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 sfaulk@arkansasewa.com.
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 AWS Foundation awards more than $1.5 million in scholarships each year. Scholarships are for currently enrolled or soon to enroll students in a welding program. Applicants should create a profile in the AWS scholarship portal, enter the application information, and the portal will determine which scholarships an applicant is eligible for.
Some scholarships require that applicants be an AWS member and others give preference in awarding to AWS members. Students can join for $15 annually at https://www.aws.org/membership/student.
If asked for a referral on the application, use Josh Waymack, AEWA Vice President.
AWS Member Number: 667555
Email Address: jwaymack@arkansasewa.com
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)
Priority deadlines are January 15, July 1, and July 15
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
Application window is November 1 to January 14
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.
Arkansas Elite
Arkansas Elite’s mission is to provide ELITE, rigorous, and revolutionary training. We offer: