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
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First Community Credit Union: (636) 728-3333
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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
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Chesterfield Location (main office): 17151 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63005
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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
Eligibility:
To be eligible, you must:
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Be either:
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At least 25 years old, or
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If you are a student, have not enrolled in an educational program (high school or postsecondary) in the last two years, or
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If you are an apprentice, have not been enrolled in a postsecondary program in the last two years, unless the program relates to your current apprenticeship.
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Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
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Be a Missouri resident, an active-duty member of the U.S. military transferred to Missouri, or the spouse of an active-duty military member.
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If you are a student who is a Missouri resident, you must have been a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
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Apprentices need to be a Missouri resident, but do not need to be a resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
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Have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), if applicable. check with your provider to see if a FAFSA® is required to determine your Fast Track award.
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Have a federal adjusted gross income as documented on your most recent Missouri 1040 Individual Income Tax Return (or federal 1040 form if you're active-duty military) of either:
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$80,000 or less if your tax filing status is married filing jointly, or
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$40,000 or less for any other tax filing status.
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For students, enroll in an eligible program at least half-time.
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For apprentices, be formally participating in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved and DHEWD designated apprenticeship and meeting any requirements defined by your apprenticeship provider.
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Have not yet received a bachelor's degree.
To Apply:
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Login to the State Financial Aid Portal.
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Select the Estimate Eligibility link in the menu at the top of the page.
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Select the appropriate academic year from the “Select an academic year” dropdown menu.
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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. Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue (https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/individual/) for questions regarding your Missouri 1040 Individual Income Tax Return.
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.
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David Browning Memorial Scholarship
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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.
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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.
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Applications MUST be mailed to (American Welding Academy. Attn: Adam Holt. 3 Progress Parkway. Union, MO 63084)
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American Welding Society (AWS) Scholarships
https://scholarship.aws.org/applications/
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Register
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Save information
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Once you receive a verification email, log into account and continue to follow the process.
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Associated General Contractors of American Scholarship
AGC of Missouri Education Foundation Scholarship Program (mykaleidoscope.com)
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Tammy Stratman Brown Charities Vocational and Trade School Scholarship- Scholarship Central
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.
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National FFA Scholarships
https://www.ffa.org/participate/scholarships
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Mike Rowe Works Scholarship
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MISSOURI FARM BUREAU
Foundation for Agriculture Vocational Scholarship
https://mofb.org/scholarships-and-grants
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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
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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.
Pureland Supply $500 Skilled Trade and Vocational Scholarship Fall 2020
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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.
National Youth Safety Essay Scholarship Contest | CareerSafe (careersafeonline.com)
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The Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarship Program
This program is designed to remove a portion of the financial burden for a woman associated with higher education, one of many barriers that could prohibit women from pursuing a career in the trades.
BARRIERS TO LEARNING & DISABILITIES
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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-servicdes/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 in your area.
ILLINOIS RESIDENT: Please call the Illinois Job Center. IL WIOA operations coordinator in your area.
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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