Scholarships
The American Welding Society Foundation awards over $2 million annually for education and training in welding and related fields!
Students in the Central Arkansas 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
Danielle Rivera Memorial-District 17 Scholarship
Established in memory of Danielle Rivera, graduate of TSTC-Waco Welding Program. This scholarship will be awarded to a woman planning to attend a welding program with an emphasis on the hands-on practice of welding and metals joining.
John W. Bailey Memorial Scholarship
John W. Bailey, President of Prospect Steel, a division of Lexicon, Inc., forever will be remembered as a very smart, articulate man who loved the steel industry and gave back to it. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1975, John continued his educational endeavors at the university and completed his master’s degree in structural engineering in 1977. He quickly began working his way up the ranks of various companies. He had a true passion for the structural industry, and his determination and abilities served him well. In 1986, John joined Havens Steel Company, where he was the chief operating officer responsible for all operations of the company. At Havens, John continued to refine and strengthen his leadership skills both in the company and in the industry. In 2000, he accepted the opportunity to become president of Prospect Steel in Little Rock, Arkansas. Under his leadership, Prospect Steel became one of the top fabricators in the nation.
John generously gave his time to better our industry. He served in many capacities, but most prominently with his service as president of the Central Fabricators Association from 2003 to 2005 and his service on the Board of Directors of the Central Fabricators Association from 1993 to 2014 and the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Steel Construction from 2006 to 2019. John’s many accomplishments were ultimately recognized by the University of Tennessee Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2000 when it honored him with the Outstanding Alumnus Award and in 2017 when it named him to its hall of fame.
He always looked at the big picture and used his knowledge and experience of structural systems to resolve problems and further his customer’s and the industry’s interests. Along the way, he created many lifelong friendships and will be missed by many throughout the world. It is such an honor to see the legacy of John W. Bailey remembered through the students who receives John W. Bailey memorial scholarship in the future.
Applicant must be a current AWS Member.
Deadline to apply: May 1st
Thomas B. Schueck Memorial Scholarship
The American Welding Society, Central Arkansas Section is honored to partner with Lexicon Fabricators and Constructors to unveil the Thomas B. Schueck Memorial Scholarship Fund for qualified students across the state who are interested in pursuing a career in welding.
The late Thomas B. Schueck founded Lexicon Fabricators and Constructors in Little Rock in 1968. With passion, hard work and determination, he transformed the family-owned and operated business into one of the nation’s leading providers of construction management, fabrication, erection, mechanical installation and plant management services. He is remembered as an icon of the Arkansas business community, a titan of the U.S. steel industry and, above all, a generous man who was committed to serving others and making the state a better place to live.
Thanks to Tom’s strong leadership, Lexicon is now one of Arkansas’s largest privately-held companies, with more than 1,500 employees across five divisions: Lexicon Industrial Constructors, Prospect Steel, Custom Metals, Heritage Links and Lexicon Energy Services. It’s team continues to “Define Excellence” by spearheading iconic projects across the U.S., including AT&T Stadium, formerly Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington; Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, NASA Stennis, A3 Test Stand in Mississippi, and NUCOR Corporation plants, among many others.
Applicant must be a current AWS Member.
Deadline to apply: May 1st
WELSCO Stephen E. Harrison Memorial Scholarship
Sponsored by WELSCO to honor Mr. Stephen E. Harrison, 3rd generation owner of WELSCO, this scholarship is for a full-time student with a 2.8 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in welding courses at a Vo-Tech school. The student must be pursuing a degree in welding. Financial need is not required but priority will be given to those students who exhibit a financial need. Applicant must attend the Vo-Tech school in Arkansas, be a US citizen, and priority will be given to students who have lived in Arkansas for more than one year. The scholarship award is $1,750 paid directly to the school for tuition and books.
Deadline to apply: May 1st
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.