Thinking about going to welding school? Or maybe you’ve already made up your mind that you want to fuse metal for a living. That’s great! It can be an exciting and fulfilling career.
Your next question is probably, “How will I pay for my welding training?” The good news is welding school will cost you a lot less than a university.
Still, welding school isn’t free. The other good news, however, is that there are welding scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition, books and other expenses.
Check out these 4 scholarships for welding students.
1. American Welding Society Welder Training Scholarship
Since 1919, the American Welding Society (AWS) has been advancing the science, technology and application of welding through thought leadership, action and spreading awareness about welding careers to new generations of students.[1]
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The organization provides scholarships for welding training programs that last up to two years and are offered at community colleges or technical schools.
Who Can Apply?
Welding students. You’ll need to show proof of enrollment to collect your award.
How to Apply
Fill out the application and submit it with a personal statement (250 words or less) via email or snail mail.
If you apply before November 30, you’ll be considered for funds for that calendar year. After that date, your application will be reviewed for the following calendar year.
How Much Is Awarded?
Each of the AWS’ 22 Districts has $10,000 to distribute into ten $1,000 scholarships every year. That’s $1,000 to help with welding school tuition and fees if you win.[2][3]
The AWS also offers scholarships at the district, national and international levels. There are scholarships for welding educators, too.[4]
2. National FFA Organization Tulsa Welding School-Sponsored Scholarship
The National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization is a student group that supports agricultural leadership and education. The organization has teamed up with the largest welding school in the country, Tulsa Welding School, to offer scholarships to help students pay for the cost of TWS’ 7-month Professional Welder training program.
Who Can Apply?
Graduating high school students who are members of FFA are eligible for funding based on their leadership skills in FFA activities. They must have a GPA score of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 GPA scale.
Proof of involvement in the Supervised Agricultural Experience program is also a requirement.
You’ll need to begin the Professional Welder program from June through October to qualify.
How to Apply
The 2018 online application deadline was February 1. Check the organization’s website for 2019 scholarship deadline dates. [5]
How Much Is Awarded?
Two $1,000 scholarships are available each year for each of the 50 states, including Puerto Rico and DC. If you win, the money will be distributed as a tuition credit.[6]
3. FMA’s Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Scholarship
Do you have dreams of using your future welding skills to enter the manufacturing industry? Then this could be just the scholarship for you.
The Foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA) has been helping future manufacturers pay for their schooling through scholarships since 1990. Students of welding training, metal fabrication and welding engineering programs can help fund their studies with the association’s Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs scholarship.[7]
Who Can Apply?
You’ll need to have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be enrolled in a welding training program to apply.
How to Apply
Submit an application with your official high school or college transcript attached from July 1 to September 30, 2018, to be considered for the spring 2019 term.
How Much Is Awarded?
Technical students can receive up to $2,500 in funding that can be used for tuition, textbooks and other academic expenses. Personal expenses like housing and food, however, are not covered.[8]
SME Education Foundation Scholarship
Through youth programs, scholarships and other initiatives, the SME Education Foundation inspires, supports and prepares students for advanced manufacturing careers. The foundation has provided more than $10.4 million in scholarships and 1.2 million in awards.[9]
Who Can Apply?
SME Education Foundation members seeking welding training in a two-year program can apply.
How to Apply
The first step is registering with the SME Education Foundation. You’ll then be notified when the application opens in November and have until February to submit the required documents.
How Much Is Awarded?
Applicants can receive anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 at a time, and the funds can be used for tuition, books and/or lab or course fees. Additional funding is available to a student who has a parent or grandparent who has been an SME member in good standing for two years.[10]
Don’t Let Funding Stand in the Way of Your Welding Career
This is your future we’re talking about. Something simple like funding shouldn’t hold you back.
We talked about four scholarships, but they’re not the only ones.
- Scholarships for women
- Members of the military and for the children of veterans
- Federal grants and loans
Not sure how to get started? Contact the pros in our financial aid department for helping in finding the funding you qualify for and filling out the right forms on time.
Additional Sources
[1] https://www.aws.org/about/
[2] https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/welder-training-scholarship
[3] https://app.aws.org/sections/dist_list
[4] https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/scholarships
[5] https://www.ffa.org/participate/scholarships
[6] https://www.ffa.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/scholarship_2018_catalog.pdf
[7] https://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/scholarships/recommended-fields-study
[8] https://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/scholarships
[9] http://www.smeef.org/who_we_are/
[10] http://www.smeef.org/scholarships/
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