NSD Camp Scholarships

NSD is committed to providing need-based scholarships to students. Last summer, we offered $55,000 in need-based aid and since founding, we have provided over $450,000 in need-based aid to students who want to attend NSD summer camps. The purpose of our aid process is to make our programs more accessible for people who genuinely cannot afford to attend. Accordingly, our aid process is strictly need-based. We award both partial and full aid packages. Each case is different, but, as a generalization from previous years, most students who received aid were in the bottom 50% of U.S. household income, and the largest aid awards went to people in the bottom 30% of U.S. household income. Sadly, it is also usually the case that demand for financial assistance exceeds what we are able to supply.

Once you apply, we will evaluate your application. We evaluate applications roughly once a month and in batches. Once you have received a decision on your aid application, you will be able to choose whether to accept the award and pay your camp balance (if any), or decline. Please note that our financial aid application requires submission of your latest 1040 tax form (you should black out your social security information), and will allow you to tell us any additional financial information you would like us to consider. Scholarship applications for 2024 are now closed.

I come from a small school and circuit debate resources are slim. NSD's scholarship made it possible for me to attend debate camp. At NSD, I got access to great lab leaders and met other kids who love debate as much as me. I think this scholarship has given me an edge in debate as someone that’s newer.   

Christianna Thomas
Philadelphia LD 2021 and 2022 Alumni

NSD's scholarship made going to camp a reality for my debater. Because of NSD, she joined the varsity team immediately starting high school and was able to start winning and collecting State points, despite how complex Progressive LD is at the beginning.

Annie Thomas
Philadelphia LD 2021 and 2022 NSD Parent

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