Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Updated: June 17, 2026

Trade School Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Many organizations offer scholarships for training programs to enter the skilled trades.
  • Demand for technicians in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector is growing at twice as fast as the national average for all occupations.
  • Enrollment at public, two-year institutions offering skilled trade certification has grown by 20% since 2020.

Scholarship availability, eligibility, and awards are not guaranteed and are subject to each school’s terms and selection criteria.

Technical or vocational schools, commonly called trade schools, train students to enter careers in the skilled trades. Standard programs typically take one or two years to complete.

Careers in welding, vehicle repair, construction, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) can offer job stability and growth potential. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 8% employment growth rate for HVAC mechanics and installers between 2024-2034. This is twice as fast as the average growth rate for all occupations.

Enrollment at public, two-year institutions offering skilled trade certification has grown by 20% since 2020, according to the National Student Clearinghouse.

If you decide to go to trade school, you might start thinking about how to finance the next step in your education. Scholarships are not just for four-year academic programs: many organizations also fund training programs in the trades.

This article covers what trade school scholarships are, how to find them, and who is eligible.

Jump to:

What are trade school scholarships?

Trade school scholarships are financial awards offered by private organizations to help fund your technical training.

These awards do not need to be repaid. They can supplement the amount of financial aid you receive in grants from your school, and help you reduce your reliance on student loans.

Trade school costs vary by school, region, degree type, and program length. For example, the net costs for a certification in combination welding at Tidewater Tech, a trade school program in Norfolk, VA, are $21,528 (before aid).

Costs may also vary for in-state versus out-of-state students. A full program at Kirkwood Community College in Tiffin, Iowa, which offers certification in the skilled trades, costs $14,198 for Iowa residents and $18,972 for out-of-state students.

In addition to financial aid from your school, you can finance your technical training through federal grants such as the Pell Grant, external scholarships, employment-sponsored programs, and employment income by working in trade school.

The 25 Best Trade School Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • Metal Supermarkets Trade School Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

Metal Supermarkets is proud to support the skilled trades, and we want to make it easier for students to pursue one of these viable, stable and well-paying careers. In an effort to lessen this current skilled trade worker shortage and raise awareness of the skilled trade careers, Metal Supermarkets is committed to providing students with financial support to continue their education, grow their

  • 2

  • Spark For the Future Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

The Spark for the Future Scholarship supports local Houston-area students pursuing higher education in welding and related metal-working specializations. This scholarship is open to students attending vocational programs, accreditation programs, and two- or four-year undergraduate institutions. Scholarship Details Award amount: $1,000 Tuition and fees only, paid directly to the

  • 3

  • The Home Depot Foundation Path to Pro Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to supporting U.S. veterans, addressing the skilled trades labor gap, and aiding communities affected by natural disasters. Through its Path to Pro program, the Foundation has committed $50 million to train the next generation of skilled tradespeople and bridge educational opportunities. Scholarship Details Path to Pro program focuses on training

  • 4

  • Vocational School Award

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

The Vocational award is intended for individuals who are residents of the Alle-Kiski Valley and will be graduating in the current year from a Alle-Kiski area high school with a documented financial need for for their post-secondary education. Scholarship Details Award ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 for one year. Intended to support vocational education. Eligibility Criteria

  • 5

  • Construction Angels Scholarship Fund

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJuly 3, 2026

Construction Angels, Inc. (CA) is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit charity that provides immediate financial assistance and grief counseling to the children and spouse left behind when a construction worker is involved in an accidental work-related fatality. We offer construction scholarship opportunities to qualified applicants and additional scholarships to surviving children/spouses of a fallen

  • 6

  • Nancy Hall Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineAugust 14, 2026

The Nancy Hall Memorial Scholarship was created to offer financial aid to women who are pursuing careers in material handling, warehousing and heavy equipment. This scholarship is open to any students that are located within the United States and are either entering or are currently enrolled in college in the year the scholarship is awarded. The student must express an interest in pursuing a

  • 7

  • Caleb Sabados Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineAugust 31, 2026

This $2,500 scholarship is designed to empower those pursuing a career in the trades to be resilient and honor Caleb’s drive to succeed in the face of change. These careers are challenging, rewarding, valuable, and resilient in the face of changing technology. At the end of the day, a tradesperson is someone who builds, creates, and fixes with their own two hands. Scholarship Details Award

