National Scholarships

National Scholarships

National Scholarship Programs

The AWS Foundation has expanded its national scholarship program, which now includes the following individual scholarships each worth a minimum of $2,500 annually.  These scholarships are for students pursuing a specific degree at an accredited four-year college or university.  To take advantage of this program, students will need to plan now for the following year.  Professors and instructors of vocational schools, technical colleges, community colleges and universities are encouraged to share this valuable information with their staff and students.  AWS membership may or may not be required by the individual donors. To apply for student membership, please visit the Student Membership page.  Scholarship funds will cover the cost of tuition and books. The deadline for applying is February 15.  Please contact Vicki Pinsky for more information.

Miller Electric International WorldSkills Competition Scholarship
To become eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must compete in the National SkillsUSA 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 winner qualifies for this award with his/her successful completion of the World Skills Competition; otherwise student accepts an award equivalent to a runner-up scholarship

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 scholarship shall be discretionary and subject to availability of funds.

Section Named Scholarships

Alberta Section Scholarship

Baton Rouge Section Scholarships

O. J. Templet Memorial - Baton Rouge Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by BR Welding Supply and other donors in memory of O.J. Templet, The award is $750.

Boston Section Scholarships

Seabury Waring Section Scholarship
The scholarship is sponsored by the Boston Section.

The Brant Family/Indiana Oxygen Endowed Scholarship
The scholarship is sponsored by the Brant Family and Indiana Oxygen.

Central Mass/RI Scholarship

Central Nebraska Section Scholarship

Colorado Section Scholarship

Columbus Section Scholarship

Connecticut Section Scholarship

Cumberland Valley Section Scholarship

Dayton Scholarship

Detroit Section Scholarships

These scholarships are sponsored by the AWS Detroit Section.  Scholarship amounts vary.

For more information or an application please visit the Detroit Section website at www.awsdetroit.org, under Scholarships.

Amos and Marilyn Winsand - Detroit Section Named Scholarship
The Amos and Marilyn Winsand-Detroit Section Named Scholarship is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Winsand and the AWS Detroit Section. Mr. Winsand is a former AWS Treasurer and Foundation Trustee. 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. The award is $2,500.  For an application, please visit the Detroit Section website at www.awsdetroit.org under 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 vpinsky@aws.org or call 800-443-9353 x212.

Richard "Dick" Emmit Blaisdell Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the Kansas City Section to honor Mr. Blaisdell. The award is $1,000.

Dr. John Gerken Scholarship (Cleveland Section)
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Cleveland Section.

Dr. John Gerken’s professional life was dedicated to the learning and teaching of welding. As part of his legacy, the Dr. John Gerken Scholarship is continues his passion for teaching future generations about the science and art of welding.

The welding field offers young candidates many different career opportunities. A technical back ground is the cornerstone on which to build a fulfilling career. The successful candidate will have an interest in understanding welding with an aptitude for the material joining sciences. Mechanical abilities, math and computer skills are valuable tools for a potential candidate because the equipment has become more computer based. These skills, plus the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues are attributes that are going to be required for the next generation of welding leaders.

Student must live within the boundaries of the Cleveland Section, have an overall 3.0 GPA, provide a letter on how they will use their welding education, be enrolled full time, have proof of financial need. The student must provide an essay on "Why I want to Pursue a Career in Welding".

The annual award is $3,000. For more information, contact Vicki Pinsky in the AWS Foundation at vpinsky@aws.org.

Houston Section Scholarships

AWS Houston Section Spirit of Welding Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section. The award amount is $1,000. For more information please visit the Houston Section website.

Dennis K. and Robin Eck - Houston Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Eck for students in the AWS Houston Section. The award pool is $5,000. For more information please visit the Houston Section website.

George Kampschafer - Houston Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section to honor George Kampschafer. The award is $1,250. For more information please visit the Houston Section website.

Dr. Daryl Morgan - Houston Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section to honor Dr. Morgan. The award is $2,500. For more information please visit the Houston Section website.

Ronald Theiss - Houston Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section to honor Ron Theiss. The award is $2,500. For more information please visit the Houston Section website.

Ron Van Arsdale - Houston Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Houston Section to honor Ron Van Arsdale. The award is $1,000. For more information please visit the Houston Section website.

John F. Hinrichs Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible through the National Robotic Arc Welding Conference, the AWS Milwaukee Section, the D 16 Committee, and the many friends and colleagues of John F. Hinrichs who wish to continue his legacy.

This scholarship is for a student in high school, tech college, or other school in welding or engineering related program. The student may be full or part time, but must exhibit a financial need to qualify. Applicant is also expected to write an essay on a specific topic as noted in the application.

For an application and additional information, click here.

Idaho-Montana Section Scholarships

Indiana Section Scholarship

James Koster Scholarship
The scholarship is sponsored by the West Michigan Section.

