Scholarship Value $1,000

Number of Scholarships 800

Program Overview

The AWS Welder Training Scholarship supports students enrolled in short-term welding certificate programs offered by trade schools, community colleges, or equivalent training facilities. It is explicitly for programs shorter than two years and is not applicable to associate or bachelor degree programs. Awards are provided to help cover the direct costs of vocational welding training. The program distributes a large number of modest scholarships each year to expand access to welding education.

Description: Scholarship funds are intended for certificate-level welder training at approved institutions and cannot be used toward degree programs.

• Supports certificate programs under two years
• Available to students in trade schools and community colleges
• Designed to offset direct training-related costs

Eligibility

Applicants must reside within the boundaries of an AWS District and plan to attend an eligible welding training program in the coming year. Certain individuals are disqualified from receiving awards, specifically Section officers and Section Selection Committee members, as well as their immediate family members. Eligibility is determined by the applicant’s academic profile and geographic location within AWS District boundaries. Applicants should confirm their District eligibility before applying.

Eligibility: Residence within an AWS District and enrollment or planned enrollment in an approved welding training program; exclusions apply for certain AWS officers and committee members and their families.

• Must reside in an AWS District
• Must be planning to attend an eligible welding training program
• Section officers and Selection Committee members (and their families) are ineligible

Application Timeline & Selection

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from December through November and are reviewed until each District’s designated funds are awarded for the year. Submissions received before the November due date remain eligible for remaining funds in that calendar year. Award decisions are made by different groups depending on the category, including AWS award subcommittees and standing committees assigned by subject area. Some awards or nominations are restricted from the public selection process due to administrative rules.

Application Timeline: Rolling submissions December–November; awards allocated until District funds are exhausted, with earlier applications considered for remaining yearly funds.

• Rolling selection throughout the application window
• District funds dictate award availability for the year
• Selection methods vary by award category; some nominations are restricted

Awards and Use of Funds

District scholarships are a minimum of $1,000 and up to the program’s annual allotment, with as many as 800 awards distributed in a year. Scholarship payments are not made directly to recipients; funds are issued payable to and sent directly to the educational institution. Eligible uses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the course of instruction. Recipients must redeem scholarships within one year of the award date.

Award Value: Minimum award amount is $1,000; funds are remitted directly to the institution and may be used for tuition and required course materials.

• Minimum award: $1,000
• Payments sent directly to the educational institution
• Funds cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and required equipment

Application Steps

Applicants must create an online profile, complete an academic profile, identify eligible scholarships, and submit references and required documentation. Use an email address that you will retain access to for at least 18 months when registering. The academic profile includes a personal statement and career objectives, which determine eligibility for specific scholarships based on profile and geographic location. Completing references and documentation is required to finalize each application.

Application Process:

Step 1: Register for a profile using a stable email address.

Step 2: Create an academic profile with personal statement and career objectives.

Step 3: Identify and apply to scholarships for which you are eligible.

Step 4: Provide references and any required supporting documentation to complete applications.

• Create and maintain an online profile with a reliable email
• Complete the academic profile to determine scholarship matches
• Submit references and required documents to finalize applications