Private Scholarship Opportunities

Sources for private scholarships include high school counselors, libraries, employment agencies, community organizations, and online. If you receive a private scholarship, you or the awarding organizations should submit notification letters to the SBWI Main Office. Mailing Address 1375 N. Main St. Building #41 Adrian, MI.

Below you will find information on scholarships that may assist you in funding your education at the SBWI.

Please let us know if you need any information from us!

 
 

Wood Industry Association (WIA) Scholarship

Are you a student currently studying or interested in studying woodworking in college? If so, the Wood Industry Association (WIA) is here to help. Every year, we award scholarships to college students pursuing studies in wood technology, machinery, and related fields. To date, the Wood Industry Association and former WMIA Education Foundation have awarded over $551,000 to 298 students. Scholarship applications are accepted from September through January.

Learn more here: https://woodindustry.org/page/scholarship


Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship

- They typically receive 800 applications, and award about 360 scholarships.

- If you put in ANY EFFORT you will likely receive the scholarship (they are pretty open about this)

There are hoops to jump through:

  • Enroll in an approved program.

  • Sign the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.

  • Answer 4 questions about the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.

  • Make a video.

  • Have 2 solid references from a teacher or boss.

  • Verify your school costs.

  • Provide high school or college transcript.

  • Submit your most recent 1040 tax form.

Scholarship opens up in January for 2 months. Payments are issued in July.

Apply here: https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/


Louis “Lumber Lou” Chicquette Memorial Scholarship

Named after veteran Louis Chicquette who worked in the lumber industry most of his life. He served in WWII as a gunman on a B-52 bomber and joined the lumber industry when he returned home from service. He was still working at 100 years old when he passed away in the Fall of 2024.

We have confirmed the Wood Design program does meet the educational requirements.

The scholarship requires having one job or internship in a wood related business, but they will also consider military service as Lou was a veteran himself.

The scholarship requires three references, one of which must be from an LSLA company representative. Please list Steve Peters of Rockland Flooring as one of your references. 

They will award one $5000 scholarship in the beginning of January each year.

The url for the scholarship application: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://files.constantcontact.com/3ba831f7301/cd6ea360-82b1-4857-9a1b-993408131101.pdf?rdr=true

Application deadline: January 8, 2024 (postmarked or emailed)


Home Depot Scholarships for Women

The Home Depot Foundation announced an investment of $200,000 in trade school scholarships for women, in celebration of Women in Construction Week (March 5-11). The Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro Scholarship for Women will provide $4,000 in financial assistance to women entering or currently enrolled in construction trades programs.

There are nearly 400,000 open construction roles nationwide, and The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics reports only about 11% of construction workers are women.

“The Home Depot Foundation has invested more than half of a million dollars in trade school scholarships to extend support beyond our training programs and help bridge the opportunity gap for more students seeking high-earning careers,” said Shannon Gerber, The Home Depot Foundation’s executive director. “We’re proud to have trained more than 39,000 trades professionals and awarded nearly 200 trade school scholarships to-date, and we’re thrilled to continue that momentum with an intentional focus on women.”

In line with its mission to serve U.S. military veterans, The Home Depot Foundation will partner with various veteran service organizations to help identify eligible veterans and veteran family members for this scholarship opportunity.

SkillPointe Foundation will partner to administer scholarships nationwide and recipients will be selected based on requirements including:

  • Candidate must be female

  • Candidate must be a high school graduate or have a GED equivalent

  • Candidate must intend to enroll or be currently enrolled in an accredited construction trade college or postsecondary program in the U.S.

Learn more here: https://corporate.homedepot.com/news/foundation-and-community/home-depot-foundation-grant-200000-trade-school-scholarships-women


Chairmaker’s Toolbox - The Living Tools

The Living Tools supports the diversification of our craft. We believe that the shared love of handwork is a unifier and that people can find connection through a desire to live a life in craft. The Living Tools fosters a community that welcomes and respects everyone while not discriminating based on our differences in age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, philosophical or political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, and socioeconomic status. We work to provide an environment that centers the needs of historically excluded crafts people and encourage all interested applicants to apply.

