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Welding Scholarships
Did you know there are scholarships for attending welding school? Explore our list of welding scholarships and begin your education with TWS today!
Financial Aid for Training for a Career Fusing Metal
Did you know you could receive a scholarship simply for choosing welding training? That’s right. Several organizations offer financial aid to help students fund their welding education.
TWS Scholarship Requirements:
- Before you can apply for a welding scholarship, you must meet all regular admissions requirements and be scheduled to start welding training.
- You will be placed in a class or shift based on availability. A welding scholarship can’t be transferred from one shift or program to another.
- If you change your school start date, you could lose the scholarship.
Scholarships for Welding Students
American Welding Society Scholarships
Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society (AWS) is a nonprofit organization where their mission is to further the technology, science and application of welding, cutting, soldering, brazing and thermal spraying. The AWS works to advance the welding industry through action and thought.
The organization strives to encourage new generations to seek careers in welding through certifications, publications, conferences and scholarships.i The foundation awards more than $1 million in scholarships to welding students each year.ii
What is it?
- A scholarship for students in welding training at a trade school. Each of the AWS’ 22 Districts has 25 scholarships to offer in 2024. The award amount for each scholarship is $1,000.
When is it?
- Students attending welding school or training before September 2025.
- Applications are accepted year-round and selections are made on a rolling basis until the District awards the designated funds for the year or by December 15th 2024. Applications received prior to November 30th will be eligible for any funds remaining in that calendar year.
- If you apply before November 30, you could qualify for funds from the remaining calendar year. Applying after November 30 may qualify you for funds distributed in the following calendar year.
Who can apply?
- Only students planning on attending a welding training program, like those at TWS, for up
to two years. This scholarship cannot be used towards a 4-year program. - You must live in one of the AWS’ 22 Districts.iii See Map.
- Section officers and their families do not qualify.
- Section Selection Committee members and their families are not eligible.iv
How to apply?
- You can apply for the 2024 Welder Training Scholarship online. Apply Online.
What is it?
- Donor-funded scholarships for students planning on earning a bachelor’s or associate degree in welding, like the degree TWS offers, or a related discipline. More than 60 scholarships are available. Award amounts are a minimum of $1,000 annually for students earning an associate degree in welding.
When is it?
- The AWS National Scholarship Deadline is March 1. Students must apply by this date to be
considered for the following fall term.
Who can apply?
- Students seeking a welding or welding-related degree at an accredited 4-year or 2-year
university, college or trade school. - AWS membership may be necessary. Visit the AWS Student Membership page.
- Applicants’ financial need may also be consideredv.
How to apply?
- Use the AWS Scholarship Application System.
What is it?
- Scholarships for students planning on earning a bachelor’s degree, welding associate degree, like the one at TWS, or a certificate in one of the AWS’ 22 Districts (See Map). Scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $2,500+.
When is it?
- The deadline for the AWS District Scholarship is March 1 for those sending their applications to the AWS Foundation office. Awards are typically made from May to June and the funds distributed the following fall term.
Who can apply?
- Visit the AWS Scholarship Application System to see eligibility requirements for the AWS District Scholarship.
How to apply?
- Use the AWS Scholarship Application System.
What is it?
- Local AWS members, donors and companies fund scholarships for students in their AWS Section. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more.vi
Who can apply?
- Eligibility requirements are dependent on the specific scholarship. View this list of scholarships for more details.vii
When is it?
- Deadlines for the AWS Section-Named and District-Named Scholarships vary. Check with your section or district website. View a list of scholarships with links to respective district and section websites here.
The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International, (FMA) Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Scholarship
The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International, (FMA) was founded in 1970 and is a professional organization with more than 2,500 individual and company members from the metal fabricating and equipment manufacturing industries.
Its mission is to champion for the growth and sustainability of the North American metal forming, processing and fabricating industries through technology councils, educational programs and scholarships and the FABTECH trade show.viii
What is it?
- Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs (NBT) is a scholarship for students seeking degrees that will lead to careers in manufacturing. Award amounts can range from $1,500 to $2,500.ix
When is it?
Application Process Opens July 1, 2025, and Closes September 30, 2025
Who can apply?
- Students who are entering or currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program that could lead to a career in manufacturing.
- Note: Welding is one of the recommended fields of study for NBT scholarship consideration.
- Enrollment must be full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester).
- If attending a trade school, the student must have a 2.5 GPA. University students must hold a 3.0 GPA.xi
How to apply?
- Submit an application online.
SME Education Foundation Scholarship
SME created the SME Education Foundation in 1979 to inspire, prepare and support students pursuing manufacturing careers at every level. Since its founding, the group has provided more than $33 million in awards, grants and scholarships. The group has also partnered with foundations, corporations, organizations and individual donors to support student education and outreach programs.xv
What is it?
- The SME Education Foundation scholarship is for students pursuing an associate degree in manufacturing engineering technology or a closely related field at an accredited trade school. Between $1,000 and $6,000 is awarded for tuition, books or course/lab fees.xvi
When is it?
- The deadline for the SME Education Foundation scholarship was on February 1, 2021.
- Registered students will be notified in September to get ready for the 2024/2025 school year application process starting in November.
Who can apply?
- Eligibility requirements vary with the specific scholarship you’re applying for. See a list of scholarships and their requirements here.
How to apply?
- Register today to be automatically notified when the application for the 2024/2025 school year opens in November. Register online.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help
We’re here to answer your questions and walk you through the scholarship application process, from filling out forms to providing enrollment verification letters. Call us to get started with your scholarship application.
Additional Sources
i https://www.aws.org/about/
ii https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/scholarships
iii https://app.aws.org/sections/dist_list
iv https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/welder-training-scholarship
v https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/national-scholarships#Sections
vi https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/scholarships
vii https://www.aws.org/foundation/page/section-named-and-district-named-scholarships
viii https://www.fmanet.org/about-fma
ix https://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/scholarships
x https://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/scholarships#scholarship-deadlines
xi https://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/scholarships
xii https://www.ffa.org/about/
xiii https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/local-engagement-programs-scholarships/
xiv https://ffa.app.box.com/s/cf5bsl5dl9jowjr73ytljiidly9wvwke
xv https://www.smeef.org/about-smeef/who-we-are/
xvi https://www.smeef.org/sme-education-foundation-scholarships/scholarship-opportunities/
xvii https://precast.org/foundation/about/
xviii http://precast.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/NPCA-Foundation-Scholarship-19_int-april-1.pdf
