Since 1991, the AWS Foundation, Miller Electric and other organizations have helped students from around the world realize their dream of becoming a professional welder.
The scholarships help students with their financial obligations and expenses such as tuition and fees, books and other supplies.
If you are currently enrolled in a welding program or a related field, then consider applying for one of these scholarships. Recipients come from all walks of life.
Types of AWS Scholarships
The AWS offers six levels of scholarships:
- Welder Training Scholarship
- District Scholarships
- District-named & Section-Named Scholarships
- National Scholarships
- AWS International Welding Scholarships
- Educator Welding Scholarships
1. Welder Training Scholarship
This scholarship is available to AWS Districts to fund students seeking welder training through a trade school, community college, or other facility providing welder training programs.
The AWS Welder Training Scholarship is for students seeking welder training in a program up to two years and cannot be used for credits towards a four-year program.
You can view additional information about the Welder Training Scholarship here.
2. District Scholarships
District Scholarships, awarded annually at AWS District Conferences, provide funds that are payable directly to the school to which recipients have been accepted.
These funds can be used to help cover the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and related institutional costs.
You can view additional information about District Scholarships here.
3. District-named & Section-Named Scholarships
Several District-named and Section-named scholarships are awarded annually.
These scholarships vary in the applicant requirements, award amount, and application process.
You can view Section and District Named Scholarships here.
4. National Scholarships
National Scholarships, awarded annually, are for students pursuing a specific degree at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.
Individual scholarships are worth $3,000-$6,000+. The application deadline is February 15th.
Applicants need to plan in advance to take advantage of this program. The February 15th deadline is structured to provide funding for the following fall term.
View more information about individual National Scholarships here.
5. International Welding Scholarships
AWS International Scholarships are awarded to full-time international students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in joining sciences.
Applicants can enroll in accredited science programs at an institution anywhere in the world.
Learn more about the international welding scholarships here.
6. Educator Welding Scholarships
Educator Scholarships are awarded to current welding educators or individuals pursuing a career in welding education.
National-level scholarships require applicants to be enrolled in a college or university and be pursuing an AS, AAS, BS, MS, or PhD degree in an area related to welding.
District-level scholarship funds may be used for professional development courses. However, preference will be given to those applicants pursuing their AS, AAS, BS, MS, or PhD degree in an area related to welding.
Applicants must attend an educational institution within the boundaries of the pertinent AWS District in which they apply.
View the AWS Educator Scholarships here.
Other Scholarships
Howard E. and Wilma J. Adkins Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to a full-time junior or senior pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor’s degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. However, priority will be given to welding engineering students. A 3.2 or better grade point average in technical subjects with a 2.8 grade point average overall is required. Financial need is not a consideration.
Airgas – Jerry Baker Scholarship – Awarded to a full-time undergraduate pursuing a minimum four-year degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology; however, priority will be given to welding engineering students interested in pursuing a career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor. Applicant must have a minimum 2.8 overall grade point average, with a 3.0 grade point average in engineering courses. Financial need is not required to qualify. Priority will be given to those individuals residing or attending schools in the states of Alabama, Georgia or Florida. (A resident is defined as having lived in the specific area for a minimum of one year.)The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or Canada and plan to attend an academic institution located within the United States or Canada. The award is $2,500, and is granted on an annual basis. The application deadline is February 15, for the following fall term. Funding is made available June 1 – May 31.
Airgas – Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship – The Airgas – Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelors degree in welding engineering (WE) or welding engineering technology (WET); however, priority will be given to welding engineering (WE) students interested in pursuing a career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor.
Arsham Amirikian Engineering Scholarship – Awarded to an undergraduate pursuing a minimum of four-year degree in civil engineering or welding related program at an accredited university. Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average. Proof of financial need is required to qualify. The applicant must be a citizen of the United States and plan to attend an accredited engineering school located within the United States.
