Ferris welding engineering students received $319,000 in scholarships from the American Welding Society, marking a new record for the university.
According to program director Jeffrey Carney, Ferris welding students received 122 of the 716 available AWS scholarships. This means Ferris welding students received 17% of scholarships.
The welding engineering program at Ferris is nationally recognized with 55 graduates last year, more than any other school in the country.
“We have over 1,000 graduates out there in just about every industry that utilizes welding in over forty countries,” Carney said.
Since 1986, Ferris welding students have received a total of over $2.9 million in scholarships from the AWS.
To apply for these scholarships, students must first be a member of the American Welding Society by signing up on their website and paying a small fee. Students then create an academic profile and personal statement and upload their transcripts. Students are then able to apply for national, district and section and district named scholarships they qualify for.
National scholarships are the highest and range from $2,500 to $8,000 and above, district scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500 and above and section and district named scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Welding engineering technology senior Victoria Hall was the recipient of the William A. Rice Family Women in Welding scholarship.
“I’d say for more than half of the scholarships, all you have to do is type your name and submit so it makes it really easy on the student,” Hall said. “I honestly wish more people would do it because it’s so easy and it’s a very reliable scholarship.”
Hall said she decided to go to college after leaving the military and the financial aspect of starting college was something she was worried about. Over the four years in her degree, Hall has received about 10 AWS scholarships totaling roughly $25,000.
“I’m no longer in the military, but I’m getting these AWS scholarships so I’m able to go through college,” Hall said. “I have no student debt because of these scholarships.”
For some scholarships, a short one-to-two paragraph essay about what getting the scholarship would mean for the student is required. Additionally, two recommendations are required to apply for national scholarships.
Welding engineering technology senior Cody Langlois was the recipient of the Robert G. and Annette H. Pali ESAB Scholarship.
“Having the opportunity to even apply for this much money through a single organization is just amazing,” Langlois said.
Both Hall and Langlois stressed how much AWS scholarships have helped them in their college careers.
“I’ve gotten American Welding Society scholarships every year, and if it wasn’t for those scholarships, I probably would not have been through the whole program.” Langlois said.
Applications for 2024 AWS national, section and district scholarships are open now at aws.org, and the deadline to apply is March 1.