Scholarships aren’t just for students attending a traditional 4-year college. Many contests exist for students entering a trade school, and any amount, no matter how big or small, will mean less expenses you have to pay out of pocket. We highlight seven scholarships below for students interested in trade schools. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. Review the details of each one and encourage any interested students you know to apply on time.
HVAC Hero Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the online application, including a transcript, a recent headshot, and an essay or video explaining why you are interested in HVAC.
Eligibility: Open to students planning to enroll or currently enrolled at an accredited institution pursuing an associate degree, certificate, or diploma in an HVAC technical program with at least a 2.0 GPA
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 31, 2025
Website: https://alwaysindemand.com/scholarship/apply-now/
Women in HVACR Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the application, with at least two reference letters, your transcript, and a headshot, and submit an essay of at least 500 words on what motivated you to seek a career in the HVACR industry, your professional goals, the importance of your major in today’s society, and what you feel are the most important issues facing your field today.
Eligibility: Open to women currently enrolled in a college or trade school preparing them to enter into the HVACR industry with at least a 3.0 GPA
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 1, 2025
Website: https://www.womeninhvacr.org/scholarships
Horatio Alger Career & Technical Education Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the application.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in an associate degree, certificate, or diploma program by September 2025 and demonstrate financial need
Amount: Up to $2,500
Deadline: June 15, 2025 (with a rolling selection process)
Website: https://horatioalger.org/career-technical-education-scholarships/
SkillPointe Foundation Scholarship
How to Apply: Submit two short essays on your background and where you see yourself post-graduation.
Eligibility: Open to students pursuing technical/vocational training for high-demand careers including construction, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, transportation, and other fields that don’t require a four-year degree; this scholarship is exclusively for individuals wishing to gain a certificate, credential, or 2-year degree
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 30, 2025
Website: https://www.myscholarship.app/skillpointefoundation
Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro Scholarship
How to Apply: Submit two short essays on what is driving your passion to pursue a career in the skilled trades and how this scholarship and education will help you achieve your career goals.
Eligibility: Must be a high school senior or graduate enrolled or planning to enroll in an approved trade-related program at an accredited U.S. two-year school (technical/vocational school or college) focused on carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, construction management, or building-related fields
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: June 30, 2025
Website: https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/skillpointefoundation_homedepot-pathtopro
Beauty & Wellness Professionals Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the application and submit a 3-minute maximum video responding to one of five prompts related to your career goals and beauty school.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. resident currently enrolled, or planning to an enroll before the scholarship deadline, in an eligible beauty program including Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Barbering, Electrology, Laser Hair Removal, Trichology, Hair Design, Hair Braiding, Makeup Artistry, Permanent Makeup, Nail Technology, Salon Management, Cosmetology Teaching, or another relevant beauty industry program
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: September 1, 2025
Website: https://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/cosmetology-school-scholarships
NAWIC Construction Trades Scholarship
How to Apply: Complete the application, including a transcript and a one-page response addressing all essay questions listed in the application concerning your career goals in the construction industry.
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a construction-related training program that is approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, a community college, a technical school, or equivalent, and obtaining training in a construction-related craft or trade
Amount: Awards start from $1,000
Deadline: February 28, 2026
Website: https://nawic.org/education/nfsf-scholarships/
Scholarships should be considered a small—yet still important—source of revenue for college. Data shows that most families pay for college using parent and student income, savings, and loans. Most scholarship recipients receive $2,500 or less, and only 0.1% of undergraduate students receive $25,000 or more in scholarship funds. In addition to looking for scholarships to help pay for college, families should apply for financial aid and consider saving in a dedicated college savings account.
