strong commitment to this important program.”

Supporting Trucking Families Since 1973

Established over five decades ago, the TCA Scholarship Fund has helped thousands of students pursue higher education. All applicants must be in good academic standing and connected to a TCA member company—whether through family, employment, or direct involvement.

Endowed Named Scholarships

Four-year university students received both named and standard awards. Here are the named scholarship recipients for 2025–26:

• Katie Pulliam – Greater Omaha Express, NAIT Scholarship – $6,250
• Aadya Menon – NFI Interactive Logistics, John Kaburick Scholarship – $4,500
• Michael Henretty Jr. – Werner Enterprises, Darrel Clark Wilson III Scholarship – $3,250
• Jorkaeff Nogales – Bennett Motor Express, Kai Norris Scholarship – $3,250
• Nicholas Farrell – Load One, Thomas Welby Scholarship – $3,250
• Joe Smith III – Western Dairy Transport, Stoney Reese Stubbs Scholarship – $3,250
• Kaden Buatte – Prime Inc., Robert Low Scholarship – $3,250
• Annika Waltenberg – Bison Transport, Robert D. Penner Scholarship – $3,250
• Jennifer Miranda – Tucker Freight Lines, Thomas R. Schilli Scholarship – $3,250
• Kalee O’Brien – Paschall Truck Lines, Thomas R. Schilli Scholarship – $3,250
• Jorleney Aguirre – Landstar Transportation Logistics, Keith Tuttle Scholarship – $3,250
• Gitali Jain – NFI Interactive Logistics, Tom Kretsinger, Jr. Scholarship – $3,250
• Emily Ritenour – Werner Enterprises, Bill Giroux Scholarship – $3,250
• Caleb Studdie – Central Oregon Truck Company, Bill Giroux Scholarship – $3,250
• Brianna Telles Fernandez – Covenant Transport Services, Bill Giroux Scholarship – $3,250

Four-Year College Scholarship Recipients – $2,725 Each

• Emma Bowden – Roehl Transport Inc.
• Kennedy Buatte – Prime Inc.
• Teigen Wormstadt – Fortune Transportation Company, Inc.
• Hong Han – Kriska Holdings
• Gurjaan Rai – Bison Transport
• Sebastian Ruiz – S&H Express
• Matthew Tlapanco – Knight-Swift Transportation
• Ganella Adams – Brown Trucking Co.
• Kaitlyn Huff – J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
• Gabrielle McClister – Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc.
• Andrea Mistichelli – NFI Interactive Logistics
• Caleb Moore – J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
• Zachary Polubinski – Spur Freight / AIT
• Hannah Sherer – Knight-Swift Transportation
• Kathrinne Sugandi – Millis Transfer, Inc.
• Jack Rogers – Don Hummer Trucking Corp
• Alec Schaublin – Thomas E. Keller Trucking, Inc.
• Brandon Stice – CFI
• Uriel Aguillon – Hendrickson
• Cooper Calvert – Paschall Truck Lines, Inc.
• Parnoor Singh Gill – Bison Transport
• Isabella Ivins – TCI Transportation Services Inc.
• Robert Tolhurst – Bison Transport
• Antonio Verdugo – TCI Transportation Services Inc.
• Brett Faccio – Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc.
• Ethan Moore – Halvor Lines, Inc.
• Isaac Crespo – NFI Interactive Logistics
• Roberto Rodriguez – Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc.
• Sadisha Widyalankara – Bison Transport
• Theresa Stephens – McLeod Software
• Kevin White – Prime Inc.
• Drew Merritt – Hendrickson
• Isilma Villalta – Roehl Transport Inc.
• Firas Elkhattabi – Boyle Transportation
• Chase Gugliuzza – TCI Transportation Services Inc.
• Jeremiah Mathew – Stevens Transport Inc.
• Logan Dudley – Knight-Swift Transportation
• Kendrick Brown – NFI Interactive Logistics
• Madeline Falknor – Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc.
• Lillian Maddox – Covenant Transport Services
• Isabella Yust – CFI

Two-Year College Scholarship Recipients – $2,000 Each

• Alanna Severson – Marten Transport, Ltd.
• Carson Kunze – Grand Island Express, Inc.
• Mabel Ornelas – Arlo G. Lott Trucking, Inc.
• Lucas Brooks – Givens Transportation Inc.
• Clare Phillips – Werner Enterprises, Inc.
• Jacob Greene – Covenant Transport Services

A Fair and Comprehensive Selection Process

Scholarships were awarded through an independent review facilitated by the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC). The selection committee evaluated students based on GPA, major, extracurricular involvement, work experience, and overall academic promise.

Source: The Trucker

The post TCA Invests Over $175,000 in 62 Students Connected to the Trucking Industry appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Through this program, TCA provides financial support to help students achieve their academic goals. Eligible full-time undergraduate students can receive up to $6,250 per year, while students attending a two-year college can qualify for up to $2,000 annually.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be pursuing their first degree at an accredited U.S. or Canadian two-year or four-year college or university.

Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a child, grandchild, or spouse of an employee at a TCA member company.

• Be a child, grandchild, or spouse of an independent contractor affiliated with a TCA member company.

• Be a current employee of a TCA member company.

Recipients are chosen based on academic potential, financial need, extracurricular involvement, application effort, area of study, and recommendations. TCA states that scholarships are awarded without discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, or other protected statuses.

Scholarship Selection & Administration

The program is managed by Scholarship Management Resources (SMR), and the recipient selection is conducted by a specialized committee at SMR. Factors such as the candidates’ academic achievements, financial requirements, and overall integrity are considered during the selection process.

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges’ Scholarship Management Resources (SMR) handles all administrative functions. For questions about the application process or document submissions, students can contact SMR directly at scholarships@ofic.org.

Important Dates

• Applications Open: February 4

• Deadline to Apply: March 21

• Scholarship Decisions: Announced by the end of June

• Distribution: Scholarships will be sent directly to recipients’ campuses in July, provided course schedules are submitted.

Don’t miss this opportunity to secure financial assistance for your education. Apply online today.

Source: Truckers News

Image: TCA

The post Need Help Paying for College? TCA Scholarships Open February 4 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.