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What Do You Know About the National Design Service Act?

The National Design Services Act (NDSA) is a bill promoted by the American Architects that enables architecture students and recent graduates to contribute design services in their communities in exchange for much needed student loan assistance. Architecture students are burdened by some of the of the highest school-based dept balances in the nation's history, with an undergraduate debt load 33% higher than the national average in 2012.

The NDSA works through the use of designated community design centers, where architecture students contribute a specific time period of work over the course of several days, weeks, months, and in exchange will receive federal aid from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Federal government has always encouraged student loan aid programs that have a positive impact on regions across the country, as medical, legal and even veterinary students have had bills written to encourage the contribution of their work to the undeserved area.

Crumbling infrastructure as urban developments explodes. Young professionals burdened by educational debt seeking architectural public service opportunities. Could we solve both?

It's time to talk about changing the way we do architecture in this country. We want the future of our profession to be financially sustainable and attainable, able to provide valuable services and to attract talent to our field. It's time for you to be invested in shaping the future of the NDSA.