It is truism that there is a shortage of skilled labor in the automotive industry, particularly in the automotive technician aspect. This has led to a number of large organizations in the industry starting scholarship funds in order to help people get the education needed to fill these roles throughout the industry. There are best available automotive scholarships in 2022 you can consider.
Each scholarship featured comes with a description of the scholarship and the basic information you need to decide whether or not to apply for it.
Like other educational pursuits, getting certified in the automotive trades creates significant financial hurdles for students. Specialized education does not come cheap, but there is financial help available in the form of grants, loans and scholarship that can aid the process.
1. Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships: The Automotive Aftermarket provides a large number of automotive scholarships which can amount to $5,000. In 2021, 427 scholarships were awarded out of 881 applications (which means that a little more than 50% of applicants received a scholarship, which is incredible odds).
The odds aren’t that good every year but in 2019, 37% of applicants received at least one scholarship, which is still really good compared to most scholarships.
In addition, 22% of winners received multiple scholarships. If there’s one automotive scholarship application you complete this year, make it this one. They’re currently accepting scholarship applications for 2022.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Scholarship Deadline: March 31
2. DEWALT Trades Scholarship: Although, the website didn’t specify a particular deadline or application period, it’s neccesary to note that you will want to apply as early as possible when the application window does open, as they only consider the first 1,000 applications.
This scholarship is open to students studying full-time at a two-year college or vocational/technical school earning a degree or certificate in a trade like automotive technology, diesel technology, heavy equipment operation, and more.
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Scholarship Deadline: Unknown
3. Automotive Hall of Fame: This is another available automotive scholarship in 2022 you should look upto. It serves as administrator for a number of annual automotive scholarships.
Eligibility requires interest and aptitude in qualified automotive disciplines. Financially needy students are given special consideration when they are enrolled full-time at accredited universities or colleges. Scholarships are put-forth for incoming freshman and upper-level undergraduate students, but all candidates must maintain the 3.0 GPA standard to qualify for the funds.
4. Alliance for Automotive Service Providers: This is a national industry association with local affiliates. The organization’s educational efforts include scholarships and grants that are issued by state chapters.
In Minnesota, automotive career students received $16,000 during the 2012-2013 school year. Each award, worth $1000, helped offset tuition expenses for a 2nd year automotive student. Funding for the scholarships is generated through fundraising efforts and public/private partnerships.
5. SEMA Scholarships: SEMA stands for Special Equipment Market Association. The SEMA show is a trade show that allows aftermarket parts manufacturers to display alongside automotive manufacturers.
SEMA strives to assist students who wish to go into the automotive industry, through loan forgiveness (available to graduates who are members of SEMA) and through their scholarship program, which awarded over 110 students scholarships last year (available to anyone who wants to work in the automotive industry).
Scholarship Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Scholarship Deadline: March 1st
6. William Burke Student Support Fund: This initiative also assist offer automative scholarships by issuing a scholarship every year to a student enrolled in the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute’s Early Model Program.
The specialized award applies to the Orlando, FL campus, and is worth $1,100 annually. A Partnership between UTI and Toyota Motor Sales matches scholarship dollars provided by the Cabito family. The Albert Cabito fund provides one $2000 scholarship each quarter to students enrolled at UTI or NTI automotive campuses.
7. Houston Community College: (HCC) offers the annual BMW Automotive Scholarship to eight qualified students, which offsets their tuition for an entire year.
BMW of North America sponsors the scholarship program, which distributes money for tuition, proper tools, textbooks and other college fees.
Meanwhile, candidates must meet current HCC registration requirements and be district residents. In addition to having at least a “C” average, incoming students must pass the state’s TAKS test and write a brief essay about why they should be awarded the scholarship. Eligible candidates are subject to driving records reviews, conducted by the scholarship selection committee.
8. Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation Scholarships: This scholarship is purposely designed for women who wish to work in the automotive industry upon graduation from college.
While direct automotive programs are supported, the scholarship has also been awarded to students in mechanical engineering, computer science, and many other areas of study. The common thread is that all students planned to apply their learning to a career in the automotive industry.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500 (average)
Scholarship Deadline: Jan. 8
9. Palo Alto Rotary Club Vocational Scholarships: The nature of scholarships offered by this organisation is a typical example of kinds of scholarships offered by community organizations across the country.
Even if you don’t live in Santa Clara or San Mateo (the areas for this specific scholarship) you will likely be able to find similar scholarships offered by similar local organizations in your region. These scholarships are for students who plan to pursue vocational studies, including automotive technology.
The Palo Alto Rotary Club awards 10 scholarships every year, ranging from $500 to $2,000.
Scholarship Amount: $500-$2,000
Scholarship Deadline: April 17
10. MassBay Community College Automotive Technician Scholarships: This particular program is for recent high school graduates, or adult students who are retraining. The $1000 awards are issued to qualified students who are enrolled at accredited automotive schools.
Participants must complete programs that lead to degrees, and approved courses must be affiliated with specific automobile manufacturers.