The American Welding Society offers multiple scholarship funds that, once awarded, are payable directly to the school to which you have been accepted. It will cover the cost of tuition, books, supplies and related institutional costs.
National, District, Section and Welder Training Scholarships are available for students pursuing education in welding or welding-related programs trade/technical schools, community colleges and universities. Your Academic Profile will determine the specific scholarships you are eligible for.
What is the deadline to apply?
The deadline for National and District Scholarships is March 1st. Most Section Scholarship applications are due March 1, however some have later deadlines. The deadline for each scholarship will be indicated in the application.
Can students from other countries apply?
Many scholarships are restricted to U.S. Citizens. The District Scholarship is available to students of any country but they must be enrolled in a U.S. school in order for the funds to be remitted to the school. The AWS Foundation offers an International Scholarship. More information can be found on the International Scholarship webpage.
What is the amount of the scholarship awards?
The National Scholarships range from $2,500 to $5,000 or more. The District Scholarship average award amount is $1,500, but can range from $1,500 to $2,000 or more based on the quality and quantity of applicants.
What eligibility requirements must I meet to receive a District Scholarship?
- Most importantly, you must be enrolled in a welding-related educational or training program.
- You must also be a high school graduate or possess a GED equivalent.
- The school you attend must be in the United States or its territories, except for international scholarships.
- You must also fill out the scholarship application and provide any documentation requested in the application instructions.
- You are not required to be a member of the American Welding Society.
How do I determine which District or Section I am in?
The AWS Foundation will do this based on the county and/or zip code you enter for your current address, permanent address, and school address.
Who is eligible for the National Scholarship program?
The National Scholarship is available to students pursuing a two-year or four-year degree in welding engineering, welding engineering technology, materials joining, materials joining engineering, civil engineering, and other related programs.
How is financial need determined?
Financial need is determined based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) and your cost of attendance. Some scholarships take financial need into consideration, but many AWS scholarships do not.
What kind of financial aid is available through the AWS Scholarship Program?
AWS offers scholarship funds that, once awarded, are payable directly to the school to which you have been accepted. It will assist in covering the cost of tuition, books, supplies and related institutional costs.
When should I apply?
The application opens in December with March 1st deadlines. Selections are made May through June and recipients are notified by July or August.
- You must apply for each year you wish to receive aid. For example, if you were awarded a scholarship for this year, you must reapply for aid for the coming year.
- Selections are affected by the number of applicants, their respective qualifications and funds available. If you are selected to receive a scholarship during any fiscal year, AWS is not obligated to continue financial assistance for subsequent years.
- Whether or not you have been selected for a scholarship, you will be notified.
May I change my field of study without losing financial assistance?
As the purpose of this scholarship program is to promote welding education, any decision affecting your field of study has a direct bearing on your eligibility. If you change your field of study to something other than welding, you will forfeit any future assistance from the AWS Foundation. If you wish to modify your courses or your field of study and are not sure how it affects your eligibility, contact the AWS Foundation office for guidance.
Are there any other scholarships I might be eligible for?
Some Sections post independent scholarship applications. Please check your section webpage for all available local scholarships. Find your section here: aws.org/membership/SectionsMap