Scholarships
The American Welding Society Foundation awards over $1.5 million annually for education and training in welding and related fields!
Students in the Central Louisiana Section may be eligible for the following scholarships:
National, District, and Section Scholarships – Deadline March 1st for the following fall term
National Scholarships
For students pursuing a specific degree at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university. Scholarships range from $2,000 – $6,000+.
District Scholarships
A minimum of $10,000 is available in each of AWS’s 22 Districts for students pursuing a degree or certificate in a welding or welding-related program. Scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $2,500+.
Section and District Named Scholarships
James A. Hayes Sr. Memorial Scholarship (Central Louisiana Section)
James Anderson Hayes, Jimmy as he was known to his friends and family, was born with an insatiable desire to build things. His skills as a welder were always fundamental to his ability to bring ideas to life. After spending 11 years working out of the back of his truck and his garage, Jimmy took the leap to start his own company: Economy Welding Service in July of 1956. It was this calculated risk that would eventually evolve into Hayes Manufacturing Company. Mr. Hayes was known throughout the state of Louisiana for being an exceptional welder. He tackled jobs no one else would and repaired things other people said were impossible to fix.
Mr. Hayes graduated from Bolton High School and joined the United States Army shortly thereafter. He was stationed in a rehab unit at an Army Hospital. It was there that he taught machining and welding to soldiers recovering from wounds they received in the war. He was proud that he was teaching them a skill he knew could provide them with a good job and a stable career without having to go to college once they returned to civilian life.
Central Louisiana Section 509 – HJ Greer Memorial Scholarship
Introduction
Henry James Greer was born on June 13, 1925. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Italy an was a Tank Sergeant for the duration of the War, and was honorably discharged in 1945. After the war, he proceeded into the workforce. He began welding at the age of 16, instructed by his Uncle Barney Greer. After serving in the war, he returned to work in his career. He owned his own welding & machine shop – Greer’s Welding Service. His main contribution was to the educational field where he worked as a welding instructor at the Alexandria Trade School from 1967 – 1980. During his tenure as welding instructor, he has influenced and guided many young, ambitious students to success. Many went on to become successful business owners, welders, instructors, and active members within their local American Welding Society sections. His students affectionately called him “the old man” or simply “HJ.” He resided in the Central Louisiana area until his death on January 25, 2013.
Because of H. J. Greer’s passion for welding, his enthusiastic approach to training, and the impact that he made within the Central Louisiana area, the AWS Central Louisiana Section 509 has elected to name their scholarship after this significant individual.
The receipt of this scholarship should be seeking a career in a field related to welding. They should be highly motivated, willing to learn, and at the end of their career be willing to pass their knowledge to a younger generation.
Purpose
The Central Louisiana Section is seeking to endow this scholarship as an opportunity to further the mission of the American Welding Society’s mission statement to advance the science, technology, and the application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide. As in the case of H.J. Greer, one individual can have a resounding effect on the lives of many. For this reason, we endow this scholarship.
Section Scholarship Eligibility
The Scholarship will be awarded to provide funding for a student pursuing studies in welding at a certificate or degree granting institution.
- Applicant must be a minimum of eighteen years of age.
- Applicant must have a minimum high school diploma.
- Applicant must have a 2.8 overall grade point average.
- Applicant must provide a letter indicating how they will use their welding education.
- Student must be enrolled full time.
- Proof of financial need is not required to qualify.
- Applicant must submit all required application information.
- Applicant must be a citizen of the United States and plan to attend an academic institution located within the United States of America.
- Applicant must be a resident of the state of Louisiana.
- Applicants may reapply; however, persons who have received this award may reapply and may be granted the award for a maximum of 4 years.
- Additional requirements:
– Applicant is attending a minimum two year course of study that will result in at least an associates degree.
– Applicant is attending a certificate or a degree granting course of study in welding.
Welder Training Scholarship
For students seeking welder training in a certificate program less than two years in length through a trade school, community college, or other facility providing welder training.
Applications are accepted January-November and selections are made on a rolling basis until the District awards the designated funds for the year.