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TUITION ASSISTANCE

FINANCING OPTIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS 

American Welding Academy is a new private institution and not a part of the Federal (Nationally Accredited) Program which means we cannot accept Pell Grants and/or FAFSA school loans at this time.  American Welding Academy does accept scholarships and grants. Enrolling students may also use personal loans backed with co-signing guardians and/or collateral to secure funds for tuition. 

VA BENEFITS 

 American Welding Academy is now proudly accepting Veterans Benefits. If you or your parents have served in the military, you may be eligible to receive funding to pay for tuition and housing. Follow the link below for more information to see if you qualify.  Please call American Welding Academy with any questions or concerns.

How To Apply For The GI Bill | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/2019/07/20/gi-bill-benefits-guide/

LOCAL BANKS

  • First Community Credit Union: (636) 728-3333

    • Equity loans and traditional personal loans with variable terms based on qualifications

      Washington Location: (inside Walmart) 1701 A Roy Drive. Washington, MO 63090
    • Eureka Location: 131 Eureka Towne Center Drive. Eureka, MO 63025

    • Chesterfield Location (main office): 17151 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63005

MERITIZE

"Get Credit for your Merit"

We have partnered with the Meritize Platform to provide our students with financing options to fund your education. With a Meritize Loan, you can get credit for your merit and potentially improve your loan options by sharing your academic history or military background, if approved, full deferment during school is available for certain products.

Check your loan options in minutes without impacting your credit score at https://apply.meritize.com

Meritize Lending, LLC, NMLS ID 1661035 (NMLS Consumer Access) https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/ 

Meritize Financial, Inc. NMLS ID 1986399 (NMLS Consumer Access) https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/ 

Pipe Welding & Fitting Loan Application Form:  https://apply.meritize.com/?pc=26029

Fabrication Welding & Fitting Loan Application Form: https://apply.meritize.com/?pc=26030

Terms and Conditions apply. Meritize branded loan products are educational loans issued by Meritize Lending, LLC**. Meritize reserves the right to modify or discontinue products and benefits at any time without notice. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or hold an Employment Authorization Document and meet Meritize’s underwriting requirements. If approved for a loan the actual loan amount, term, payment, and APR amount of loan that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law and other factors. Meritize does not warrant or guarantee any claims made herein, including, but not limited to, gaining admission to a program, concerning the quality or financial strength of any educational institution, securing funding or obtaining employment. Our final loan offer may differ as a result of the school chosen and the associated cost of tuition. Not all schools are eligible for funding. Meritize does not offer educational loans in the following states: IN, ME, NV, SD, VT, WI, PR. All rights reserved. **For residents of SC, loan is made by Meritize Financial, Inc. * Variable rates are subject to change

FAST TRACK WORKFORCE INCENTIVE GRANT

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a program designed to provide adults with the education and skills needed to enter the workforce in fields that are in high demand. Students must be enrolled in a designated program of study at a participating Missouri school.  Apprentices must be participating in an apprenticeship in Missouri that is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and that prepares them for employment in a high demand field as designed by the department.

You must create an account in MDHEWD’s Student Portal to access the application.  Information about the Student Portal is available

To Apply: DEADLINE May 15th 2023

  • Login to the State Financial Aid Portal.

  • Select the Estimate Eligibility link in the menu at the top of the page.

  • Select the appropriate academic year from the “Select an academic year” dropdown menu.

  • Click the Apply link in the Fast Track Workforce Incentive grant row of the table.

You must upload a copy of your most recent Missouri 1040 Individual Income Tax Return to complete your application. For the 2022-2023 academic year, summer and fall coursework will be covered but awards will be made retroactively.

Elks Club, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce: (CHECK LOCAL TO YOU) 

  • Check in with these local clubs to see if they have any local scholarships, you could potentially apply for!

A+ SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM  

American Welding Academy will provide each “A+ Program” student a $1,000 scholarship for tuition.  You must provide AWA with a signed and sealed A+ transcript. Upon request, your High Schools will mail them out to our school. (This will only be acknowldeged one year from your High School graduation date).

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

American Welding Academy does accept scholarships and grants.  Potential students are encouraged to investigate and apply for any scholarships and grants available that the student may be eligible for as this is a very useful tool in securing funding for program tuition. The following scholarships are specifically geared for vocational training. This is not a comprehensive list of all scholarship/grant opportunities available as there are thousands more not described below, it is highly recommended to investigate your local scholarship opportunities available. 

