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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers for our students’ convenience. If there is anything you can’t find, we encourage you to call our office today and ask for assistance.

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What is your cancellation policy?

Upon signing the enrollment agreement and/or making an initial tuition payment, your enrollment may be cancelled at any time prior to the first day of training. For a full tuition refund, a written notice must be submitted and received by American Welding Academy no less than 5 business days prior to the first day of training. Once a student has attended the first day of training, any student withdrawal will require a written statement from the withdrawing student explaining the reason for program withdrawal and must include the student’s signature. Any student of minor age who withdraws from a program must provide notice of termination by a guarantor. Once training has begun and student withdrawal occurs, the student will receive a tuition refund as is described below:

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Calculations for percentage of course completion is determined based upon dividing the number of students completed course hours, prior to withdrawal date, by the length of the course expressed in course hours. Withdrawal date is the last day of school attendance. Once training has begun, there will be NO refunds made for welding gear, tools, welding textbook/manual, metal or supplies. The $100 registration fee is non-refundable after 3 business days. All refunds will be made within 90 days of the date of termination, withdrawal or cancellation.

When do we give tours?

We do tours Monday through Friday 8am-2:00pm. If this does not work for you, we will be glad to schedule a day and time that fits your schedule. Please call-in advance to book your tour!

What type of programs does AWA provide? 

Professional Pipe Welding & Fitting Course

  • 24 weeks long (960 total course hours). Designed to provide students with the skills necessary to pursue a career in the pipe welding & fitting trades.

  • Earn up to 7+ industry recognized welding certifications. 

  • Directed to those students who are willing to travel for a job. 

  • Job examples: power plants, refineries, cross country pipelines, ethanol plants, boilermaker, plumbers & pipefitters unions. 

Fabrication Welding & Fitting Course 

  • 12 weeks long (480 total course hours). Designed to provide students with the skills necessary to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing and the capabilities to construct small and large scale projects. 

  • Directed to students who are willing to stay local for a job. 

  • Earn up to 6 industry recognized welding certifications. 

  • Job examples: manufacturing plants and custom fabrication jobs (main point of employment in Missouri)

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What is the difference between a certification and qualification versus a program certificate? 

  • Certificate: Program certificates are typically issued when a student completes a set number of hours of a particular course.  This does not indicate whether or not the student or graduate can actually meet code welding criteria. 

  • Certification/Qualification: During a student’s time at AWA, they are tested utilizing a very stringent set of testing criteria (Standard Weld Procedure Specification SWPS) and their welds are tested in accordance with AWS and ASME Sec IX utilizing different processes and materials.  Upon successful completion of their welder qualification testing, students are then issued a certification.  Industry recognized certifications are more appealing to contractors and are fantastic resume builders.  They hold a much greater value than a generic certificate.

What is the cost of each program? 

Pipe Welding & Fitting Course: 

  • Tuition: $19,500 | Books & Gear: $1,350 | Materials: $4,650 | TOTAL COST: $25,500


Fabrication Welding & Fitting Course: 

  • Tuition: $9,500 | Books & Gear: $1,080 | Supplies: $2,920 | TOTAL COST: $13,500

What are the processes taught? 

  • SMAW- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick)

  • GMAW- Gas Metal Arc Welding (Mig)

  • FCAW- Flux Core Arc Welding (Dual Shield)

  • GTAW- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Tig/Heliarc)

  • OFC- Oxy Fuel Cutting

  • PAC- Plasma Arc Cutting

  • ACAG- Air Carbon Arc Gouging 

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What types of financial aid is available? 

  • Scholarship and grants are accepted. Students must apply individually. 

  • No, we do not accept FAFSA or Pell Grants at this time. AWA is not a title 4 funded school (government funded school). Since we are not a government funded school, we are in charge of our own curriculum which means we can teach what employers are looking for.

  • The AWA high school senior welding competition is an available scholarship. Each participant will receive a $1,ooo scholarship that can be used towards any AWA program. 

  • AWA will credit a student $1,000 if they show proof of their A+ competition through their high school. (signed & sealed transcript with the A+ seal on it) 

What about VA BENEFITS?

AWA is now accepting students who are able to use VA Benefits, Post 9/11 GI Bill. If you, spouse or your parents served in the military you may be eligible for educational benefits. Please click the link below that will take you to the VA website to see if you qualify. 

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American Welding Academy proudly supports our Military veterans and those that currently serve for our country and fight for our freedom.

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GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S.

 

What are the class & office hours? 

  • (Days) M-F: 6:00am-2:30pm 

  • (Evenings) M-F: 2:00pm-10:30pm

  • Office Hours: M-F: 8:00am-3:00pm

  • Saturday & Sundays: CLOSED

 

Does AWA offer Hobbyist classes? 

YES! Please contact us for more information on custom classes. These are special & we would love to schedule you. 

 

What makes AWA different from other schools or programs? 

  • We offer true career readiness programs that give students the opportunity to earn industry recognized welding certifications. We are the next step in welding training after high school/vo-tech training. We offer students/ instructor ratio 16:1, lifetime job assistance and brush up time. We also have a partnership with “Washington Metal Fabricators” that gives our students, if they desire, the opportunity of having a paid internship during their time at AWA. 

  • ECC/ Fast track Welding Program: for introductory skill level or hobbyist, does not offer welding certifications only a certificate of completion for the program which is the same curriculum used in high school/ vo-tech program. 

  • State Technical College/Linn: 2 year program that will include academic classes for associates degree (not required for a welding career). No industry recognized welding certifications offered. Same curriculum as high school/vo-tech program. Higher cost of tuition. 

  • Ranken: 2 year program that will include academic classes for associates degree (not required for a welding career). No industry recognized welding certificates offered. 

  • MWI: less training time (18 week pipe welding program), no fabricator welding course. In Nevada, MO. Located in a very rural area, less opportunity for work while in school. 

What are the housing options?

Variety of housing located all within 10 minutes of AWA. Apartments, Condos & Houses- call today for availability. 

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What is the process to enroll?

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  • First: fill out a registration form. You can either mail it in, personally bring it in or register online.

  • A $100 registration fee is due upon registration (non-refundable) this will secure your spot in the course and date you choose.

  • You will then be getting an acceptance letter in the mail along with your tuition invoice. 

  • Tuition is required to be due in full 2 weeks prior to the start date you have chosen. 


What is there to do located around AWA? 

  • 10 minutes from the Washington Landing (restaurants, shopping, river walk, bars, ice-cream, train museum)

  • 3.4 miles from I-44

  • Local Winerys 

  • 51 minutes from St.Louis International Airport

  • 52 minutes from Chesterfield Valley

  • 50 minutes from downtown St.Louis

  • The Zoo

  • Grants Farm 

  • Science Center

  • Budweiser Brewery

 

Why choose American Welding Academy? 

  • 64 welding booths.

  • Three (3) specialized cells to train Pipe, Fabrication and Structural on ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. 

  • Student to instructor ratio 16:1.

  • Instructors that are rated among the highest skilled in the industry.

  • Instructor that is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector with 15+ years teaching experience. 

  • A learning environment that will include hands-on as well as classroom skills.

  • Opportunity to earn welding certifications prior to program completion. 

  • Curriculum includes: life skills-money management, investment, legal and resume writing. 

  • Help with job placement upon graduation (most students have jobs before graduating) 

  • Competitive tuition pricing.

  • Located close to several major cities.

  • American Welding Academy is partnered with industry leaders. 

  • Lifetime brush up time.

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