One of the benefits of SkillsUSA membership is the opportunity to apply for scholarships available only to SkillsUSA members. During the 2023-24 school year, more than $400,000 in annual scholarships were awarded to SkillsUSA high school and college/postsecondary members to offset the cost of postsecondary education and training. Additionally, multiple scholarships were awarded to offset the cost of attending SkillsUSA events such as the National Leadership & Skills Conference and the Washington Leadership and Training Institute.
Please note that other scholarship opportunities may also become available outside of these dates. SkillsUSA members are encouraged to monitor this page to access scholarship applications and review updates!
A big thanks to all the generous sponsors who provide these unique scholarship opportunities to our SkillsUSA members!
All applicants to the scholarship opportunities provided below must:
Note: College/postsecondary tuition scholarship award funds are remitted directly to the student’s chosen college/postsecondary institution, NOT to the student. Check out this helpful guide for submitting a quality scholarship application.
Click on the statements below that best apply to you for specific guidance on which scholarship opportunities you may want to consider. You don’t have to choose just one! For additional questions, please reach out to Amy Bridgeman, Scholarship Program Manager, at abridgeman@skillsusa.org.
Keep reading to review the full descriptions for each SkillsUSA annual scholarship. Please be sure to check each individual scholarship for application close date so you don’t miss out.
SkillsUSA is thrilled to announce that we’ve once again partnered with Aerotek for the fourth round of the “Make Your Mark” Scholarship Program!
The “Make Your Mark” scholarship program supports the SkillsUSA Career Model and expands the talent pipeline to remove barriers of entry to education and training. Aerotek’s intention is to develop the pipeline of future skilled trades leaders and improve economic outcomes for SkillsUSA members.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to make your mark!
If selected to receive a scholarship, the award amount will be based on the selected recipients’ verifiable educational costs for the FALL 2025 term ONLY. The scholarship award will be issued to the recipient’s postsecondary institution to be applied directly to the recipient’s FALL 2025 account balance. If the recipient has expenses that cannot be paid out directly from SkillsUSA to the postsecondary institution or apprenticeship provider, recipients must provide documented proof of educational expenses (receipts for tools purchased or a letter from the institution that lists required tools and total estimated costs) to receive a direct payment or reimbursement for verified educational expenses. If selected, these documents will be required as part of the Scholarship Acceptance Form.
The maximum award amount for any recipient is $5,000. Award funding will only be issued for the education costs that are verified by the recipient.
To explore the Eligibility Criteria, review the flyer:
SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. Since 2020, the Clifford H. Ted Rees Jr. Scholarship Foundation has contributed $100,000 to SkillsUSA and awarded 36 scholarships to SkillsUSA recipients
Must be a current HVAC student planning to continue study at the college/postsecondary level. Must be an 11th or 12th grade high school student OR college/postsecondary student to apply.
The SkillsUSA–Bob Westphal Memorial Scholarship provides annual scholarship awards to applicants who demonstrate promise in the construction trades, with an emphasis on sustainability.
Must be a student in an energy construction pathway and planning to continue study at the college/postsecondary level. Must be an 11th or 12th grade high school student OR college/postsecondary student to apply.
The Bob Westphal Memorial Scholarship program was established to honor the memory of Robert H. Westphal (1944-2020) in recognition of his impact on the oil and gas pipeline industry. The program is aimed at assisting students interested in pursuing a career in energy construction. Westphal committed a lifetime of leadership in pipeline construction. He gave back to the industry in many ways, including leadership positions with industry associations and in working with labor organizations.
Apply here beginning Jan. 2, 2025!
Must be a student in a homebuilding-related pathway (such as plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, electrical, etc.) and planning to continue study at the college/postsecondary level. Must be a grade 11 or 12 high school student OR college/postsecondary student to apply.
Apply here beginning Jan. 2, 2025!
Must be a student enrolled in an architectural drafting program and planning to continue study at the college/postsecondary level. Must be an 11th or 12th grade high school student.
Larry Rash grew up building with Legos in grade school. As a young adult, he studied drafting and architecture at D. Russell Lee Vocational School near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he also had a co-op position at Steed, Hammond and Paul Architects. He earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering technology from the University of Cincinnati in 1982 and gained his registration from the State of Wisconsin in 1996.
Larry worked for Ryland Homes for over 20 years. In 2010, Larry joined Davis Bews Design Group (DBDG) in Tampa, Fla. At DBDG, Larry provided QA reviews of every plan before it left the office. He also researched building codes and provided quality feedback to drafters so they understood the “why” behind specific building requirements and regulations. Larry also regularly attended local builder association meetings and kept staff and clients up to date on changes and trends in the industry.
Larry enjoyed being challenged, and one of his favorite hobbies included visiting and photographing architectural sites in his spare time. His life passion was designing homes where families could live out their dreams. We know that he would be honored to sponsor young individuals pursuing careers in architecture.
Must be a SkillsUSA state officer and high school senior OR college/postsecondary student to apply.
During Marsha Daves’ impactful SkillsUSA career, she served many roles, from SkillsUSA Oklahoma director to SkillsUSA national staff member. She inspired the creation of Oklahoma’s Marsha Daves Lifetime Achievement Award and earned SkillsUSA’s Honorary Life Award. Marsha was an educator, advisor, mentor and friend, and she changed many lives along the way. That legacy continues through this scholarship.
NAPA is proud to partner with SkillsUSA to support the next generation of skilled professionals. This scholarship is dedicated to students in the transportation repair pathway who demonstrate a commitment to learning, excellence and advancing the future of the industry.