  • 8

  • Castagra Roofing Scholarship

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineSeptember 4, 2026

The Castagra Roofing Scholarship Program is now open for applications! This program was developed to support individuals pursuing a career in roofing (or a similar field), who are passionate about innovation and sustainability. Scholarship Details Supports education or training in roofing or related fields (e.g., construction, waterproofing) Open college/vocational students and

  • 9

  • Rees Scholarship Foundation — HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineOctober 1, 2026

The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation was established to assist with the recruitment and competency of future heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians by awarding scholarships to qualified students who are enrolled in an institutionally accredited school. The Rees Scholarship Foundation offers multiple scholarship programs to support the HVACR

  • 10

  • Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineOctober 31, 2026

The Work Ethic Scholarship Program is giving away another $2,500,000 in scholarships this year. We’re looking for hardworking men and women who will keep the lights on, water running, and air flowing--people who will show up early, stay late, and bust their asses to get the job done. It's not for everyone, but we know hard workers are out there. Scholarship Details Total of $2.5 million

  • 11

  • Chicagoland Construction Scholarship Foundation

  • Amount$16,000
  • DeadlineDecember 26, 2026

The Chicagoland Construction Scholarship Foundation (CCSF) supports future construction leaders by offering renewable scholarships to qualified college students studying construction management or engineering. Scholarship Details Up to $4,000 per student per year Renewable for up to three years of undergraduate study For students pursuing construction-related

  • 12

  • Scholarships for Woodworking Manufacturing Students

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 31, 2027

Are you a student who is studying, or interested in studying, woodworking in college? WMIA is here to help. Every year, we give out scholarships to college students who want to study wood technology, machinery, and related fields. To date, the WMIA Education Foundation has awarded over $525,000 to 280 students. There are no restrictions based upon the employment status or the sex, race, creed, or

  • 13

  • Great Lakes Safety Training Center Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineFebruary 13, 2027

Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Foundation administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational students. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our 235+

  • 14

  • Alaska Airmen Scholarships

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 25, 2027

The Alaska Airmen are proud to support the growth of aviation as an industry and lifestyle. We partner with aviation legends to award scholarships each year, designed with the next generation of aviators in mind. We all know how expensive the aviation industry is, which is why we are so excited to give over ten thousand dollars towards a career in aviation. Our scholarships are as diverse as the

  • 15

  • AWS Arsham Amirikian Welding Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

The AWS Foundation National Scholarships are the most prestigious, high-dollar scholarships offered to students pursuing a bachelor’s or associate degree in welding or a related discipline. With over 130 donor-funded scholarships available, the program awards more than $700,000 annually. Scholarships range from $2,500 to over $10,000 and require applicants to submit references, transcripts, and

  • 16

  • Connecticut Building Congress Scholarships

  • Amount$32,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

Applications for the Connecticut Building Congress Scholarships are only accepted from Connecticut residents who will be studying construction industry-related subjects in college. We encourage applications from all Connecticut resident students regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, or any

  • 17

  • Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Technical School Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

RMMI is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the promotion of western mining through education. The Institute is proud to claim members from throughout the United States and Canada. Membership is diverse and includes individuals from both surface and underground mines, equipment manufacturers, service/supply firms, utilities, law firms, government, universities and colleges, financial

  • 18

  • Iowa Automobile Dealers Foundation for Education Scholarship

  • Amount$4,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

The IAD Foundation will award scholarships each spring. Applicants must be committed to pursuing automotive-related studies at a two- or four-year post-secondary institution and must demonstrate satisfactory performance in those studies. Students who have received scholarships come from all over Iowa. Most attend an Iowa community college. Many scholarship winners study to be automotive

  • 19

  • Drake-Williams Steel Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineMarch 13, 2027

Drake-Williams Steel is dedicated to helping youth in both the Denver and the Omaha/Council Bluffs areas to attend to and succeed in higher education institutions. The purpose of the DWS Scholarship program is to provide scholarships annually to high school seniors with the goal of pursuing a career in the welding industry. The recipient(s) will receive tuition funds to apply to a welding degree

  • 20

  • Discover Manufacturing Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 15, 2027

Since 2018, Discover Manufacturing has awarded over $64,500 in scholarships to outstanding students preparing for careers in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry. This scholarship program supports both graduating high school seniors and adults seeking technical training in manufacturing-related fields. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 based on application scores, with all recipients invited to a

