Material Handling Education Foundation Scholarship Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc.
Introduction
The Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI) is an independent nonprofit dedicated to encouraging students to pursue careers in material handling, logistics, and supply chain through financial support. Since 1976, the Foundation’s programs have assisted more than 1,500 students and educators in accessing quality educational opportunities and career pathways.
Award Information
- Scholarship amounts range from $1,500 to $6,000; multiple awards will be offered.
- A single application will be considered for every scholarship the Foundation offers; however, each recipient may receive only one award per year.
- Scholarships cover one academic year. Previous awardees who still meet eligibility requirements are welcome to reapply annually.
- For the 2026/2027 academic year there are two distinct application tracks: one for incoming freshmen and another for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Please choose the correct track when applying.
Who May Apply (Eligibility for 2026/2027)
To qualify for the 2026/2027 scholarships, applicants must:
- Be enrolled full time as an undergraduate student pursuing a career in material handling, logistics, or supply chain at a qualifying college or university and be classified as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior for Fall 2026.
- Be attending a U.S.-based, nonprofit college or university accredited by the Council for Higher Education.
- Maintain at least a "B" average (GPA) in their major.
- Plan to remain continuously enrolled during the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 terms, except for interruptions caused by illness, emergency, or military service.
Important: Scholarship funds may not be applied to study abroad semesters or programs.
Recommended Academic/Program Areas
Undergraduate students enrolled in programs with a focus on material handling, logistics, or supply chain are encouraged to apply. Relevant majors include, but are not limited to:
- Industrial Engineering
- Industrial Distribution
- Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering
- Structural Engineering (with emphasis on cold-formed steel design)
- Engineering Technology
- Computer Science (with coursework or projects related to material handling & supply chain)
- Business or Management programs focused on material handling or supply chain management
- Imaging and camera-based vision systems; identification technologies such as barcodes, RFID; LIDAR and RADAR sensors
Application Steps
1) Recommendation
- Begin by requesting a recommendation from a professor, faculty member, or employer. Create an account and submit the recommender’s name and email at https://MHEFI.smapply.org. Once the recommender completes the emailed form, you will be notified by email and may proceed with the remainder of the application.
2) Short-Answer Questions and Activities
- Complete the application’s short-answer prompts and provide a listing of extracurricular activities, work experience, and awards or honors.
3) Resume and Supporting Materials
- Upload a current resume and any supporting documentation that shows your involvement with or understanding of the material handling, logistics, or supply chain fields (examples: research papers, project summaries, white papers, case studies, or a video).
4) Official Transcript
- An official academic transcript must be sent directly from your school. Institutions may email a secure download link (with printing enabled) to mammons@mhi.org or mail a printed official transcript to:
Mary Alyson Ammons
MHEFI
8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 201
Charlotte, NC 28217
- Incoming freshmen should request an official transcript from their former high school. Transcripts sent directly by applicants will not be accepted because they cannot be authenticated.
Timeline
- The application for the 2026/2027 academic year opens on October 1, 2025.
- Scholarship recipients for the 2026/2027 academic year will be notified by April 30, 2026.
If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, use the application portal above or contact MHEFI via the provided email address.