Top Trade School Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines

If you’re considering a trade path instead of a conventional four-year degree, you’re probably wondering how to fund your education. Like traditional colleges, scholarships can provide substantial financial assistance for trade school students, lightening the burden of tuition fees. 

Whether you want to become a skilled craftsman, electrician, or any other professional trade, numerous scholarships are designed for you. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled a list of the top scholarships for trade and vocational school students in 2024. We’ll also show you how to apply for scholarships using Bold.org and provide valuable tips to increase your chances of winning. 

About Trade School Scholarships for Students

Trade school or vocational students are welcome to all scholarships. Also, you can pair your scholarships with financial aid. There is also no age limit on who can receive financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Note that most schools need to be accredited to be eligible for financial aid. Not all trade schools are eligible for financial assistance, so check with the school you are interested in to see if they are.

Four major types of financial aid are available: government loans, grants, scholarships, and private student loans. Even though there are a few requirements for trade schools to receive financial aid payments, many of them are eligible for financial aid.

What are Trade School Scholarships?

Many doors for unique scholarships are open for you. Scholarships cater to a variety of students, including trade school and vocational students. You can apply for merit-based, major-based, talent-based, and fellowships. There are also tons of trade school scholarships based on your career field, providing funds for higher education and trade schools. Another awesome thing is you will also qualify for financial aid. Check out the FAFSA website to fill out the free application for financial assistance to see if you are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

What Qualifies Someone for a Trade School Scholarship?

Students pursuing a trade, such as electrical, plumbing, welding, or related fields, often qualify for unique scholarships tailored to their respective career paths. These include general trade school scholarships that apply to any trade or specific scholarships for your field. Most require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or GED and, in some cases, evidence of financial need, trade school enrollment, or other criteria.  

Types of Scholarships for Trade Students

Trade students can apply for several kinds of scholarships to help pay for school. Here are some of the most common types and what they typically require. 

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships typically award trade students based on their academic or technical accomplishments. These scholarships often require a certain GPA in high school or other performance metrics, such as a work portfolio, competition experience, or intern work in a trade-related field. 

Need-Based Scholarships

These scholarships help trade students who may not have the financial means to cover their tuition and educational expenses. Need-based scholarship programs typically ask applicants to submit records demonstrating their financial need. 

Student-Specific Scholarships

Some scholarships help students who come from a particular background, religion, family, ethnicity, or similar demographic. Student-specific scholarships may not always target trade students directly, but you can find them by searching for opportunities based on your background and family history. 

Career-Specific Scholarships

Career-specific scholarships target students pursuing a specific trade path, such as welding or electrical work. Industry associations, private donors, and companies often fund these scholarships to support the next generation of trade professionals. Career-specific scholarships also include opportunities for non-trade related fields, such as scholarships for cosmetology or music. 

Trade School-Specific Scholarships

Some trade and vocational schools may offer incoming students scholarships and financial aid programs. These opportunities can consider factors such as academic performance, financial need, recommendations, or specific trade skills. 

How to Find Scholarships for Trade School

You can find scholarships for trade school by speaking with your institution’s financial aid department, searching online, or visiting Bold.org. This scholarship platform offers hundreds of scholarship opportunities, making it easy to find programs specifically for trade students. Bold.org is free to use, and after creating a profile, you can find and apply directly on the platform. 

How to Apply for Trade Scholarships: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bold.org is the best scholarship platform to find relevant opportunities for trade students. Here’s a guide on how to get started. 

Step 1: Visit Bold.org

Start by navigating to Bold.org on your web browser. Use a device with access to any files or information you may want to reference when creating your profile. 

Step 2: Create a Free Profile

After signing up for an account, you can create your profile. Your profile encompasses your background, experience, and trade skills to scholarship panels. Try to highlight your interest and expertise in your chosen trade, drawing on any measurable performance indicators, testimonials, and personal experience. 

Step 3: Search for Scholarships

Once you’ve created your profile and feel comfortable sharing it with the scholarship panels, start your search on Bold.org. You can look for opportunities according to their deadlines, focus, requirements, and other fields. In addition to looking for trade school scholarships, research other opportunities that may apply, such as your interests or personal background. 

Step 4: Read the Requirements

Since each scholarship has unique criteria, take time to read each application and understand the requirements before applying. Ensure you have everything you need and can allocate enough time to put together a compelling application. 

Step 5: Apply for Scholarships

Once you’ve found scholarships that match your goals, start applying. You may have to draft essays, complete questionnaires, ask for recommendation letters, or just have your profile ready. Remember, there’s no limit to how many you can apply for, so take advantage and apply for as many as possible. 

Step 6: Monitor Your Applications

You can keep track of all the scholarships you applied for through your Bold.org dashboard. Check the statuses regularly to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines or updates from the scholarship panel. And if you win, Bold.org will automatically apply the awards to your school’s tuition, saving you time and paperwork. 

Tips for Winning a Trade Scholarship

It always helps to have an advantage during the scholarship application process. Here are a few of our favorite tips for winning a trade scholarship. 