Jack R. Barckhoff Welding Management Scholarship Awarded to a college junior pursuing a minimum four-year bachelors degree in welding engineering at The Ohio State University. The applicant must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average. Applicant will be expected to enroll and complete the 2-hour c edit course in Total Welding Management at The Ohio State University during his/her senior year. Proof of financial need is not required to qualify. The applicant must be a citizen of the United States. Applicant must complete a 300-500 word essay on how they see their role once they have graduated in improving the world of welding and the welding industry in the United States. And, how will they use their education to improve the U. S. competitive position in welding and manufacturing. Two awards for $2,500 each are available.
D. Fred and Mariam L. Bovie Scholarship Awarded to a full-time undergraduate pursuing a minimum four-year degree in welding engineering at The Ohio State University. The applicant must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average. Financial need is not required to qualify. Electrical engineering candidates will be considered if there are no qualified welding engineering candidates. The applicant must be a citizen of the United States. One award for $3,000 is available. The application deadline is February 15, for the following fall term. Funding is available June 1 – May 31.
Edward J. Brady Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor’s degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. Priority will be given to welding engineering students. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 overall average, provide a letter of reference indicating prior hands-on welding experience and complete an essay on “Why I want to Pursue a Career in Welding.” Proof of financial need is required.
William A. and Ann M. Brothers Scholarship – The William A. and Ann M. Brothers Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year degree in a welding or welding related program at an accredited university.
Donald F. Hastings Scholarship – Awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor’s degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. Priority will be given to welding engineering students. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 overall grade point average. Proof of financial need is required.
Donald and Shirley Hastings Scholarship – Awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor’s degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. Priority will be given to welding engineering students. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 overall grade point average. Proof of financial need is required.
William B. Howell Memorial Scholarship – The William B. Howell Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year degree in a welding program at an accredited university.
Hypertherm – International HyTech Leadership Scholarship – Awarded to a graduate student pursuing an advanced degree in engineering management within the welding and cutting industry. Applicant must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree or be in the final year, and have been accepted for graduate work in engineering management at an accredited graduate school. Applicant must have graduated within a minimum overall grade point average of 2.8. Financial need is not required, however, priority will be given to those demonstrating a financial need. The applicant must complete a personal statement with text addressing a proposed advanced academic and post-academic plans. The applicant may be a citizen of any country and plan to attend an academic institution located in any country. The award is $2,500, and is granted on an annual basis. The application deadline is February 15, for the following fall term. Funding is made available June 1- May 31.
John C. Lincoln Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor’s degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. Priority will be given to welding engineering students. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 overall grade point average. Proof of financial need is required.
James A. Turner, Jr., Memorial Scholarship – Awarded to a full-time student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor of business degree, leading to a management career in welding store operations or a welding distributorship. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma and be employed by a welding store or distributorship at least 10 hours a week.
Past President Scholarship – The Past Presidents Scholarship was established by contributions from individuals who have served as AWS President, supplemented by contributions from the American Welding Society, in recognition of the years of dedication given by those who have served as President. One Award will be presented annually for $2,500.The deadline to apply is February 15, of each year.
Robert L. Peaslee Brazing Scholarship – Awarded to a college junior or senior pursuing a minimum four year bachelors degree, or graduate degree student, in an engineering school program with an emphasis on Brazing Applications. Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 in engineering courses. Financial need is not required to qualify. The applicant may be a citizen of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, and be attending an academic institution located within the United States or Canada. The award is $2,500, and is granted on an annual basis. The application deadline is February 15, for the following fall term. Funding is made available June 1 – May 31.
