HVAC Scholarship Programs
Getting Money to Learn the Trade
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning is a hot (or cool) profession to get into as a career. There are a number of programs across the United States that offer HVAC degrees and certification programs for students. This education sometimes requires financial sacrifice of the students, so scholarships from generous organizations are offered to offset this burden.
Community Foundations
Whether it is your city, county or state, there are a number of community foundations across the country that supports its local area students. Many individuals and businesses often fund scholarships through these foundations; therefore, they are a great source for scholarships.
HVAC students who are residents of Maine can look into the Maine Community Foundation for scholarship support. They offer the Leland R. Dahlgren Scholarship Fund which provides assistance to students seeking a two or four year degree in the construction career path including an HVAC course of study. High school graduates from Aroostook and Cumberland Counties are encouraged to apply.
In California, The Community Foundation of Mendocino County offers the Rodrigue Family Vocations Scholarship Fund. This scholarship award assists those students from the Ukiah School District who are interested in pursuing a vocational trade like HVAC.
HVAC Related Associations
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers has a scholarship program which offers a number of options for students entering college to study HVAC technology. For all available scholarships, students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average, letters of recommendation, show promise in the HVAC path, have strength of character and leadership and be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or school. Among the many scholarship opportunities are:
- Willis H. Carrier Scholarship awards a one-year $10,000 scholarship to an engineering student in an undergraduate program.
- Reuben Trane Scholarship is a two-year $10,000 scholarship which is awarded in increments of $5,000 each at the beginning of the student's junior and senior year in an undergraduate engineering degree program.
- Associate Degree Engineering Technology Scholarship is offered to eligible full-time students to the tune of $3,000 and is geared towards those studying a curriculum in the HVAC path.
- There are also a number of regional scholarships offered through the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. Check with each state's individual chapter for details.
The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers provides industry scholarships to students in an HVAC-related career path, in college. The Dave Nelsen Scholarship awards at least seven $2,000 scholarships to HVAC students who plan to become involved in the oil heating industry. Candidates must submit a personal essay about their goals and why they want to be in the oil heating industry.
College Scholarships
Many individual colleges will also have scholarships available to students following the HVAC path. Each institution is different and there are a variety of options available depending on where the student attends school.
The Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota has several scholarship opportunities open to HVAC students.
- The American Subcontractor's Association Scholarship is open to full-time students in their second year of studies with a good grade point average. They must have been recommended by an instructor and be enrolled in one of a number of construction programs including HVAC Systems or Design. The monetary award can be up to $1,000.
- The Citizens of the Future Scholarship is $2,500 and typically is awarded to first year full-time students enrolled in a construction related major including HVAC Systems. Student grade point averages should have been at least a 2.0 from their graduating high school.
- The Anthony M. Burtzel Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a second year student in the HVAC program with at least a 3.5 grade point average. Two letters of recommendation from the student's instructors as well as good attendance is necessary to be considered for this $1,500 monetary award.
Joliet Junior College in Illinois is a technical school which offers several scholarships for HVAC students.
- The Michael Escue Memorial Scholarship is open to all technology students including those on the HVAC career path. Students must want to teach or work in their specific technical arena. In-district students are eligible and the scholarship must be used toward tuition, school fees and textbooks. There is an interview process for candidates. First year students must have had a 2.0 minimum grade point average in high school and second year students must have at least a 2.0 or greater.
- The Edward R. Valintis Scholarship is aimed toward an in-district student with at least a 2.5 or greater grade point average. Financial need and enrollment in one of the technical degree programs like HVAC is required for eligibility. Two letters of recommendations from the college instructors are needed and any awarded funds must be used for tuition, books and college fees.
- Each department at Joliet Junior College offers a Student Service Recognition award which is a $300 scholarship awarded to a worthy student who has completed at least twelve hours of college credit at Joliet. HVAC students, to be eligible, must be recommended by their department and have a 2.0 grade point average.
