7 Scholarship Opportunities for Welding Students

Whether you’ve already decided you want to enroll in welding training or you’re still considering welding as a career path, you’re probably already thinking about the cost of welding school.

Welding school typically has a different set of costs than a traditional college or university. According to recent data from Education Data Initiative, the cost of college in the US is $35,331 per student per year. The average cost of in-state tuition is $9,349 per year. The average cost of out-of-state tuition is $27,023 per year. The average student loan debt is $37,584.

While welding school usually doesn’t cost as much overall as a university education, any type of education is an investment. Applying for scholarships is one way to potentially reduce the cost of your vocational education.

Here are 4 welding scholarships designed to help fund welding students’ training:

AWS Welder Training Scholarship

The American Welding Society (AWS) is one of the largest and most well recognized organizations within the welding industry. They offer AWS certification, as well as welding training scholarships.

This scholarship is designed for students seeking welder training in a certificate program. The scholarships are given out based on geographic locations. If awarded, the scholarship amount will be paid directly to the academic institution.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000

Number of Scholarships Available: 25 per year

You May Be Eligible If…

• You reside within one of the AWS Districts (see map).
• You are planning on attending welder training at a trade school, community college or other welder training facility.
• You are not a Section officer or related to a Section officer.
• You are not a Selection Committee member or family member of one.

Application Dates: The annual scholarship is open until November 30, and awards are selected on a rolling basis. Please check the website for updated dates and information.

How to Apply: You will first need to register for a profile on the AWS scholarship web page. Then, you will be able to write a personal statement and input career objectives. After that, you can search for scholarships based on geographic location and your academic profile. There may be additional documentation and references required to submit an application.

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Manufacturing Scholarship

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT) is the charitable foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA). NBT’s mission is to keep manufacturing in America vital by offering scholarships and other programs to support students developing careers within the manufacturing industry.

NBT offers scholarships of up to $3,500 for students pursuing degrees that lead to manufacturing careers. Welding is a skilled trade that is used in thousands of manufacturing activities. Welding is an approved field of study for the NBT trade school scholarships.

Scholarship Amount: Up to $3,500

Number of Scholarships Available: Not disclosed

You May Be Eligible If…

• You are currently enrolled or entering a full-time certificate or degree program that will lead to a manufacturing career.
• You hold at least a 2.5 GPA (for technical school applications).

Application Dates: There are two open application periods per year, between January and March and between July and September. Please check the NBT scholarships page for the most updated information.

How to Apply: You must submit an online application and an official high school or college transcript from the school where you completed your last semester.

Women in the Skilled Trades Scholarship

The Women in the Skilled Trades Scholarship is specifically for women attending Tulsa Welding School (TWS) who demonstrate financial need.

Scholarship Amount: Up to $3,000

Number of Scholarships Available: Limited amounts available, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis

You May Be Eligible If…

• You are a woman currently enrolled in a TWS training program and can demonstrate financial need.
• You have applied for the FAFSA and accepted all financial aid.
• You have had no lapse in registration or break in attendance.

Application Dates: A scholarship application may be submitted anytime after enrolling in a TWS program. Scholarships will be distributed over the duration of the program.

How to Apply: Fill out a scholarship application and submit it to the TWS Scholarship Selection Committee, along with a driver’s license or ID card.

StrataTech Scholarships for TWS Students

StrataTech, the parent company of TWS, offers three additional scholarship opportunities exclusively for TWS students:

STEG Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Amount: $500 or more

You May Be Eligible If…

• You demonstrate financial need, have completed a FAFSA and have accepted all awarded aid.
• You are already enrolled in a TWS training program.

StrataTech High School Senior of Distinction Scholarship

Scholarship Amount: $1,500

You May Be Eligible If…

• You are a recent high school graduate or graduating senior with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and are currently enrolled in a TWS program with an applicable start date.

StrataTech Most Deserving of an Opportunity Scholarship

Scholarship Amount: $1,000

You May Be Eligible If…

• You have demonstrated excellence of character, leadership, respect and integrity.
• You need financial assistance.

Each of these scholarships is meant for students who have met the regular requirements for enrollment in a TWS training program and have already determined a start date.

Number of Scholarships Available: Scholarships may be limited in availability and dependent on enrollment dates.

Application Dates: Scholarship applications may be accepted on a rolling basis after enrollment.

How to Apply: For each of these StrataTech scholarships, you must contact your Financial Advisor to learn more about how to apply. Call 1-855-237-7711 to speak with a TWS Financial Aid Advisor.

Beyond Welding Scholarships: Financial Aid to Help Fund Your Training

Welding scholarships aren’t your only option for funding your welding training. You could also be eligible for grants and students loans. Applying for financial aid can be the first step to discovering the funding available to you.