Studying HVAC - It is hard work, but it pays off.
HVAC is a growing field with job opportunities expected to expand by 21 percent by 2022. Why this growth? Many businesses and home residences have heating and air conditioning systems and these do break down or become in need of repair. Some even need replacing. With that in mind, students who want to enter the HVAC field can find schools across the nation providing HVAC training, but everyone know that education is not cheap. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 20 great HVAC scholarships. Some award amounts range from $500 to $1,000 dollars while others do not disclose the awarded amount online. Typically, there are some requirements to meet eligibility, which can include writing a short essay. Our list of 20 great HVAC scholarships includes ones available from charitable foundations, HVAC companies, community colleges and businesses. Keep in mind that this field is growing and that our list is only a small representation of what is available given more research and investigati
The Bruce A. Emig Memorial Scholarship is available to students attending Penn State's Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa. Students must reside within specific counties in Pennsylvania, have successfully completed a minimum of 24 credits at the college and be enrolled as a non-traditional student (one enrolling four or more years following high school graduation) to be eligible.
Nexstar Legacy Foundation
Every year, the Nexstar Legacy Foundation provides up to 20 scholarships to students who plan to pursue technical training to become an installer or service provider. Known as the Technical School Scholarship, some $150,000 has been provided to students through funding since 2006. "Mini Scholarships" are also available in the amount of $500 maximum to technicians already working in the HVAC, plumbing or electrical field and want to pursue more training.
The Rees Scholarship Foundation has scholarships available to students enrolled in an HVACR program accredited through the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or a school requiring the Industry Competency Exam (ICE). Students must submit two letters of recommendations, an essay and educational transcripts for eligibility.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides up to $10,000 in scholarships to qualified students each year. Available scholarships include those from regional chapters of ASHRAE as well as school specific scholarships and high school senior scholarships. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an ASHRAE-recognized engineering or engineering technology program and meet other requirements.
Hilmor features a scholarship program called "Retool Your Future," providing up to $10,000 in monies to three current or future HVACR students. The online essay contest was available in 2013, but details for 2014 have not yet been announced. (2013 details were announced in June 2013). Past recipients received scholarship money, travel to the AHR Expo 2013 and a Hilmor starter kit.
The Bel-Aire HVACR Technology Annual Scholarship is available to full-time students in the HVACR Technology program at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. Preference is given to students who demonstrate a financial need, but GPA is not a factor. Many other HVACR scholarship opportunities are also available to students attending the HVACR program at Ferris State.
The Robert and Mary Tincher HVAC Scholarship is available to first-year students enrolled in the HVAC programs at Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College in Bowling Green, Ken. Selected recipients receive $2,500 to apply to the costs of one term and can re-apply each semester, but must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the HVAC program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Students completing a diploma in HVAC at Redstone College in Broomfield, Colo., may be eligible for a $2,500 HVAC/Avionics/A&P/ WIND Scholarship while those completing an associate degree in HVAC could be eligible for a $5,000 scholarship. Students should be high school seniors, write a letter of an intent, have one recommendation and put together a 250-word essay.
The New York Propane Gas Association has three $3,000 scholarships available to students pursuing a HVAC program at Alfred State College in Alfred, N.Y. Students should apply for the John Ganey Memorial Scholarship, and can find many additional scholarships available in amounts from $1,500 to $3,000 at other New York area colleges.
The national association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractorsmakes funding available to students who want to pursue training in heating, cooling or plumbing. In 2014, up to 25 scholarships worth $61,500 total are available to students enrolled in apprentice programs, trade schools, community colleges or four-year programs. Funding comes through the PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund, PHCC of Massachusetts, PHCC of Texas Auxiliaries and several additional entities.
The Mike Varnell HVAC scholarship is available to students enrolled in the HVAC program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Jackson. The scholarship, in memory of an HVAC instructor at the school, provides a $500 trimester scholarship to selected applicants who have already completed one trimester in the program. The scholarship is renewable for up to three semesters.
The Thermaxx Jackets Scholarship is available through Thermaxx, LLC to trade school students pursuing a program in HVACR or undergraduate students working on a degree in pre-engineering or engineering. A 2.5 GPA is required and the scholarship award is a one-time amount of $1,000. Students must submit a 250-word essay to be eligible.
Vanderford Air in Dickinson, Texas offers a $500 HVAC scholarship to students based on the quality of their submitted scholarship essays. Applicants must have one letter of recommendation, a GPA of 3.0 and need to respond to five essay questions in 250 to 400 words each.
PlumbersStock.com provides $3,000 in scholarship money to be split among three individuals studying in fields such as HVAC, plumbing or sprinklers and irrigation. Scholarships applicants must submit a 'how-to' video guide for home improvement that demonstrates their skills. The winner of the top video will receive a $2,000 scholarship and two runners-up will receive $500.
The James Douglas Magnus HVAC Scholarship is awarded to a student in the HVAC program at Lanier Technical College in Oakwood, Ga. Up to $1,000 annually will be made available to assist students in the program. A letter of recommendation and financial need are part of the scholarship criteria. Attendance record and GPA will also be taken into consideration.
Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C., offers a Central Carolina Air Conditioning Scholarship (as well as two other scholarships) to students enrolled in the school's HVAC program. The Central Carolina Air Conditioning Scholarship requires students to have a minimum 2.75 GPA, write a 300- to 500-word essay and be able to demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students who are 21 years or older.
Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, Pa. offers the Carney HVAC Scholarship, which awards two $500 scholarships annually to students pursuing an associate of applied science degree in HVAC technology at the school. The scholarship is available through Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Line Lexington, Pa., and interested students should go to the company's website to apply.
The Grainger Technical Scholarship can assist students working on an associate degree at Austin Community College in Texas. Students pursuing a field of study in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technology or automotive technology, building construction or welding may be eligible. Students receive up to $2,500 toward tuition, book, fees and tools and must already have completed at least 12 credits of coursework.
The Troops to Trades program is offered through Nexstar and provides scholarships for those going into management in HVAC and other fields. Students can receive up to $7,000 depending on the scholarship, and must be enrolled in school full-time.
Females interested in an HVACR career can look to the Women in HVACR (WHVACR) organization for scholarship assistance. Two $1,000 scholarships are available in 2014 to female high school seniors planning to enter the HVACR field. A 500-word essay and minimum 2.0 GPA are needed for qualification.