Resistance Welder Manufacturers’ Association Scholarship – Awarded to a college junior pursuing a minimum four year bachelors degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. The applicant must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average. The applicant must express an interest in the resistance welding process. The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or Canada and plan to attend an academic institution located with the U. S. or Canada. Financial need is not required. Applicant must complete an essay of 500 words or less about why the student wishes to become involved in the resistance welding industry. The award is for $2,500, and the deadline is February 15, for the following Fall term
AWS Section Named Welding Scholarships
SECTION NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS
Dietrich and Betty Roth Scholarship – This scholarship is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Roth for a student pursuing a two-year or four-year degree in welding in the state of Michigan. The student must have completed their first year of higher education, be a full time student, and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Proof of financial need is required. Preference will be given to students in the field of resistance welding. The deadline is March 15, of each calendar year for the fall semester. The award is $2,500.For an application, please contact Vicki Pinsky at [email protected] or call 800-443-9353 x212.
O. J. Templet Memorial – Baton Rouge Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by BR Welding Supply and other donors in memory of O.J. Templet, The award is $750.
Amos and Marilyn Winsand – Detroit Section Named ScholarshipThe Amos and Marilyn Winsand-Detroit Section Named Scholarship has been established, and is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Winsand and the AWS Detroit Section. Mr. Winsand is an AWS Foundation Trustee and former AWS Treasurer. The recipient must be enrolled in a two or four-year program, and be a resident of Michigan or attend a Michigan college. The Scholarship is for an Associate or Bachelors degree in Welding Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology, or a related field, and the funds are for tuition, books, and/or lab fees.
George Kampschafer – Houston Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section to honor George Kampschafer. The award is $500.
Dr. Daryl Morgan – Houston Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section to honor Dr. Morgan. The award is $500.
Ronald Theiss – Houston Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section to honor Ron Theiss. The award is $1,000.
Paul O’ Leary Memorial – Idaho/Montana Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship honors Paul’s dedication to hard work, academics, welding, and his love for Montana. To be considered for this scholarship one must provide evidence of a strong work background, hands-on welding experience, academic excellence, and a residency or college tie to Montana. The student must be enrolled full time in a 2- or 4-year welding or metallurgy program. Proof of financial need is required to qualify. For more information or a scholarship application, contact Nancy Carlson by email at [email protected] or telephone 208-523-9128. The deadline is March 1st, for the following Fall term.
Lehigh Valley Section – Professor Robert D. Stout ScholarshipThis award is sponsored by the AWS Lehigh Valley Section to honor Dr. Stout. The award is $1,250.
Ronald C. and Joyce Pierce – Mobile Section Named ScholarshipThe award is sponsored by Ronald C. Pierce, Chairman, AWS Foundation, AWS Past President, and Joyce Pierce, to pursue a degree in engineering. The student must have a minimum 2.7 overall grade point average, and be a full-time college sophomore, junior, or senior. The award is $2,500.
Shelton L. Ritter – New Orleans Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the New Orleans Section. The award is $1,250.
AWS Northwest Section ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the Northwest Section. The award is $500.
James W. Gardner – Ozark Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the Ozark Section and numerous friends and family. The award is $500.
Puget Sound Section #41 ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the Pugent Sound Section. The award is $500.
Tri-Tool – Sacramento Section Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by Tri-Tool, Inc. and the AWS Sacramento Section. The award is $1,000.
Louis DeFreitas – Santa Clara Section Named Scholarship – The award is sponsored by the Santa Clara Section in honor of Louis DeFreitas, a long-time member of the Section. The award is $3,000.
Donald and Jean Cleveland – Willamette Valley Section Named Scholarship – This award is sponsored by Donald and the late Jean Cleveland in memory of their parents John and Tressie Barrong and Claude and Ruth Cleveland. The award is $1,250.
