Scholarships for Automotive Trades
Get Paid to Learn the Trade
Like any other career path, students in the automotive trade seek financial help in funding their education. There are a number of options when it comes to scholarships in this field of study. Along with the auto mechanic profession, you may be eligible if you are learning any of the following specialties:
- Auto Body and Paint
- Upholstery
- Collision Repair and Refinishing
- Automotive Technology
- Diesel and Truck Technology
- Motorcycle Technology
- Master Certified Automotive Technology
- NASCAR and Pit Crews
Automotive Industry Associations
The Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan serves as administrator for a number of automotive scholarships each year. Candidates must express a major interest in a career in the automotive industry and display financial need. All scholarships stipulate that applicants must be a full-time student at an accredited university or college. Among the fifteen plus scholarships up for grabs are:
- The Dorothy M. Ross Memorial Scholarship is geared toward undergraduates with at least a 3.0 grade point average overall.
- The Harold Dieckmann Draper Sr. Scholarship stipulates that at least a 3.4 grade point average is required and students must be in an undergraduate in upper level courses.
- The Walter W. Stillman Scholarship requires students to have a 3.0 grade point average or better and be a full-time student at Northwood University. New Jersey students are given first consideration.
Work-Related Options
Working in an automotive store can pay off in scholarship funds. While these are not necessarily automotive study program specific, they are a great source for possible funding.
- CARQUEST awards four scholarships worth $1,000 each to family members of their technicians. In addition, any employees are eligible to apply for scholarships if they plan to further their education and become a full-time student.
- AutoZone awards $2,500 to fifteen students each year. They must be graduating high school seniors and be an employee or a dependent of an employee with at least one year of service. Community service, scholastic achievement, extracurricular school activities and leadership are all factors in eligibility.
Foundations
The Automotive Women's Alliance (AWA) has established a foundation to provide scholarships to women interested in entering the automotive industry. Engineering or design students, whether they are just starting college or embarking on a post-graduate degree program, are eligible as long as they plan to enter the automotive field upon graduation. The monetary award of $2,500 goes toward tuition and other university fees. See other scholarships available to women.
The Automotive Service Councils of California Educational Foundation offers scholarships to students who wish to pursue a career in the automotive field. Both high school graduates that plan to attend a technical or vocational school and undergraduates in college studying a subject in the automotive field are eligible to apply. Candidates must be a resident of California and have at least a 2.0 grade point average overall and a 3.0 in their automotive classes. Monetary awards vary.
The Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA) offers six scholarships worth $500 each to students interested in the automotive aftermarket industry. Candidates must be an Illinois resident and have a sponsor who is a member of the APSA write a letter of recommendation. In addition, students who apply must have a high school degree or equivalent and be enrolled in an accredited school full-time. Eligible applicants will be chosen based on scholastic achievement and financial need. Scholarship winners can reapply for up to four years.
College Programs
Houston Community College (HCC) offers the BMW Automotive Scholarship to eight students for an entire year. BMW of North America sponsors this scholarship program and will pay for tuition in-district, proper tools, textbooks and other college fees. Candidates must meet current HCC requirements of registration and be a resident within the district. In addition to having at least a "C" average, incoming students must have passed the state's TAKS test and write a brief essay about why they should be awarded the scholarship. Eligible candidates will also have their driving records reviewed by the scholarship selection committee.
South Arkansas Community College offers two industry and location specific scholarships to Arkansas students in the automotive technology field.
- The Trades and Industry Scholarship is typically awarded to a Union County high school graduate who was successfully enrolled in a dual vocational program. Criteria for eligibility include the completion of eight hours of college work in this program as well as carrying a 2.5 or better grade point average. In addition, eligible students must enroll in six hours or more each college semester and have a letter of recommendation from their high school counselor. Monetary awards are based on availability of funds.
- The Jonathan M. Warren Memorial Scholarship is geared toward the El Dorado high school graduate who took part in the dual vocation program in high school with success. Eight hours of college credit must have been earned along with a 2.0 or higher grade point average. Students applying for this $500 a year scholarship must submit a letter of recommendation from their high school counselor as well as enroll in six hours or more each college semester. This scholarship is renewable based on a continuing enrollment of six college hours and maintaining a 2.5 grade point average.
