Many colleges and universities that offer welding programs provide institutional grants and scholarships to students based on financial need, demonstrated ability, and achievement. In order to receive consideration for an institutional grant or scholarship award, you should speak with your financial aid award.
The American Welding Society provides a District Scholarship that covers the cost of tuition, books, supplies and other applicable expenses. In order to apply for an AWS scholarship, you need to download and complete an online application. You'll need to include a statement of financial need, transcripts, a personal statement, biography and a photo and submit it via mail. The annual deadline for award consideration is March and the scholarship is good from June until May. If part of the scholarship is not used, the remaining balance will be returned to the scholarship fund. In order to be eligibile, you must be a graduate of high school or have a GED and attend a school in the United States.
The Jerry Baker Scholarship provides funding for students who want to pursue a career in welding engineering. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, maintain full-time status, have at least a 2.8 GPA and a 3.0 in engineering courses. Although financial need is not required, higher priority is given to those with financial difficulty. Applicants need to be a U.S. or Canadian citizen planning to attend school in either the United States or Canada. The award may be granted for a maximum of four years, up to $2,500 per year.
The Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance Scholarship provides financial assistance for those individuals who want to learn resistance welding and pursue a career in welding engineering. The scholarship is limited to U.S. and Canadian citizens in good academic standing. Scholarships are for junior students in a four year program with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Applicants must complete a 500-word essay about why they want to become a part of the resistance welding industry, have a recommendation from a faculty member or adviser and one from an employer, as well as complete a personal statement.
Under the Workforce Development Act, states are provided with federal funding to counter shortages in the workforce. In many states, welding is considered a career with a current and expected future shortage. Grants are provided to eligible students attending specific schools. If you want to apply for a grant to attend welding school, contact your state’s workforce development center through a state or county office to speak with a specialist and become registered with the office in your state. The grant can help cover the costs of tuition, books and other expenses for welding school.