TWS Blog

It’s 2019, and women are still a minority among welders.

The numbers are rising, but The American Welding Society estimates that just over 5 percent of welders are female.^[1] This can’t go on.

We need more women in skilled trades careers like welding to help rebuild our outdated and crumbling infrastructure. And scholarships and grants specifically for women are available to make it easier to pay for the training necessary to become a welder.

If you’re looking for a way to afford your education, below are five scholarship and grant options for women who want to enroll in welding training:

The Women in Skilled Trades Scholarship Program

TWS offers a Women in Skilled Trades Scholarship Program, which is a need-based scholarship for female students. Awards for this scholarship for women go up to $3,000.

If you want to apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in or accepted at a program at any TWS campus.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Apply for and accept all applicable state, agency and/or federal student aid.
• Demonstrate financial need as part of the financial aid application process.
• Have no lapse in registration or break in attendance.

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards is meant for women who are the primary sources of income for their families. It gives them the resources they need in order to advance in their education and career.

This grant can be used for tuition, books, childcare or transportation. There are three levels of cash awards: Local-level recipients are eligible for region-level awards of either $3,000 or $5,000. Region-level recipients can receive one of three international-level awards of $10,000.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be the primary financial support for their families.
• Be enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or undergraduate degree program.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be a resident of the Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries.

EWGA Foundation Women On Par® Scholarship

The Executive Women’s Golf Association created the Women on Par® Scholarship in 2007 to offer financial assistance to “non-traditional” female students.

This scholarship is designed for women who are age 30 or older, and who are pursuing postsecondary education for the first time or are returning to school after an absence to complete their education.

The EWGA provides one $1,000 and one $500 award.

To qualify for this scholarship, you must meet these requirements:

• Be at least 30 years old.
• Be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal resident.
• Pursue a technical/vocational program or associate/bachelor’s degree (first time or returning).
• Be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited school, college or university.
• Demonstrate financial need.

AAUW Career Development Grants

The Career Development Grant by the American Association of University Women is meant for women who already have a bachelor’s degree but wish to advance in their career, change careers or reenter the workforce.

Funding is prided for education that goes beyond a bachelor’s degree, such as a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program or specialized training.

The AAUW gives primary consideration to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in non-traditional fields. Awards range from $2000 to $12,000.

To qualify, you must meet these eligibility requirements:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident whose last degree was received before June 30, 2013.
• Be enrolled in or plan to enroll at an accredited two- or four-year college or university, or a fully licensed or accredited technical school in the U.S.

The Dwyer Group Women in the Trade (WITT) Scholarship

The Dwyer Group is one of the world’s largest franchising companies of trade service brands.

The company created the Women in the Trade (WITT) Scholarship in 2012. This scholarship is made available to women striving to start a career in the trades.

Each semester, several $1,500 scholarships are awarded to eligible applicants to cover tuition, books, travel and/or fees.  You do not need to be affiliated or associated with The Dwyer Group in order to apply.

To obtain this scholarship, you ought to meet these criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Attend an accredited trade or technical school or certification program in the United States or Canada for HVAC, plumbing, electrical repair, glass repair and replacement, appliance repair, fire and flood restoration, painting, landscaping residential cleaning or handyman services.^[2]

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education is a one-time need-based grant for women whose education has been interrupted and who wish to return to school to complete a degree or certification program.

This grant can only be applied to educational expenses, such as tuition, books, supplies, transportation or childcare. The maximum grant is $3,000. P.E.O. membership is not required.

The eligibility criteria for this grant are:

• Be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident.
• Seek to complete a degree or certification program necessary for improving or gaining skills leading to employment.

General Advice for Applying to Scholarships and Grants

These are scholarships specifically for women, but women are allowed to apply to as many scholarships and grants as possible. We recommend doing so to maximize your chances of acquiring one.

Carefully read the eligibility requirements and application details to make sure you can be considered. Submit your application early to get ahead of the competition. Any money from a scholarship or grant will help you significantly with the costs of postsecondary training.

Found the right scholarship but not sure how to proceed? Read up on how to apply for a welding scholarship: a step-by-step guide.