AWS Foundation National Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by American Welding Society Foundation
About This Scholarship
The American Welding Society Foundation runs the largest scholarship program in the welding industry, distributing over $2.7 million across more than 1,600 scholarships in a recent cycle. Since 1993 the foundation has awarded over 18,000 welding scholarships totaling more than $15 million, backed by 130+ donor-funded national scholarships plus district and section awards -- each of AWS's 22 districts has a minimum of $15,000 available annually.
Awards support every level of welding education: short-term welder training certificates, associate degrees in welding technology, and bachelor's programs in welding engineering. National scholarships typically run $2,500 to $5,000 or more, with district and section awards from $1,000 up. Students in related engineering fields can qualify if their career objectives clearly relate to welding.
One online application automatically screens applicants for every scholarship they are eligible for. The main cycle opens December 1 and closes March 1, while the Welder Training Scholarship accepts applications on a rolling basis year-round.
Eligibility
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in a welding or welding-related program: welder training, welding technology, pipe welding, underwater welding, or welding engineering
- Four-year students in civil, mechanical, industrial, or aerospace engineering qualify if career objectives are clearly welding-related
- High school seniors, trade/technical students, and current college students may apply
- Individual named scholarships may add criteria (GPA, state, program type) -- the portal matches you automatically
- No application fee
How To Apply
- Create a profile on the AWS scholarship portal at scholarship.aws.org with contact information, academic history, and a personal statement
- Apply between December 1 and March 1 for national, district, and section scholarships (the Welder Training Scholarship runs year-round)
- The system automatically considers you for every award you qualify for; announcements go out May through July
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be studying welding specifically?
Welding and welding-technology programs at every level qualify, from short-term certificates to welding engineering degrees. Students in related engineering majors can also qualify if their career goals are clearly tied to welding.
Is there a separate application for each scholarship?
No. One online profile automatically determines your eligibility for all available national, district, and section scholarships -- over 130 national awards plus district funds.