Before we talk about automotive scholarships and grants, we want to remind you that specialized schools like automotive school are expensive. In fact, the tuition fees in any school in United States can really put massive financial burdens for the students. However, there are some ways to reduce the cost of education, and the most popular solutions are grants and scholarships.
Grants and scholarships come from various sources, including the government, industry associations, private businesses and nonprofit organizations. Below are some of the sources that may offer grants and scholarships for automotive schools:
List of Automotive Scholarships and Grants Provider
Federal Pell Grant
The first and obvious source of grant would be the Federal Pell Grant. The grant is available for student coming from low-income families. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is used to determine the eligibility of a student for the grant. Submit yours as soon as possible, because the Pell grant has a crucial importance that can help you reduce the tuition fees. It is important to know that the Pell Grant awardees are often eligible for other grants from the government and have higher chance in receiving scholarships and grants from other sources.
Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarships
There are several annual automotive scholarships administered by the Automotive Hall of Fame (http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/). As expected, the scholarship is aimed for but not limited to full-time students who have financial need. To qualify, the students have to enroll in an accredited college and have a minimum of 3.0 GPA. The scholarships are available for freshmen and upper-level undergraduate students at an automotive school. You also need to provide two letters of recommendation.
Alliance of Automotive Service Providers
Meanwhile, there’s another automotive association that provide scholarships and grants called the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (http://www.autoserviceproviders.com/). Through their local affiliates, the association distributes $1,000 scholarships for many students in various states. For example, there are 16 students in MI area who received the scholarships last year. However, since the funding source is based mainly on fundraising effort and partnerships, the number of grant or scholarship awards given each year is not fixed.
Grants from Car Companies
Car related companies are also some of the best sources for automotive scholarships and grants. Some of the most popular options are:
AutoZone
AutoZone provides 15 scholarships worth $2,500 every year. However, the applicant must have a relation to the company. Dependents of Autozone’s employee may be eligible, or employees who are graduating high school seniors. Since there are only 15 spots available, the company will assess the quality of the applicants by looking into their leadership qualities, extracurricular school activities, achievements or community services. Similar program is available from CARQUEST.
The Universal Technical Institutes Foundation
The Universal Technical Institutes Foundation (UTI Foundation – http://www.uti.edu/programs/automotive) is also a great source for grants and scholarships in the automotive and other industry disciplines. There are various scholarships available, such as Advanced Training Scholarship, Bridgestone/Firestone Technical Scholarship, William Burke Student Support Fund, and dozens other financial aid options from UTI and their partners.
Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation
If you’re a woman looking for the automotive scholarships and grants, there are scholarship opportunities available from the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWA – http://www.awafoundation.org/). The scholarship award amount is $2,500 and that can be used for various university fees.
ALU LIKE, Inc. Hana Lima Scholarship
- Award Amount: $1,500
- Grade Level: College Freshmen and Sophomores
- Deadline: April 2025
Are you a Native Hawaiian resident of Hawaii enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits) in a 2-year vocational degree or certification program in Hawaii? If so, you might qualify for the ALU LIKE, Inc. Hana Lima Scholarship! This scholarship offers $1,500 to multiple students each year who are enrolled in a 2-year vocational program at an eligible institution in Hawaii. You can find a list of eligible schools on the ALU LIKE, Inc. website. Applicants need to have at least a 2.0 GPA.
ALU LIKE, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that has been helping Native Hawaiians achieve social and economic independence since 1975. The name ALU LIKE, given by Mary Kawena Pukui, means working, struggling, and striving together. For over twenty years, they have been dedicated to their founders’ vision and mission.
ALU LIKE, Inc. provides a variety of services to meet the needs of the Native Hawaiian community, including economic development, business help, job training, library services, and educational and childcare services for families with young children.
Eligibility Information
This scholarship is available to students who meet the following criteria:
- Grade Level: College Freshmen and Sophomores
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Race/Ethnicity: Native Hawaiian (Asian/Pacific Islander)
- Academic Interest: Fire Science/Firefighting, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Education, Healthcare, Nursing, Welding
- State: Hawaii
- Miscellaneous: Must be of Native Hawaiian Ancestry.
To apply, students need to submit the following materials:
- Birth certificate
- Class schedule
- Account balance (total cost of the program)
- Financial aid award letter/package
- Proof of financial need
- Proof of enrollment
- Academic transcript
If you meet these criteria and are interested in applying, gather your documents and submit your application!
Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant
- Award Amount: Up to $1,000
- Grade Level: College Students
- Deadline: May 2025
Are you a high school graduate from Kansas (or homeschooled) or do you hold a GED? Are you currently enrolled in or accepted into a career technical education program? If yes, you might qualify for the Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant!
This grant provides up to $1,000 per year to several Kansas residents who are enrolled in technical certificate or associate of applied science degree programs in high-demand and critical industry fields. To apply, you need to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the State of Kansas Student Aid Application, and have an official from your educational institution complete the Career Technical Workforce Grant Verification Form.
The Kansas Board of Regents is composed of nine members and governs the state’s six universities. It also acts as the coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions, which include six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges.
The Board oversees student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs in the state. Additionally, it authorizes private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions to operate in Kansas.
This grant is available to students who meet the following criteria:
- Grade Level: College Students
- Academic Interest: Agriculture, Computer Science, Fire Science/Firefighting, HVAC Mechanics, Aviation/Aerospace, Radiology, Animal/Veterinary Sciences, Culinary Arts, Law, Criminal Justice, Healthcare, Dental Health/Services, Nursing, Business, Accounting, Welding
- State: Kansas
To apply, you need to submit the following materials:
- FAFSA
- State of Kansas Student Aid Application (online)
- Completion of the Career Technical Workforce Grant Verification Form by an authorized representative from your educational institution is required.
If you meet these criteria and are interested in applying, be sure to gather your documents and submit your application on time!
Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP)
- Award Amount: Up to $6,000
- Grade Level: College Students
- Deadline: May 2025
Are you a Pennsylvania resident interested in pursuing a career in Energy, Health, Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing, or Agriculture and Food Production? If yes, the Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP) might be the perfect fit for you!
Each year, PA-TIP awards up to $6,000 to Pennsylvania residents to help with educational expenses and living costs. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. Citizens or eligible noncitizens, living in Pennsylvania, and enrolled in an approved program lasting at least 10 weeks but less than two academic years. Check out the scholarship’s website for a list of eligible schools and majors. If you meet the criteria, seize this incredible opportunity! Keep reading to find out more.
This scholarship is available to students who meet the following criteria:
- Grade Level: College Students
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents
- Other Category: Low Income
- State: Pennsylvania
Academic Interest:
- Agriculture,
- HVAC Mechanics
- Education,
- Healthcare,
- Dental Health/Services,
- Nursing, Accounting
In addition to the application materials listed below, honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces must provide a copy of the DD214 Form.
- FAFSA
If you’re eligible and interested, make sure to gather your documents and submit your application before the deadline!
Reference :
- Automotive Hallof Fame – http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/education/scholarships
- Alliance of Automotive Service Providers – http://www.autoserviceproviders.com/
- Carquest – http://www.carquest.com/
- Auto Zone – http://www.autozoneinc.com/about_us/community_relations/autozone_scholarships.html
- Image: newvisions.org
- (https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/search/pennsylvania-targeted-industry-program-pa-tip/)
- (https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/search/kansas-career-technical-workforce-grant/)
- (https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/search/alu-like-inc-hana-lima-scholarship/)