TRANSPORTATION ACCESS FUND
Last Mile Support for Emerging STEM Talent
Transportation Should Not Derail Degrees
Getting to class shouldn’t stop students from graduating. Yet, 35% of Last Mile applicants—within 6–18 months of earning STEM degrees—cite transportation as their top barrier. Without reliable mobility, students are forced to choose between fixing a car or paying tuition, commuting hours by bus, or missing critical lab and internship time. Every year, 13,800 students nationally in tech and engineering fields drop out just short of graduation due to small financial gaps.
“A one-time $2,300 award covered my car repair and insurance. I graduated on time, started my cybersecurity career, and now mentor younger women in STEM.”
The Transportation Access Fund invests in practical, flexible support—covering gas, transit passes, car repairs, insurance, rideshare, or even e-bikes and scooters—exactly when students need it most.
$12M over 3 years to serve 7,700 students
Average award: $1,800 per student
Keeps students in class, on track, and in the STEAM pipeline
When transportation barriers are removed, students graduate, families escape poverty, and industries gain resilient, homegrown talent.
The result: students graduate on time, join the workforce, and strengthen the U.S. talent pipeline.
The Solution
Proven Impact
12,000+ students served across 961+ institutions
74% graduate within 12 months of receiving support
Each unfinished degree = $630K wasted investment + lost human potential
246x social ROI over 10 years: higher wages, tax revenue, and reduced public costs
Why Investors Choose Last Mile
Last Mile delivers fast, flexible awards in days, not months, with no GPA barriers—investing in persistence, not perfection. Focused on high-demand semiconductor pathways, our national reach connects directly with colleges and training programs across the country.
The results speak for themselves: a $1 investment generates $246 in social return, with a 74% graduation rate among awardees. With an average award of less than $3,000, students stay in school, graduate, and move directly into the semiconductor workforce.
Partnering with Last Mile Education Fund delivers a proven model with unmatched ROI. With nationwide reach, we support students at any U.S. institution. Our platform amplifies impact by pooling employer contributions, powered by a scalable tech backbone and lean operations. Funders benefit from transparent, centralized reporting and the collective power of a shared model that multiplies results across contributors.
The money I received helped me to get the TIPM replaced on my car so I could get back and forth to my clinicals. I couldn’t afford a rental car and using it to pay for a rental would have been gone in a week. I was able to get my car fixed, make it to clinical, make it to work; and make it to class. It was really helpful and I am beyond grateful.
— Fall 2024 Survey Respondent
Partner With Us
Opportunity is everywhere. Let’s make sure access is too.
Anchor Partner: $3M / 3 years
Strategic Partner: $1M / 3 years
Catalyst Partner: $500K / 3 years
Supporting Partner: $250K / 3 years
Community Partner: $75K / 3 years
Be Part of the Solution
Together, we can ensure no student is stopped short by something as solvable as a car repair or missed bus.