Jerry Hope Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is available to any U.S. Citizen and Washington, Oregon, or Alaska resident; Or any Canadian Citizen and British Columbia or Alberta resident. Applicants must be a high school graduate or possess a GED equivalent. Applicants shall be enrolled as a student in an AWS District 19 approved welding related educational or training program.

For more information, please visit the website for any Section located within District 19, by clicking on the following link: http://www.aws.org/about/page/district-19

Kansas Section Scholarship

Lancaster Section Scholarship

Los Angeles-Inland Empire Scholarship

David J. Landon Scholarship
David J. Landon is Manager of Welding Engineering at Vermeer Corporation in Pella, Iowa and the 2015 President of the American Welding Society. A 1981 graduate of LeTourneau University, Landon received a Bachelor of Science degree in welding engineering. He has been a member of the American Welding Society since 1983 and has been active in the local section, district, national, and international levels. Landon has had a passion for training welders throughout his career and is always willing to share his passion for welding with anyone who will listen. Mentored by some of the great heroes in the welding industry, Landon's passion of mentoring others can be summed up in the theme of his presidential year of AWS, "Heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things; to whom will you be a hero today?"

This endowment was made possible by the generous donations of the Iowa Section of the American Welding Society, Vermeer Corporation, and the matching gift program approved by the Board of Directors of the American Welding Society in 2013.

Consistent with Landon's passion, the purpose of this scholarship is to enable young welders to develop and refine their abilities through education and to aid them in their efforts to accomplish extraordinary things.

The deadline to apply is March 1st, and the award amount is $1,100. For more information, please visit the Iowa Section website at www.awssection.org/iowa/scholarship.

Lehigh Valley Section - Professor Robert D. Stout Scholarship
This award is sponsored by the AWS Lehigh Valley Section to honor Dr. Stout. The award is $1,250.

Les Vesey Dayton Scholarship

Mobile Section Scholarships

Paul “Jerry” Betts Honorary Scholarship
This scholarship has been established by the Mobile Section to honor Jerry Betts. The recipient must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, have an overall GPA of 2.5, provide two letters of reference, be a US citizen, and a resident of the Mobile geographical area. The recipient must be pursuing a 2 year associates degree in welding and/or engineering, or a certificate in welding and/or engineering. An essay is required. The award pool is $4,750. For more information, or to apply, please visit the Mobile Section website at www.awssection.org/mobile/.

Stephen F. Carlisle Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been established by the Mobile Section in memory of Stephen Carlisle. The recipient must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, have an overall GPA of 2.5, provide two letters of reference, be a US citizen, and a resident of the Mobile geographical area. The recipient must be pursuing a 2 year associates degree in welding and/or engineering, or a certificate in welding and/or engineering. An essay is required. The award pool is $4,000. For more information, or to apply, please visit the Mobile Section website at www.awssection.org/mobile/.

Eleanor Ezell Honorary Scholarship
This scholarship has been established by the Mobile Section to honor Eleanor Ezell. The recipient must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, have an overall GPA of 2.5, provide two letters of reference, be a US citizen, and a resident of the Mobile geographical area. The recipient must be pursuing a 2 year associates degree in welding and/or engineering, or a certificate in welding and/or engineering. An essay is required. The award pool is $3,000. For more information, or to apply, please visit the Mobile Section website at www.awssection.org/mobile/

William H. Harrison, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been established by the Mobile Section in memory of William H. Harrison, Jr. The recipient must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, have an overall GPA of 2.5, provide two letters of reference, be a US citizen, and a resident of the Mobile geographical area. The recipient must be pursuing a 2 year associates degree in welding and/or engineering, or a certificate in welding and/or engineering. An essay is required. The award pool is $3,750. For more information, or to apply, please visit the Mobile Section website at www.awssection.org/mobile/

Ronald C. and Joyce Pierce - Mobile Section Named Scholarship
The award is sponsored by Ronald C. Pierce, Chairman Emeritus AWS Foundation, AWS Past President, and Joyce Pierce, to pursue a degree in engineering. The student must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average, and be a full-time college sophomore, junior, or senior.  Three awards at $5,000 each, one per recipient. For more information, or to apply, please visit the Mobile Section website at www.awssection.org/mobile/

Leo D. Veal Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been established by the Mobile Section to memory of Leo Veal. The recipient must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, have an overall GPA of 2.5, provide two letters of reference, be a US citizen, and a resident of the Mobile geographical area. The recipient must be pursuing a 2 year associates degree in welding and/or engineering, or a certificate in welding and/or engineering. An essay is required. The award pool is $1,750. For more information, or to apply, please visit the Mobile Section website at www.awssection.org/mobile/

New Orleans Section Scholarship

Shelton L. Ritter - New Orleans Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the New Orleans Section. The award is $1,250.

Northwest Section Mike Albers/Production Engineering Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the Northwest Section. The award is $500.

Northern Plains Scholarship

Ozark Section Named Scholarship

James W. Gardner - Ozark Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the Ozark Section and numerous friends and family. The award is $500.

