Exclusive Trade School Scholarships with 2026 Deadlines

Bold.org has awarded over $30 million in scholarship money to help students like you attend trade school or college programs. Frustrated with trying to find scholarships you can actually win? Bold.org helps match you to awards you're already eligible for. All awards are 100% free to apply for, with no hidden fees or extra accounts needed.

Don't waste time on generic, high-competition awards you won't win. Use this guide to apply strategically and find the best trade school awards for you instead. Hundreds of students have already won money with Bold.org's research-backed guides and relevant, updated scholarship offerings. Join the club and apply now to become an electrician, plumber, or other skilled trade worker!

Odds of Winning a Trade School Scholarship

According to the Education Data Initiative, scholarship money is widely available:

1. Each year, private and federal programs provide over $100 billion in scholarship money.
2. The average scholarship winner at a public 2-year institution earns $4,100.
3. Scholarships and grants cover $7,500 of annual academic costs per student.

Whether you’re a high school junior exploring skilled trades or a female student pursuing a wellness professional scholarship at an accredited community college, many scholarship programs are available to help reduce financial need. Let us help you find these valuable opportunities.

Here's what Bold.org offers trade school students:

As a leading scholarship nonprofit organization trusted by millions of students, Bold.org has demonstrated an ability to help students find real money that can pay for their tuition.

1. Exclusive trade school scholarships
2. Step-by-step guide on how to apply for scholarships
3. Actionable tips to improve your chances of winning money
4. Organizations and extra awards to help you afford trade school:
5. Home Depot Foundation's Path
6. AWS National Scholarship
7. Public Power Scholarships & Internships

This list of scholarships provides excellent financial support for students who demonstrate financial need. Pursue an education at a vocational school or technical college and pay tuition costs without debt!

Create a free application profile on Bold.org and access all of our exclusive scholarships!

Best Trade School Scholarships

1. Scholarships for Minorities

These scholarships support students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, helping to reduce financial barriers in trade programs. Minority trade school students should apply to increase representation in skilled industries and access valuable career opportunities.

2. Community Service Scholarships

These awards recognize students who demonstrate a strong commitment to helping their communities. Trade school applicants with volunteer experience can leverage their service to earn financial aid and stand out to scholarship committees.

3. Scholarships for High School Students

Many trade school students transition straight from high school into career and technical programs. It's never too early to start looking at scholarships, and these awards for high school students encompass all levels of high school from freshmen to seniors!

Scholarships for Underrepresented Trade School Students

1. Scholarships for Hispanic Students

These scholarships promote educational equity for Hispanic and Latino/a students pursuing trade careers. By applying, students can reduce financial stress and become part of a growing, skilled Hispanic workforce.

2. Scholarships for Black Students

In a 2023 study under the Institute of Education Statistics, it was reported that Black students often avoided STEM majors because they believed they wouldn't excel in those fields. With so many trade school programs targeted towards STEM fields, there needs to be more support for Black students in technical and career-oriented degrees. Aimed at increasing access and inclusion, these scholarships help Black students afford vocational training to increase their career opportunities!

3. Scholarships for Native American Students

These scholarships support Native American students in preserving their cultural identity while pursuing modern career paths. Trade school applicants can receive funding and mentorship tailored to their community’s unique needs.

Trade School Scholarships by Major

1. Nursing Scholarships

For students in licensed practical nursing (LPN) or other vocational nursing tracks, these scholarships help cover high-demand healthcare training. With many trade school students enrolled in nursing programs, these nursing scholarships are a key financial opportunity!

2. Engineering Scholarships

These scholarships support students in hands-on, applied engineering programs such as electrical or mechanical technology. Trade school students in technical engineering fields can benefit from both funding and potential industry networking with these engineering scholarships!

3. Computer Science Scholarships

Focused on students in IT, software support, or coding bootcamps, these awards help cover tuition for tech-related trade programs. They offer a gateway into a fast-growing industry without the need for a traditional four-year degree.

If you're interested in engineering or CS, these STEM scholarships might also strike your fancy!

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Trade School Scholarship

1. Get Accepted Into a Trade School

The first and most important requirement for many scholarships is that applicants are students enrolled at a trade school/vocational school/technical school, or are planning to be in the future.

2. Check Scholarship Requirements

Some scholarships have more requirements to apply, such as gender, education level, extracurriculars, minimum GPA, etc. Applying for scholarships that have several requirements makes your chances of winning the financial aid greater because fewer people can apply.