  • 21

  • Southern Automotive Womens Forum Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMarch 23, 2027

The Southern Automotive Women’s Forum (SAWF) supports the advancement of women in automotive careers by encouraging young women to pursue STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and math. SAWF strives to inspire confidence, skills, and ambition among students, helping them explore opportunities in the automotive industry, from technicians to executives. Scholarship Details

  • 22

  • Lake Apopka Natural Gas District Skilled Trades Scholarship Program

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineMarch 31, 2027

This scholarship is designed to support graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue a trade or technical education and are committed to building hands-on skills that strengthen the communities of West Orange and South Lake Counties. At Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, we believe investing in the skilled trades is an investment in our future workforce and the quality of life in the areas we

  • 23

  • UAF Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineMarch 31, 2027

The goal with the Automotive Scholarships is to give some additional financial help to students seeking a career in the aftermarket, or who are from aftermarket families. The automotive aftermarket is an excellent career choice for those unsure about a college degree, and who may perhaps benefit from a vocation instead. Scholarship Details One application qualifies students for multiple

  • 24

  • Women in Forest Products High School Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 31, 2027

The Women in Forest Products High School Scholarship aims to support young women from Wisconsin pursuing careers in the forestry products field or paper industry. This $1,000 scholarship provides financial assistance to help cover educational expenses for students attending accredited institutions in Wisconsin. Scholarship Details Award amount: $1,000 Open to graduating female high school

  • 25

  • Society of Plastics Engineers Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$13,000
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

The SPE Foundation offers numerous scholarships to students who have demonstrated or expressed an interest in the plastics industry. They must be majoring in or taking courses that would be beneficial to a career in the plastics industry. This would include, but is not limited to, plastics engineering, polymer science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial

Frequently asked questions about trade school scholarships

Do trade schools offer financial aid?

Yes, accredited trade schools can offer a combination of federal student aid and institutional financial aid in grants.

Accredited trade schools accept the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). Students at these schools may be eligible for federal Pell Grants and other awards, just like students at four-year institutions.

They may also offer Federal Work-Study awards, which are amounts that you earn by working and do not need to be repaid.

Cost of attendance can vary significantly depending on region, program type, length of the degree, and financial aid.

You can use a school’s cost of attendance calculator to estimate how much aid you might receive, or contact the financial aid office directly.

Do trade school scholarships require a high school diploma or minimum GPA?

Trade school scholarships may be need-based or merit-based. Many merit-based trade school scholarships do not require high test scores or high grades. Instead, they require that you demonstrate merit through commitment to your occupation.

Some trade school scholarships do not require a minimum GPA or test scores to apply. Instead, they require that you demonstrate a commitment to work, and that you show motivation for the contributions you will make thanks to your training in the skilled trades.

For example, the Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship awards $20,000 to workers who are enrolled or planned to enrol in an approved trade program and who demonstrate a strong work ethic and a commitment to a skilled trade career.

The application requires two references from teachers and employers and a video submission explaining how you meet the criteria. While it also requires submitting school transcripts, there is no minimum GPA required to apply.

What are employer-sponsored programs?

Some employers might pay for your certification if you agree to return to work for them after completing your training. Talk to your employer to see if they offer opportunities for employer-sponsored training.

In these programs, you might be putting off working full-time while you are in school, on the condition that you develop in-demand skills that your organization will need in the future.

These agreements can come with constraints. For example, you may be required to meet a certain enrollment threshold, and you might have less flexibility to specialize in an area that is not specified by your agreement with your employer or is not needed by your organization.

Can you work while you’re in trade school?

Yes, if you attend a trade school which offers part-time, evening, or weekend courses. Many trade schools offer such courses, which can offer greater flexibility to accommodate the needs of student workers. 

Bear in mind, however, that the work you do while in trade school may not be related to the area for which you are training, as those typically require that you have already completed the program.

If you are interested in working part-time in the area that you are also studying for, you may want to consider an apprenticeship.

Can you get federal student loans for trade school?

Yes, you can receive federal student loans to pay for trade school if you attend an accredited program. Trade school federal student loans are just federal student loans, used to pay for your technical training. 

To receive federal student loans for trade school, you should fill out and submit your FAFSA form, just as you would to attend a four-year or two-year institution.

After July 2026, new borrowers face a lifetime aggregate limit of $257,500 in federal student loans.