On average, the tuition cost for an in-state college in Minnesota was $16,822 for the 2021-2022 academic year. Needless to say, tuition costs add up – but so do scholarships.
Here’s the good news: A degree or certificate in manufacturing offers ample scholarship opportunities, because there’s a workforce shortage – meaning we need more people to join the manufacturing field!
There’s no better way to start a career than with little to no student debt, which is why a career in manufacturing is one worth looking into. (Not to mention, the pay is great once you graduate and many employers offer tuition reimbursement if you work and go to school at the same time).
Below is a list of scholarships that can help you in your journey to lightening your tuition and jumpstarting your career. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list; if you hear of additional scholarships, please contact us so we can add to it!
Each year, the Education Foundation offers scholarships to help motivated students with an interest in manufacturing get the training they need to become successful in the field.
This year, the Education Foundation will award scholarships of up to $2,000 per student.
Applications are typically due by April 15th of each year.
Through this foundation, approximately 100 scholarships/year of $2,000 will be offered to eligible traditional and non-traditional students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend a public post-secondary school in MN or WI due to challenging life circumstances and financial constraints.
For more than 40 years, the SME Education Foundation has supported the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. According to its website, the Foundation “provides merit and need-based scholarships, issues renewing and one-time awards, and seeks applications from all eligible students, including but not limited to young women and underrepresented communities.”
Awards range from $2,500 – $20,000.
The AWS Foundation offers more than 130 scholarships totaling more than $600,000 for students seeking degrees in welding or a related discipline. Scholarships range from $3,000 to $6,000+.
They offer national, district-based, international scholarships, and more – be sure to check their website and see which ones you’re eligible for.
According to its website, The Mike Rowe Works Foundation is on a mission to close the skills gap by challenging the stigmas and stereotypes that discourage people from pursuing the millions of available jobs.
Each year, they give away scholarships through the Work Ethic Scholarship Program to help people get trained for skilled jobs that are in demand (and manufacturing is a big one)!
Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs provides scholarships twice each year to students pursuing degrees that will lead to manufacturing careers.
The Minnesota Legislature has provided funding for hundreds of $2,500 “Workforce Develpement” scholarships at the 26 community and technical colleges of Minnesota State, and one of the fields they’re awarding scholarships to is in manufacturing. Each of these colleges also offer their own private and public scholarships. Check out your college – or prospective college – to see if you’re eligible to apply for any of them. (Source: MinnState.edu).
Dakota County Technical College
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
North Hennepin Community College
Northland Community and Technical College
Pine Technical and Community College
Rochester Community and Technical College
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
We’re always looking to promote private and public scholarships that can help Minnesota’s manufacturing students graduate with less student debt. If you’re aware of scholarships we haven’t listed, send us an email at communications@mpma.com!