Each scholarship & grant have different requirements and timing to apply.  Please check each one to verify eligibility.

  • David Browning Memorial Scholarship 

    • American Welding Academy’s staff & students lost one of our own on September 13th 2023. For someone taken too soon, David accomplished so much. He was very ambitious at work as a welder and we feel as an appreciation and acknowledgment to David ​​​we would like to bring light to his memory by creating this scholarship

    • If you are interested in applying for the David Browning Memorial Scholarship, please follow this link and follow all the necessary steps in doing so. 

    • Applications MUST be mailed to (American Welding Academy. Attn: Adam Holt. 3 Progress Parkway. Union, MO 63084)

  • American Welding Society (AWS) Scholarships 

https://scholarship.aws.org/applications/  

  • Register 

  • Save information

  • Once you receive a verification email, log into account and continue to follow the process.

  • Associated General Contractors of American Scholarship 

AGC of Missouri Education Foundation Scholarship Program (mykaleidoscope.com)

  • Tammy Stratman Brown Charities Vocational and Trade School Scholarship- Scholarship Central 

Tammy Stratman Brown Charities Vocational and Trade School Scholarship - Scholarship Central (academicworks.com)

Tammy Stratman Brown Charities awards scholarships based on the Passion of the recipient for their desired field. Not all Passions require a college degree. This scholarship is for those whose desire to create, construct or beautify does not lead them to a college degree, but to technical and vocational training or certification programs.

  • National FFA Scholarships

https://www.ffa.org/participate/scholarships

https://www.ffa.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/scholarship_2017_catalog.pdf

  • Mike Rowe Works Scholarship  

profoundlydisconnected.com

  • MISSOURI FARM BUREAU 

Foundation for Agriculture Vocational Scholarship  

https://mofb.org/scholarships-and-grants 

  • USA Grant Applications  

https://usagrantapplications.org/free-college-grants/index-v2.php#form 

  • Financial Resources and Discounts for Students with Disabilities  

Guide to various financial resources, discounts and savings opportunities, and travel tips for students with disabilities.  

https://couponfollow.com/research/financial-resources-for-students-with-disabilities 

  • Pureland Supply Skilled Trades Scholarship 

The $1000.00 Pureland Supply Scholarship is available to students who have been accepted to an accredited trade school, vocational college, technical school, or community college for the study of trade, craft, or labor occupations. 

https://www.purelandsupply.com/t-scholarship.aspx 

  • National Youth Safety Essay Scholarship Contest  

Students are encouraged to create a written or video essay describing how the OSHA 10-Hour training has made an impact in the way they recognize hazards and how it will be a benefit to their future. CareerSafe will select up to four (4) students to be awarded a $500 scholarship each quarter. 

https://www.careersafeonline.com/scholarships/essay-contest 

  • 80 in 80 Ferguson Roofing Scholarship  

For trade students in Automotive, Construction, Electrical, IT, Mechanical or other trades. Ferguson Roofing is offering scholarships to deserving youth in our local community. For more info, see link next cell. 

https://fergusonroofing.com/80in80/ 

BARRIERS TO LEARNING & DISABILITIES 

  • WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) 

 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) WIOA training is for occupations that are in-demand and are directly linked to employment opportunities in the local area. Register at www.jobs.mo.gov  

Map of Counties Served: 

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/VR-OfficeMap.pdf 

List of Office and Contact: 

https://dese.mo.gov/adult-learning-rehabilitation-services/vocational-rehabilitation/vr-offices 

Brochure: 

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/VR-Q&AWebStevens.pdf 

WIOA training is for occupations that are in-demand and are directly linked to employment opportunities in the local area.  Register at www.jobs.mo.gov   

MISSOURI RESIDENT: Please call the Missouri Job Center. MO WIOA assistance: Phone#: (636) 524-8592 or 636-524-8562

ILLINOIS RESIDENT: Please call the Illinois Job Center. IL WIOA operations coordinator, Tony Logue- Phone#: (217) 238-8392

  • MISSOURI VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 

VR specializes in employment and training services that can assist you in becoming employed. A VR counselor will determine your eligibility for services. To be eligible, you need to have a physical or mental impairment that causes problems with working and need VR services to be successfully employed.

https://dese.mo.gov/adult-learning-rehabilitation-services/vocational-rehabilitation

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