Pascagoula Section Scholarship

Philadelphia Section Scholarship
This scholarship is for a student pursuing studies in welding engineering, welding engineering technology, metallurgy, or a welding trade program. The student must have an overall GPA of 2.8, and be a member of the AWS Philadelphia Section. To apply, please visit the Philadelphia Section website at www.awssection.org/philadelphia/scholarship.

Perry, James and Salebra Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the Green & White Mountains Section.  The scholarship is for a student pursuing an associates or bachelors degree in a technical discipline such as, but not limited to, Welding Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology, Metallurgy, Materials Science with an emphasis on materials joining. The award is $2,500, and priority will be given to students from the Green & White Mountains Section.

Portland Section Scholarship

Puget Sound Section #41 Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the Puget Sound Section. The award is $500.

Robert W. Worden, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The scholarship is sponsored by the Washington DC Section.

Saginaw Valley Section Scholarship

San Francisco Named Scholarship

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.

South Florida Section Scholarship

H. D. Rivere Scholarship
The scholarship is sponsored by the South Florida Section.

David Pearl, Sr. Scholarship
The scholarship is sponsored by the South Florida Section.

St. Louis Section Scholarship

Hil Bax Scholarship Fund
The scholarship is sponsored by the St. Louis Section to honor Hil Bax. The award is $1,000.

Tri-Tool - Sacramento Section Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by Tri-Tool, Inc. and the AWS Sacramento Section. The award is $1,000.

Tidewater Virginia Section Scholarship
The AWS Tidewater Virginia Section has provided this scholarship to encourage students to pursue a college degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Joining Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology and Materials Joining Engineering Technology. The Section is comprised of Welding Professionals engaged in Shipbuilding, Heavy and Light Fabrication, Research and Design, Education, Equipment Solutions, Sales and Integration. The Section promotes training opportunities starting with the Boy Scouts, followed by high school level programs and then workforce development courses. Our desire is to see applicants achieve higher education and then apply this to welding related fields in the Tidewater Area or the greater areas of Virginia.

This scholarship is provided to encourage students to further their education beyond High School in the fields of Welding Engineering, Materials Joining Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology and Materials Joining Engineering Technology.

Applicants must be a citizen of the United States. Priority will be given in the following order:  a. Applicants who reside in the Boundaries of the AWS Tidewater Virginia Section. (See AWS Website for map showing the Section boundaries.)  b. Applicants from the State of Virginia.  c. Applicants attending LeTourneau University and majoring in Welding and Materials Joining Engineering or Welding and Materials Joining Engineering Technology.

The deadline to apply is April 25th, and the award amount is $1,000. For more information and an application, please visit the Tidewater Virginia Section website at www.awssection.org/tidewater/scholarship.

WELSCO Stephen E. Harrison Memorial Scholarship
Sponsored by WELSCO to honor Mr. Stephen E. Harrison, 3rd generation owner of WELSCO. This scholarship is for a full time student with a 2.8 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in welding courses at a Vo-Tech school. The student must be pursuing a degree in welding. Financial need is not required but priority will be given to those students who exhibit a financial need. Applicant must attend the Vo-Tech school in Arkansas, be a US citizen, and priority will be given to students who have lived in Arkansas for more than one year. The scholarship award is $1,500 paid directly to the school for tuition and books. To apply, please click HERE.

West Michigan Section Scholarship
The AWS West Michigan Section Named Scholarship is sponsored by the West Michigan Section of AWS. The recipient must be enrolled in a two or four-year welding program and be a resident of Michigan or attend a Michigan college. The student must have a high school diploma or equivalent and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00. Proof of financial need is required. The Scholarship must be used toward an Associate or Bachelors degree in Welding Engineering, Welding Engineering Technology, or welding a related field. The funds are for tuition, books, and/or lab fees. The award is $750.00.

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.

Willamette Valley Section Scholarship

York Central PA Scholarship

District Named Scholarships

AWS 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.

Bill Myers - District 6 Named Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the former AWS Allegheny Section to honor AWS Past President, Bill Myers. The award is $750.

Ed Cable-Bug-O - District 7 Named Scholarship
This 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.

AWS Detroit Section, District 11 Fred Ellicott Scholarship for Arc Welding
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Detroit Section. The Award is $1,250. Please visit www.aws.org/foundation/district_scholarships.html for a District Scholarship application for this scholarship.

AWS Detroit Section, District 11 Dietrich Roth Scholarship for Resistance Welding
This scholarship is sponsored by the AWS Detroit Section. The Award is $1,250. Please visit www.aws.org/foundation/district_scholarships.html for a District Scholarship application for this scholarship.

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 nprado-pulido@aws.org.

Bob and Evelyn Schneider - District 21 Scholarship
This scholarship is available to students who reside in and plan to attend an academic institution within District 21. The student must be attending a two year course of study that will result in at least an associate’s degree, or certificate in welding. The student must have a 3.0 GPA and proof of financial need. For more information, contact vpinsky@aws.org.

District 22 Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by Sections within District 22. For more information, contact vpinsky@aws.org.