Financial Aid to Train for Careers in the Skilled Trades

Scholarships aren’t just for university and college students—students who are training for the skilled trades can also get this sort of financial aid. Discover which scholarships could help you fund your investment in trade schooli.

TWS Scholarship Requirements:

  • Before applying for a scholarship, you will need to meet all standard admissions requirements and be scheduled to start training.
  • Placement in shifts and classes is based on availability. Students may not transfer scholarships from one shift or program to another.
  • Loss of a scholarship may result in three cases
    • You change your start date.
    • The average grade you earn for any course falls below a “B.”
    • Your rate of attendance drops below 90 percent.

Scholarships for Trade School Students

  • TrustedPros.com Scholarship ($1,000)

    American homeowners have relied on TrustedPros to find and hire qualified contractors for home improvement projects since 2004. Thanks to the site’s customer reviews and ratings, as well as TrustRank’s business rating system, customers can screen contractors before hiring them, helping to ensure quality workii.

    To help meet the demand for construction and home improvement specialists with the right skills in the coming years, TrustedPros created a scholarship program for students pursuing skilled trades training.

    What is it?

    • A $1,000 scholarship for students enrolled in a residential renovation or construction trade-related training programiii.

    When is it?

    • The deadline for the TrustedPros.com Scholarship is December 15 of each calendar year.
    • Awards are announced on January 15 of the following calendar yeariii.

    Who can apply?

    • U.S. or Canadian trade school students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higheriii.
    • Applicants must also have a demonstrated financial neediii.

    How to apply?

    • Write an essay of at least 1,000 words discussing how the trade you’re training to enter could be improvediii.
    • Submit the essay, a copy of your most recent transcript and a letter demonstrating financial need to [email protected]iii.

National Technical Honor Society Scholarships

The National Technical Honor Society was founded in 1984 with the mission to honor
student leadership and achievement in career and technical education, enhance career
opportunities for NTHS members, promote educational excellence and award scholarships. Since that time, the NTHS has awarded more than $2 million in scholarshipsiv.

  • Jon H. Poteat Scholarship ($1,000)

    What is it?

    • The Jon H. Poteat Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship for current NTHS members who have not yet graduated from their trade school training program.

    When is it?

    • The application for the Jon H. Poteat Scholarship is open from September 1 to May 31.
    • NTHS will award scholarships to 250 winners on June 15.

    Who can apply?

    • Eligible NTHS members.

    How to apply?

    • NTHS members who qualify can simply login to the site, click on the “NTHS Scholarships” tile and then click “Apply Now” under the description of the Jon H. Poteat Scholarship. Click here to login to the member portalv.
    • If you’re not a NTHS member but want to join, Click here to learn how. The main requirement to join is to be enrolled in a trade school or be planning to enroll after high school graduation. The cost is a one-time fee of $30. Read other requirements here.
  • NCCER & Build Your Future/NTHS Scholarship ($2,000)

    What is it?

    • Five scholarships of $2,000 each for current NTHS members training for a career in the construction tradesvi.

    When is it?

    • The application window for the NCCER & Build Your Future/NTHS Scholarship is October 1 through March 1. This is an annual scholarship, so check back at the website for when the next application window opens.

    Who can apply?

    • Students who are currently NTHS members and training for the construction trades.v
    • Learn more about becoming a member of the NTHS here.

    How to apply?

    • Current NTHS members can login to the member portal to apply.
  • SkillsUSA/NTHS Scholarships

    What is it?

    • Numerous scholarship opportunities for current members of NTHS and SkillsUSA.

    When is it?

    • The application window for the SkillsUSA/NTHS Scholarship is January 4 through April 2. This is an annual scholarship, so check back for the next application window dates.

    Who can apply?

    • Students who are active members of NTHS and SkillsUSAix.
    • See additional requirements here.

    How to apply?

Imagine America Foundation Scholarships

Established in 1982, the Imagine America Foundation (IAF) supports students at all phases of their paths through technical education research, career college training initiatives and scholarships for trade school students. The organization also promotes the benefits of career colleges to the general public. Since its inception, IAF has awarded more than $190 million to career college and university studentsx.

  • Imagine America Foundation Scholarship for High School Students ($1,000)

    What is it?

    • Scholarships for high school seniors or recent high school graduates planning on enrolling or already enrolled in skilled trades training at an IAF-partner school. The scholarship award amount is $1,000.

    When is it?

    • Deadlines through this program vary with the scholarship. Complete the online application process for specific dates.

    Who can apply?

    • High school seniors or recent graduates pursuing vocational training at an IAF-partner schoolxi.

    How to apply?

  • Imagine America Foundation Scholarship for Adult Students ($1,000)

    What is it?

    • A scholarship for students 19 and older who are planning to train or already enrolled in a career education program. The scholarships award amount is $1,000vii.