District Named ScholarshipsAWS District 3 Scholarship – Sponsored by District 3 and the Baltimore Section. The Award is $500. District 3 Shirley Bollinger Scholarship Shirley Bollinger received a Bachelors Degree form York College in 1986 with a dual major in Marketing & Business Administration. It took Shirley 8 years of night school to fulfill her dream of a college degree. While pursuing her education at night, she also maintained a full-time job, and was the mother of 2 very active children. Shirley was employed full time from 1977 to 2000 with ESAB Welding & Cutting Products in Hanover, PA. She was a very active member on the York-Central Section in York, PA where she served in many different capacities, eventually as Chairman from 1988-1989. Shirley served on the AWS Board as a District 3 Director from 1990 to 1997. Eventually Shirley reached her goal as the first woman President of the American Welding Society from 1998 to 1999. With this scholarship, District 3 hopes to encourage and help students to further their education in welding and to keep Shirley’s legacy of secondary education alive. This scholarship is to pursue a minimum four-year bachelors degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. The annual award is $1,250, and the deadline is March 1st.
Nancy and Barry Carlson – District 20 Scholarship – Nancy Carlson spent 26 years at DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory in the nondestructive evaluation group working with the welding group on sensing and control of welding processes. During that time she was actively involved in the American Welding Society – locally serving as a section officer for the Idaho/Montana section, regionally as District director of ID, MT, WY, CO, NM, and UT for three years, and nationally serving as a committee member and chairman of the AWS Education Scholarship Committee for over a decade. None of her AWS activities would have been possible without the support of her husband and daughter.Barry Carlson served his country for 20 years in the US Navy both in wartime and peacetime and had the opportunity to also teach basics electricity and electronics school in Great Lakes. His Navy years allowed him to spend significant time in the Pacific and allowed him to help many junior enlisted members of the electrical and engineering division learn their craft.
This scholarship is available to honorably discharged veterans or non-traditional welding students in at least their second year of welding studies in either a 2-year or 4-year undergraduate welding program.
The award is $500, and the first award will be made in late 2013. For more information, contact the AWS Foundation, 800-443-9353, x250, or email to [email protected].
Bill Myers – District 6 Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the former AWS Allegheny Section. The Award is $500.
Ed Cable-Bug-O – District 7 Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by Bug-O Systems and is for a student pursuing a certificate or degree in welding or a related field with an interest in welding automation or mechanization. The student must be full time with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have an interset in welding automation or mechanization. The award is $1,250.
Detroit Arc Welding – District 11 Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Detroit Section. The Award is $1,250.
Detroit Resistance Welding – District 11 Named ScholarshipThis scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Detroit Section. The Award is $1,250.
Miller Electric Welding Scholarship
To become eligible for the Miller Electric International World Skills Competition Scholarship, the applicant must compete in the National Skills USA Competition for welding and advance to the AWS Weld Trials at the AWS International Welding and Fabricating Exposition and Convention, which is held on a bi-annual basis.
The scholarship will be awarded under the following guidelines.
The winner of the U.S. Weld Trial Competition will receive the following:
- The Miller Electric Mfg. Co. Scholarship consisting of up to $10,000 per year for a period of four consecutive years (total maximum $40,000);
- Up to $1,000 in AWS Publications; a four-year complimentary full AWS membership;
- an AWS Certification to which he/she qualifies at the trials.
The runners-up of the U.S. Weld Trial Competition will receive:
- A $1,000 scholarship to be used within two years of the Weld Trial Competition;
- a one-year complimentary full AWS membership;
- an AWS Certification to which he/she qualifies at the trials.
Runners-up are eligible to receive awards on June 1, following the Weld Trial Competition and upon successful completion of the appropriate application information.
Scholarships to runners-up may be requested anytime within a two-year span of the Weld Trial Competition.
Educational purposes include any post-secondary course(s) related to the field of welding or related joining technologies (i.e. – certificate programs, two-year programs, four-year programs, seminars, workshops, certification courses, etc.).
Distribution of awards will be made directly to the student’s academic institution and/or educational organization.
No payment will be made to directly to the student. Students agree to participate in AWS, AWS Foundation and/or sponsored publicity related to the Weld Trial Competition.
Awarding of the scholarship shall be discretionary and subject to availability of funds.