3. Craft a Stellar Essay

Most scholarships, especially the bigger ones, will require a personal essay. These essays are a great place to tell the scholarship providers why you're deserving of the academic funds in your own words. Don't be afraid to be creative, letting your unique voice shine through the page.

Pro Tip: Reach out to friends, family, and teachers for help with double-checking your work!

4. Gather Remaining Application Materials

While the personal essay is a major component of a scholarship application, there are other materials the scholarship may require. Some common examples include:

1. academic transcript
2. letters of recommendation
3. resume

Especially for letters of recommendation, you should reach out a few weeks in advance to give your recommenders time to write an amazing piece about you!

5. Follow-Up & Say Thank You

If the scholarship provider hasn't let you know they've received your application, whether through an automatic email or a personalized letter, you should follow up with a polite email. Don't be afraid to check in from time to time, especially if they haven't given you a winner selection timeline.

If you've won a scholarship, say thank you. Not only does it show the provider that their scholarships are making an impact in the lives of students, but it may also increase your chances of renewing the scholarship, if that's something that is available.

Write a heartfelt scholarship thank you letter with this comprehensive blog!

Tips for Winning Trade School Scholarships

Tip #1 Apply Early

It is never too early to start applying for scholarships. As soon as you are fourteen years old and in high school, you'll start qualifying for scholarships. The earlier you start planning for the cost of college, the better prepared you will be. It's also never too late, as there are plenty of scholarships available to current college students and even some scholarships for graduates who have student loan debt.

Tip #2 Apply Often

The more scholarships you apply for, the more chances you will have to win. Make sure to also diversify your scholarship applications, ensuring a balance between high-reward scholarships and smaller ones to ensure you receive some financial aid for the following school year.

Tip #3 Use Your Connections

You may have heard that networking is a crucial part of securing a job. The same can be said for scholarships. Reach out to your relatives, teachers, and financial aid specialists at your school about scholarship opportunities they might know about. Chances are, they may know an organization that aligns with your interests, and you can do additional research into any student financial aid opportunities they provide.

Why Trade School Scholarships Matter

Trade school scholarships offer vital support for undergraduate students, high school graduates, and first-generation students planning to pursue postsecondary education in an approved trade-related program.

Trade school is a catch-all term for several disciplines that students do not attend a typical four-year college for. There are several types of trade schools, including vocational schools, technical schools, and programs at community colleges or four-year universities.

From vocational scholarships for construction management to career technical opportunities in the manufacturing industry, these awards support students interested in high-demand careers who are enrolled in a qualifying program and maintain good academic standing or satisfactory academic progress.

Here's why trade school degrees are a worthwhile pursuit:

1. Civilian employment fell by over 8.8 million following the COVID-19 pandemic (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), causing a spike in demand for trade school graduates with career-ready skills in the following years.
2. Enrollment in trade school grew 4.9% between 2020 and 2023, compared to a 0.6% decrease in enrollment at universities (Validated Insights).
3. According to the Education Data Initiative, an undergraduate degree costs an average of $38,270 per year, making trade schools a much more affordable option at a third of the cost.

Now that you know how to win financial aid for trade schools, let's move on to some high-dollar awards hosted by reputable, outside organizations. These awards may be more competitive, but they could also make a huge impact on your tuition fees.

Extra Financial Aid Resources and Scholarships for Trade

1. CECU Scholarships

The Career Education and Colleges Universities (CECU) organization has compiled a list of valuable scholarships for trade school students offered by different organizations across the nation. Some key awards include the $2,500 Caleb Sabados Memorial Scholarship, open only to high school seniors and current trade school students. This award is offered by Little Home Builder.

2. AWS National Scholarship

These American Welding Society scholarships, worth anywhere between $2,500 and $10,000+, are awarded to talented students passionate about welding or related disciplines. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or those eligible to apply.

3. Public Power Scholarships & Internships

The American Public Power Association has a department known as Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED). Under this department, they offer scholarship and internship opportunities for students in energy-related majors, especially aspiring line workers. Not only do they provide financial aid, but they're also a great way to gain valuable connections in the industry.

4. Home Depot Foundation's Path to Pro Scholarship

The Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro Scholarship is a nonprofit initiative offering $2,000 in scholarship funds to high school graduates, juniors, and students pursuing technical education in the construction industry or other skilled trades.

With a focus on skills-based education and vocational programs, the Path to Pro Scholarship is a great option for students who meet eligibility requirements, looking to bridge the gap between high school graduation and a successful career.

Get more insight into scholarships and college life with our scholarship blog.