We recognize the vital role that skilled technicians play in keeping our communities moving. This scholarship represents NAPA’s unwavering commitment to empowering young talent and shaping the future of our industry.
SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. We’re a student-led partnership of education and industry that’s building the future of the skilled workforce. Representing nearly 400,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Our mission is accomplished through the SkillsUSA Framework of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills Grounded in Academics, which is integrated into classroom curriculum.
To be eligible to apply, applicants must be:
Must be a member of both SkillsUSA and NTHS. Must be a current high school or college/postsecondary student (any grade/year). Applicants from all skilled trades pathways are encouraged to apply.
The Sharon Melton Myers Memorial Fund, SkillsUSA and the McMinn County Vocational Center Alumni Association are offering two high school seniors who are members of SkillsUSA a one-time $1,000 scholarship to support the continuance of their education in college or technical school.
Must be a current high school senior. Applicants from all CTE pathways are encouraged to apply.
Sharon Ruth Melton Myers was an active member of the McMinn County Vocational Center SkillsUSA Chapter from 1985 through 1988. During this time, Sharon participated in local, state and national SkillsUSA activities. She served as a local officer in 1986 and 1987, Tennessee state secretary in 1986-87, and president of SkillsUSA’s national officer team in 1987-88. She also participated in her chapter’s Opening and Closing Team in 1986-88. Following graduation from McMinn High in 1988, Sharon continued as a tireless supporter of SkillsUSA, serving as a national officer trainer for several years. She was integral in establishing a Tennessee SkillsUSA Alumni Charter and Constitution while attending David Lipscomb College in Nashville. Sharon was dedicated to the ideals of SkillsUSA and its mission, and her proud legacy continues through this unique scholarship.
The Sharon Melton Myers Scholarship Review Committee is comprised of The Melton Family and The Creasman Family (family of Carl Creasman, Sr., Sharon’s SkillsUSA Advisor).
In partnership with SkillsUSA, WD-40 is proudly sponsoring and inspiring the next generation to pursue their passion for skill-related careers. Recognizing the vital role skilled trades play in driving America’s progress, WD-40 is encouraging students to advance their education in these fields by offering ten $1,500 postsecondary scholarships to SkillsUSA members. These scholarships are available to students pursuing education in trade areas such as CNC, HVAC, Electrical Construction Wiring, Welding, Automotive Service Technology, or other Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics fields.
Selection Process:
To be eligible to apply, applicants must:
In partnership with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, SkillsUSA is proud to announce this scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA high school members competing at the 2025 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in specific skilled trades or leadership competitions.
Eligible members can apply to receive up to $1,500 to assist in attending the 2025 NLSC. Recipients of scholarship funds must agree to use the funds for reasonable and appropriate costs of travel, lodging, and the cost of registration for the 2025 NLSC, as described in the online application.
In partnership with Hyundai, SkillsUSA is proud to announce this scholarship opportunity for SkillsUSA high school and college-postsecondary members competing at the 2025 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Auto Service Technology or Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair competitions.
Eligible members can apply to receive up to $1,500 to assist in attending the 2025 NLSC. Recipients of scholarship funds must agree to use the funds for reasonable and appropriate costs of travel, lodging, and the cost of registration for the 2025 NLSC, as described in the online application.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:
The Hyundai Travel Scholarship application opens on March 25, 2025, and the deadline to apply is May 26, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive financial assistance for NLSC!
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide support for top students who have insufficient chapter, school or community resources to participate in Leverage, a national-level SkillsUSA leadership training held prior to SkillsUSA’s annual National Leadership & Skills Conference.
Only SkillsUSA state association directors may submit applications for scholarship candidates to attend Leverage. Each state association, including both high school and college/postsecondary associations in applicable states, may submit an application for each state officer on their team. Once nomination applications are received, a panel of SkillsUSA staff and leadership trainers will evaluate the applications and select recipients.
This scholarship is made possible due to a generous contribution from Robert L. Flint, a former Caterpillar executive and longtime supporter of SkillsUSA.
The 2024 recipients of the Robert L. Flint Foundation Leverage Scholarship are as follows:
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide support for top students who have insufficient chapter, school or community resources to attend SkillsUSA’s Washington Leadership and Training Institute (WLTI). This scholarship is made possible due to a generous contribution from Robert L. Flint, a former Caterpillar executive and longtime supporter of SkillsUSA.
Acceptance is based on student’s resume; description of their school; community, church and family involvement; and a 300-word essay. Submitted attachments must be error-free and complete.
Note: State Directors submit this on behalf of the student.
Deadline: Aug. 15
Federal Student Aid provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study to colleges and career schools each year. The free application (FAFSA) is the starting point to learn what students could qualify for from the federal government, state government, and the school they choose to attend. Find more information through the Student Aid Report. Also available is the Financial Aid Toolkit.
This site is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. You do not need to pay ever to file a FAFSA.
Hope Fund Impact Update
SkillsUSA is proud to share that the Hope Fund Scholarship provided support this year to 12 state associations, directly impacting 52 students. These funds helped students cover tuition costs to further their education in the skilled trades and supported participation for local chapter officers, state events, and the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC).
The Hope Fund is now closed for this year and will reopen next year. We invite you to be part of this impactful effort by contributing to the Hope Fund. Your support helps students access opportunities that prepare them for career success and personal growth.
Together, we can continue making a difference.