Visit their website to view available tool collections: https://www.thechairmakerstoolbox.com/the-living-tools


Ronald Reeves Job Readiness Training Grant

The Lenawee County Education Foundation (LCEF) announces a new grant available to Lenawee County residents seeking to obtain training for a job or bettering their current job or obtaining a General Education Degree (GED). The grant, titled the Ronald Reeves Job Readiness Training Grant, will cover up to 90% of the cost of the course work, not to exceed $2,500. Grant applicants must be a high school graduate or completing their GED and must be a resident of Lenawee County.

This grant must be used toward the completion of post-secondary training or a GED. This training must take place at an accredited or certified trades or vocational education program. The grant is an annual reward and may be reapplied for each year. There is no deadline to apply for the Job Readiness Training Grant, and applications are continually reviewed and awarded periodically throughout the year.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTnW2mshe__nu3gXkI6oA5PBJ0LppiLCNUiBaaqoC_r16ZXg/viewform


Lenawee County Education Foundation (LCEF) Scholarships

Student scholarships provide Lenawee County students and families with financial support that assists them in pursuing higher education. Scholarship eligibility varies and is generally established by the donor.

2024 Scholarships - Applications Open December 1!

Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by March 1, 2024.

Learn more here: https://www.lisd.us/career-college/lcef/scholarships/


Society of American Period Furniture Makers Grants

SAPFM is seeking candidates/applicants for education grants. The grants are not directly need-based but will focus on the candidates’ interest in period furniture construction and restoration.

Grants may be awarded in any of three categories:

  • Support for full time academic study is a field directly related to period furniture making, but not exclusively as a period cabinetmaker.

  • Support for research for a book or article directly related to period furniture. This could be used for travel, materials, photography, etc., as proposed by the applicant.

  • Support for attendance by a student at a seminar or conference such as, but not limited to, the CWF Working Wood Conference, Winterthur Furniture Forum, or MESDA’s Furniture Conference.

Applications for scholarship assistance for a school year must be received by June 30 (e.g., June 30, 2022 for the 2022/2023 school year).

Apply here: https://sapfm.org/about-sapfm/sapfm/educational-grants


Berkshire Woodworkers Guild Scholarship

They are seeking applicants who exhibit a strong, demonstrable determination to become professional woodworkers. 

Scholarships may be used to attend schools, conferences, classes, workshops and other events that meet the approval of the Guild’s scholarship review committee. In general, any program that contributes to the education of the applicant in the area of woodworking will qualify. Preference is given for long-term, continuous programs that lead to certification or a degree in the profession. 

Application deadline is May 1. The scholarship amount is $2,500.

Apply here: https://berkshirewoodworkers.org/scholarshipapplication


Bring Back the Trades Scholarship

Bring Back the Trades Inc. awards monthly scholarships during the school calendar year to students from across the United States who are attending post-secondary education in the Skilled Trades.

Monthly scholarships of $1,000 are awarded each month and sent directly to the secondary school the award recipient is attending.

Apply here: https://bringbackthetrades.org/scholarship


Lake Trust Foundation Scholarships

Since 2013, the Lake Trust Foundation has awarded a cumulative total value of $1.6 million in college and trade school scholarships to students in Michigan. With an understanding that an education can open doors to new opportunities, we’re proud to support individuals on their path to a new career.

Apply here: https://laketrust.org/foundation/scholarships

New Beginnings Scholarships: The New Beginnings Scholarship supports those who are interested in pursuing a skilled trade or technical career (ex: electrical, HVAC, construction, welding, plumbing, nursing, EMT etc.). Employers in these categories are facing shortages and jobs are in high demand. This year, up to four New Beginnings Scholarships are available, and are worth up to $7,500. Funds can be used for tuition, tools for your trade, professional fees, or dues.