Tip 1: Begin Your Search Early

Starting your scholarship search in advance gives you more time to find the best opportunities and prepare strong applications. For trade students, this could mean researching scholarships while still in high school or the early years of your trade program. 

Tip 2: Customize Your Applications

Tailor each scholarship application to highlight your unique experience and interest in your chosen trade. Do your best to adhere to the scholarship’s guidelines and application requirements while showing why you deserve to win. 

Tip 3: Showcase Your Practical Experience

Trade scholarships often value practical experience. Highlight any hands-on experience and time you have in your field, such as apprenticeships, internships, or relevant class and work experience. 

Tip 4: Write a Strong Personal Statement

Some scholarships will ask for an essay or personal statement as part of the application process. If you apply for a scholarship that asks for one, take it as a chance to tell your story from a personal level. Discuss your passion for your trade, career goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them. Also, be sure to adhere to the prompt or requirements. 

Tip 5: Apply for Several Scholarships

You aren’t limited to one scholarship, so try to find and apply for as many as you can. Research other opportunities you may qualify for and talk with your school to see if they have any. Every bit of financial support helps, and the more applications you submit, the better your odds of winning at least one. 

What Are the Advantages of a Vocational High School?

A vocational high school is a public or private learning institution that differs from traditional secondary schools in many ways. Students at vocational schools typically receive more hands-on, career-minded education than students at traditional schools. Individuals are given the opportunity to explore and identify potential career goals, and are provided with the resources needed to achieve them. Most vocational schools recognize the importance of general academic studies as well as career preparation, and offer fully accredited high school diplomas. Depending on a student’s abilities and interests, a vocational high school can provide several advantages. This is especially true if they wish to pass scholarship exams in the future or pursue undergraduate studies.

At a vocational high school, a student can meet with trained guidance counselors and choose a program that will best prepare him or her for college, post-secondary technical school, or a career immediately after graduation. Counselors and school officials help students evaluate their goals and potential, and place them in programs that best suit their interests. It’s up to the parents to gauge if they think their child needs a math tutor. They may also talk to teachers and counselors about their assessment if they think your kid will benefit from one. Vocational learning helps individuals learn the tools and techniques that are vital to certain occupations, gain hands-on experience with different technologies and machines, and develop problem-solving skills that will help them in any career path.

Many vocational high schools provide students with career preparation in health care, computer science, education, business, and any number of highly specialized trades. Individuals have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to become carpenters, electricians, machinists, painters, plumbers, or other professionals. Some programs administer licensing or certification examinations in such programs that allow students to become eligible for employment immediately after graduation.

While programs certainly emphasis career development, they do not fail to provide students with well-rounded educations. A typical vocational high school program splits its curriculum between job-specific courses and classroom instruction on more general subjects, including math, science, language arts, and physical education. Vocational school students are usually required to complete classroom and homework assignments very similar to those given at traditional high schools.

Another major advantage of a vocational high school is the availability of job placement resources. Guidance counselors at these high schools typically have access to career information and a number of different resources for students who want to find immediate work while attending courses or after they graduate. In addition, many employers and labor unions are closely affiliated with vocational schools, and give preference to job applicants who have completed such programs. With recommendation from guidance counselors and teachers, many students are able to obtain paid apprenticeships or entry-level jobs with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trade School Scholarships

Still have questions about trade school scholarships? We’ve got answers to some common inquiries below. 

Where can I find scholarships for trade students? 

Trade students can find scholarships through various sources, including their school and non-profit organizations. You can also speak with your employer to see if they offer scholarships for trade school. However, the best way to find trade scholarships is by visiting Bold.org, a free scholarship platform. 

Can non-trade scholarships be awarded to trade school students? 

Yes, non-trade scholarships can be awarded to trade school students if the requirements don’t specify a particular field of study or education level. However, if the scholarship specifically targets undergraduate or graduate students, it may not apply to trade students. 

Can I reapply for a scholarship if I didn’t win the first time? 

You can typically reapply for a scholarship if you didn’t win the first time. Many scholarships allow applicants to apply each year they attend school, and unless they specify otherwise, you can reapply even if you didn’t win. However, always check the specific rules of each scholarship to confirm. 

Where can I apply for the FAFSA? 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is located online. It’s recommended to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 each year to maximize your potential financial aid. 

What’s the difference between trade and vocational scholarships? 

Trade and vocational scholarships both support students pursuing career-focused education. However, trade scholarships typically target specific trades, like mechanics, electricians, or carpenters. Vocational scholarships may cover a broader range of technical and career fields. 

Are scholarships taxable income?

Usually, a scholarship or fellowship is tax-free if it pays for tuition and other required fees. These fees could include school books, supplies, and equipment. However, using your scholarship to pay for room and board or a stipend for living expenses is taxable. For more information, reference IRS 970 for scholarship tax guidelines. 

How many scholarships can you get?

There is no limit to how many scholarships you can get. You can get as many scholarships as you need to cover your tuition and room and board. Remember, scholarships usually have many applicants, so meeting the expectations for the scholarships that interest you is vital.