The following is a listing of financial aid opportunities available to AEWA students. This is not an exhaustive list. Inquire about what is available in your local community. In addition, for Arkansas programs listed, there could be similar program in other states. All of these are potential funding sources that could be explored. 

Please note that Arkansas Elite Welding Academy is NOT approved to accept Title IV funding including federal student loans or Pell Grants. This is funding you would qualify for by completing a FAFSA Form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

MILITARY EDUCATION BENEFITS

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) offers education benefits to eligible Service members, Veterans and their dependents who wish to further their education and advance their career. Understanding the variety of education benefits available will help you determine the appropriate VA benefit based on your eligibility and goals. [The Building Your Future with the GI Bill® Part Two: A Guide to Understanding Your Benefits…provides[s] details on supplemental programs and offer[s] a way to compare your options…This guide encompasses information on additional grants, scholarships state benefits and student loans, to give you a wholistic view of resources available at your fingertips. (“GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).)

The Building Your Future with the GI Bill® Part Two: A Guide to Understanding Your Benefits

Arkansas Elite is approved to accept military education benefits from those who qualify.

Visit https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ to apply for benefits. For additional information visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/. You can also call 888-442-4551 if you have questions about applying for your benefits. This Customer Service Line is for Veterans to call to ask questions about benefit eligibility and individual payments. Representatives are available between 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Central Standard Time, Monday – Friday. Veterans can also schedule a call back from a customer service representative. 

The Arkansas Elite School Certifying Official is Sancy Faulk. She can be reached at [email protected].

ARKANSAS RURAL ENDOWMENT FUND (AREF)

The Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund (AREF) offers loans to qualifying Arkansas residents pursuing training at a trade school. The AREF has provided these loans for over 60 years with competitive interest rates to students who qualify. This option is available ONLY for Arkansas residents. AREF provides funding for student loans for students who attend colleges or proprietary schools which usually do not participate in the federal student loan programs. These loans will be set at a competitive interest rate and will require a co-maker. The co-maker must be currently employed. Complete the online application, and call AREF at 800.232.5505 to pay your non-refundable $20 application fee. This must be done before your loan application will be processed. 

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

American Welding Society (AWS) Scholarships

Applications accepted year-round

The application for all scholarships opens December 1 annually. The deadline for National, District, and Section scholarships is March 1. The deadline for the Welder Training Scholarship is November 30.
 
Since 1993, the AWS Foundation has awarded over 12,000 scholarships, totaling more than $15 million. Receiving an AWS Scholarship enables welding students to focus on their education and training while turning their passion for welding into a rewarding career. Some scholarships require that applicants be an AWS member and others give preference in awarding to AWS members. Learn more at https://www.aws.org/Career-Resources/Students/Scholarships/.
 
AWS now offers FREE student memberships. Join at https://www.aws.org/membership/.

Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC)

Applications accepted year-round

One ARKANSAS-HDC program is the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). The goal of NJFP is to assist farmers and their families in attaining great economic stability by helping them to acquire new job skills in occupations that offer higher wages and a more stable employment outlook. Eligibility requirements: US citizen or legally authorized to work in the US; employed in an agricultural job recognized by the US Dept. of Labor within the last 24-month period; earned less than the poverty guidelines; registered with the selective service (if applicable); dependent or spouse of a farmworker that meets the above requirements. For more details visit the above website or call 1.800.482.7641.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF)

Fall, Spring, and Summer deadlines each year

ASPSF provides financial assistance and support to single parents pursuing skilled trade certifications.

Mike Rowe Works Foundation

Each year, the Mike Rowe Works Foundation recognizes people willing to work smart and hard. In 2021 the foundation awarded over $1 million to approximately 138 recipients. 

National FFA Scholarship Program

Applications typically open in November and close in January.

The National FFA Scholarship Program supports FFA high school seniors and collegiate members as well as non-FFA members. Just one application is required for multiple scholarship opportunities totaling close to $2 million.

Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs Scholarships

Fall and Spring deadlines each year

Since 1990, Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs has awarded scholarships to students majoring in programs that lead to careers in manufacturing (welding is on their list of approved fields of study). Scholarships are awarded in the spring and fall of each year.

SkillPointe Foundation

Applications accepted on a rolling basis and awarded each month

The SkillPointe Foundation is a non-profit organization working at the intersection of students for whom traditional, 4-year college is not the best fit, the skilled worker shortage in America, and the nation’s high unemployment rate. SkillPointe aims to provide funds for students pursuing training in skilled professions, award bi-weekly scholarships to new skill, up skill, and re skill youth and adults, and more.

Bring Back the Trades Scholarship

$1,500 Scholarshiphs are awarded monthly.

Bring Back the Trades Inc. awards monthly scholarships during the school calendar year to students from across the United States who are attending post-secondary education in the skilled trades.

Arkansas Elite

Arkansas Elite’s mission is to provide ELITE, rigorous, and revolutionary training. We offer: 

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A 10:1 student-to-instructor ratio

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Instructors with 150+ years’ combined experience

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Elite Individualized Training (E.I.T.)

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A bonus curriculum for the truly elite students

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Lifetime job placement assistance for qualified graduates

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A 96.8% job placement rate for 2020 graduates

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Lifetime brush-up benefits for qualified graduates