Scholarships

Scholarships

The American Welding Society Foundation awards over $2 million annually for education and training in welding and related fields!

Students in the Northwest Ohio 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 $3,000 – $5,000+.

District Scholarships
A minimum of $15,000 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

O.E. Meyer Co. – Rodney S. Belden Scholarship

Beginning in 1918, O.E. Meyer Co. was founded by Omar E. Meyer Sr. when he joined his brother to open a fabrication shop. In 1919, the company became an Air Reduction distributor to broaden their horizon.  The second generation of Meyers joined the company in the early 1930s when Omar’s two sons, Omar Meyer Jr. and August “Gus” Meyer joined the company. In 1948, O.E. Meyer Co. sold their fabrication business and focused entirely on selling gases and welding supplies. After more than 50 years with his father’s company, Omar Meyer Jr. decided in 1988 that he was ready to retire. He could have sold the business to a competitor or any number of potential suitors but at the urging of Rod Belden, he decided to sell the company to his employees.

On January 1, 1989, O.E. Meyer & Sons became O.E. Meyer Co., a 100 percent employee-owned company. Omar Meyer Jr. became chairman of the board and the day-to-day control of the company was given to newly appointed President Rodney Belden, a 21-year employee of the company. Belden held this position until 2015, when he retired. During his tenure, Rodney Belden oversaw tremendous progress at O.E. Meyer Co. Since going from family-owned to employee-owned, the company has exploded from a growth standpoint. The number of employee-owners is now 160, working at eight locations throughout the State of Ohio. Rodney always believed that empowering employees would lead to outstanding customer service and growth… and he is right.

Eligibility
The Rod Belden – O. E. Meyer Co. Welder Workforce Scholarship will be awarded to provide funding to students attending school in Ohio or Michigan, and pursuing a certificate or degree in welding.

The deadline to apply is March 1st.

Detroit Ellicott/Arc Welding – District 11 Scholarship

Detroit Roth/Resistance Welding – District 11 Scholarship

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. Each District has a minimum of 25 – $1,000 scholarships to award.

Applications are accepted January-November and selections are made on a rolling basis until the District awards the designated funds for the year.

Apply for AWS Foundation Scholarships at scholarship.aws.org.