    When is it?

    • Deadlines for the Imagine America Foundation Scholarship for Adult Students vary. Complete the online application for more details.

    Who can apply?

    • Students who are 19 years or older and planning on enrolling or already enrolled in a career education programxii.

    How to apply?

AmericanTrucks Student Scholarship Program

AmericanTrucks is an online retailer of light-duty pickup trucks that was founded in April 2017. A subsidiary of Turn5, Inc, the company sells parts and accessories for the Ford F150, Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram and other domestic trucksxiii.

Through its Positive Payload program, the company strives to help close the skills gap in the traditional building trades. To date, AmericanTrucks has contributed over $15,000 to local non-profit organizations. The company awards two scholarships valued at $2,500 each yearix.

  • AmericanTrucks Student Scholarship ($2,000)

    What is it?

    • A $2,500 scholarship for skilled trades training. You may apply for more than one scholarship while in school. Limit one scholarship per an award cycle.vix

    When is it?

    • There are two deadlines for AmericanTrucks’ Scholarships.
      • Spring Scholarship: 12:00 p.m. on October 15
      • Fall Scholarship: 12:00 p.m. on June 15
    • Winners are notified by June 15 for the fall scholarship and November 15 for the spring scholarship.vix

    Who can apply?

    • High school seniors planning on attending an accredited building trades program in the next academic year.
    • Full-time technical school students preparing for careers in the building trades.vix

    How to apply?

    • Write an essay of 750-1500 words. Explain who you are and the role you plan to play in a thriving community of trade workers who are committed to hands-on training.vix
    • Submit the essay as a Microsoft Word document or PDF here. Include proof of enrollment. Click here to learn more about scholarships offered by AmericanTrucks.vix

Workforce Solutions Scholarship (Houston Campus)

Workforce Solutions is an operating affiliate of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board. Serving the 13-county Houston-Galveston region of Texas, the public workforce system assists local workers in advancing their careers and employers in meeting their talent needs.xiv

The organization helps people find and retain jobs, as well as land better jobs. It offers career counseling, job search assistance and financial aid for skilled trades training.x This includes funding scholarships for training in certain high-skill, high-growth occupations.

  • Workforce Solutions Scholarship

    What is it?

    • Scholarship funding for skilled trades training for Houston-area residents.

    When is it?

    • Applications are accepted on a year-round basis.

    Who can apply?

    • Students receiving training at Tulsa Welding School’s Houston campus.
    • Residents of Harris, Austin, Chambers, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Colorado, Gaveston, Matagorda, Liberty, Montgomery, Walker, Wharton or Waller counties.xv
    • Those who meet other eligibility requirements: age, work status, family income.xi
    • Students who have completed Workforce Solutions’ Financial Aid Application and provided proof of eligibility.xi

    How to apply?

SkillsUSA-Related Scholarships

Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA is a national membership association for middle school, high school and trade school students preparing for careers in the skilled trades. The organization partners with industry, students and teachers to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Throughout its history, SkillsUSA has served more than 13.5 million members.xvi

SkillsUSA advances its mission by local chapter educational programs, district and state conferences and the SkillsUSA Championships.xii Through partnerships with other organizations, SkillsUSA offers several scholarships to eligible members.xvii

  • Fine Homebuilding and SkillsUSA #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship ($2,500)

    What is it?

    • Scholarships for SkillsUSA members who are planning to or currently training for careers in construction-related fields.

    When is it?

    • Check the website for the application deadline. Click here.

    Who can apply?

    • Members of SkillsUSA.
    • Students planning to or currently pursuing training for careers in the construction trades.xviii

    How to apply?

    • Contact your Financial Aid Advisor.
  • SkillsUSA National Championships Scholarship

    What is it?

    • A national competition for high school seniors judged by SkillsUSA judges with scholarships as the prizes. HVAC, welding fabrication and welding are the categories they can compete in.
    • Awards are 100 percent tuition for the first-place winner, 50 percent tuition for the second-place winner and 25 percent tuition for the third-place winner.

    When is it?

    • The 57th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference and SkillsUSA Championships will be held virtually this year; however, select competitions will have localized hands-on elements. The conference is scheduled for June 21 - 24, 2021.xix

    Who can apply?

    • SkillsUSA members.
    • First-place medalists selected on a competitive basis during state competitions.
    • Those who are registered with the organization and have attended the mandatory contest orientation meeting.xx
    • Additional contest rules and requirements can be found in the SkillsUSA
    • Championships Technical Standards. Click here for more information.

    How to apply?

    • In order to compete in the National Championships, you must be a member of SkillsUSA and win first place in the state competitions. Learn more here.
Enrollment

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help

Our financial aid advisors are standing by to answer your questions and help you with your scholarship applications, from filling out forms to providing letters to verify enrollment. Give us a call.

(855) 232-0586

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