The Donald F. Hastings Scholarship honors a person who has devoted more than forty years to the welding industry.

Mr. Hastings' devotion to the American Welding Society is exemplified by his willingness to share of personal time, as well as the resources of The Lincoln Electric Company.

Mr. Hastings, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, once stated, "Advanced welding education is vital to the very survival of this industry. This scholarship is an investment in welding engineering that will foster new metal joining technology. I am very proud to be associated with the renewed emphasis that the American Welding Soceity is placing on specific welding educational efforts."

Purpose
The purpose for this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to those individuals interested in pursuing a career in welding engineering.

Eligibility
The Donald F. Hastings 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. All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements.

• Applicant must be a minimum of eighteen years of age.
• Applicant must have a minimum high school diploma.
• Applicant must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average.
• Student may be enrolled full or part time.
• Proof of financial need is required to qualify.
• Applicant must submit all required application information.
• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States and plan to attend an academic institution located within the United States.
• Priority will be given to those individuals residing or attending school in the states of Ohio and California. (A resident is defined as having lived in the specific area for a minimum of one year.)
• Applicants may reapply; however, persons who have received this award may reapply and may be granted the award for a maximum of four years.

The award will be presented to individuals nationwide. Applicant does not have to be a member of the American Welding Society.

The AWS Foundation does not discriminate by age, race, color, national origin, disability, creed, or gender.

Selection
Applicant will be chosen by the Named Scholarship Selection Committee comprised of five (5) members, which have been selected by the National Educational Scholarship Committee.

Selection committee will determine award recipient in February of each year. Recipient will be announced at the National Awards Luncheon.

Awards
One $2,500 award will be given annually.

No awards will be paid directly to the recipient. All awards will be paid directly to the academic institution by the AWS Foundation.

Deadline
Deadline for application is February 15, for the following Fall Term.