Deadline to apply: Applications for the Michigan Impact Scholarship and New Beginnings Scholarship close at 11:59 PM on March 24.


American Association of University Women Career Development Grants

Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education; health and medical sciences; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose last degree was received before June 30, 2015. Funds are available for tuition, fees, books, supplies, local transportation and dependent care.

AAUW originally designed Career Development Grants in 1972 to offer “encouragement” funding to AAUW members seeking to renew or resume academic work for credit toward career or employment advancement.

Today, grants support course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, certification program or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Course work must be taken at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for doctorate-level work.

Funding: $2,000–$20,000

Opens: August 1 every year

Deadline: November 15 every year

Learn more here: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/career-development/


The Associated General Contractors (AGC) Scholarship Program

The AGC Education and Research Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE-accredited construction management or construction related engineering programs. Over $10 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 4,000 students attending colleges and universities across the country.

Apply here: https://www.agc.org/learn/education-and-research-foundation/scholarship-program


 
 
 

Scholarships for US Army Veterans

Learn more here: https://edubirdie.com/blog/scholarships-for-veterans


DeWalt Trades Scholarship

Stanley Black & Decker has established the DEWALT Trades Scholarship to assist individuals attending a two-year college or vocational-technical school who are pursuing a trade degree/certificate in an industry aligned with the Stanley Black & Decker Trade Goals – including but are not limited to Construction, Industrial, Motor/Power Sector, Mechanics, and Technology.

Learn more here: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/DEWALTtrade/

Deadline to apply: January 17, 2024


Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Scholarship

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs provides scholarships up to $3,500 for students pursuing degrees that will lead to manufacturing careers.

Learn more here: https://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/scholarships

FALL 2024: Opens: January 1, 2024, Closes: March 31, 2024

SPRING 2025: Opens: July 1, 2024, Closes: September 30, 2024


National Association of Women in Construction Scholarships

The NAWIC Founders' Scholarship Foundation (NFSF) assists in providing the construction industry with trained employees through higher education. The construction industry encompasses almost every professional discipline, including trades, project management, administrative, legal, financial, insurance, and business owner. The NAWIC Founders Scholarship Foundation (NFSF) is here to help.

Each year we are pleased to award over $100,000 to worthy recipients in construction-related programs. Award amounts range from $500 to $2,500. Some local chapters award scholarships as well. For questions on eligibility please see below or email us at nfsf@nawic.org.

CONSTRUCTION TRADES SCHOLARSHIP: Due Feb 28th

Learn more here: https://nawic.org/education/nfsf-scholarships/


American Postal Workers Union Scholarships

Vocational Scholarship winners will receive up to $3,000 for specialized training in such fields as culinary arts, medical or dental assistant, electrician, real estate, auto mechanic, certified IT/computer education, cosmetology, or massage therapy, etc. Eligible programs can be of a nine-month to three-year duration.

The scholarships are open only to high school seniors.

Apply here: https://apwu.org/vocational-scholarship

Deadline: March 31, 2024


Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship Program

In January 2020, Lockheed Martin launched the Vocational Scholarship program to support students of all ages participating in skills-based training in engineering, technology and advanced manufacturing fields. The Vocational Scholarship program is a critical component of Lockheed Martin’s investment in workforce development and education.

In 2024, Lockheed Martin’s Vocational Scholarship Program will award up to $5,000 to as many as 150 recipients.

Applications are now open!

Learn more here: https://lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/communities/stem-education/lockheed-martin-vocational-scholarship.html


Architectural Woodwork Institute Educational Foundation

AWIEF allocates funds to a yearly scholarship fund, ensuring deserving students receive the support they need.

The scholarships cover:

Tuition fees for woodworking courses or programs.

Materials and resources necessary for practical projects.

This scholarship does require that you have an instructor nominate you, but it only requires one short form and a letter of recommendation from the instructor. Learn more and apply: AWIEF Scholarships: Cultivating Woodworking Excellence

Deadline: January 31, 2024