In a world of AI, ballooning student debt, and uncertainty about the college project, it’s no surprise that 6 in 10 young people have expressed that they plan to pursue jobs in the trades. If young people don’t attend college, they’ll still need to undergo some form of workforce or trade-based training in order to gain marketable skills.
Minnesota doesn’t yet have dedicated high public schools that specialize in trade preparation, but many high schools around the state have vocational pathway programming for students.
Even if students haven’t experienced the trades in high school, there are many opportunities for trade education within Minnesota’s State College system. Minnesota State College admission only requires a high school degree or equivalent.
Pell Grants or Workplace Pell Grants often completely or partially cover the price of tuition at these institutions, where the yearly cost rarely exceeds $8,000. Plus, state or private grants can cover significant portions of tuition expenses for students pursuing the trades.
Some aspiring tradesmen or tradeswoman may still need (or appreciate) a scholarship or program that helps them step into the workforce. Below is an alphabetized list of trade and industry scholarships in Minnesota.
Aim High Flight Academy (AHFA) Scholarship
The Aim High Flight Academy (AHFA) is an aviation scholarship for summer flight training for high school students between 16 and 18 years of age.
The American Industries Scholarship
The American Industries Scholarship provides workforce-enriching opportunities for current and former foster youth enrolling in trade schools or apprentice programs. The eligibility requirements and the digital application can be found on the Foster Love website.
Association of Women Contractors (AWC) Scholarships
The Association of Women Contractors (AWC) supports three different scholarship types available for female students in construction.
Bernick Trades Scholarship
The Bernick Trades Scholarship supports high school seniors from select parts of Greater Minnesota with partial scholarships to two-year degree programs pursuing technical careers. Applications close in March.
Building Industry Association (BIA) Foundation of the Red River Valley (RRV) High School or College Scholarships
These scholarships are open to any local high school or college student interested in pursuing a career or currently pursuing a career in the trades at Minnesota State Community and Technical College or North Dakota State College of Science. High school applications open in January, college applications open in September.
Herdina Construction Trades Camp Scholarship
The Herdina Construction Trrades Camp Scholarship is available to Herdina Construction Trades Camp attendees only. Applications are due in June.
Catch a Trade Scholarship
The Catch a Trade Scholarship Program was established to assist highly motivated Minnesota residents who have faced challenges in life, learned from them, and are now enrolling in postsecondary education. The program covers the cost of tuition at Minnesota State technical college/trade schools. Applications open in mid-March.
Central Minnesota Manufacturing Association (CMMA) Manufacturing Association Academic Scholarship
The Central Minnesota Manufacturing Association (CMMA) Academic Scholarship is for a high school student considering post-secondary education in a manufacturing in Central Minnesota. Applications close in late April.
Funding is available for high school and college collision students to support their educational endeavors and unlock a future in collision repair. Applications open in January.
DeWalt Trades Scholarship Program
Stanley Black and Decker has established the DeWalt Trades Scholarship to assist individuals attending a two-year college or vocational-technical school who are pursuing a trade degree or certificate in an industry aligned with the Stanley Black and Decker Trade Goals–including but not limited to Construction, Industrial, Motor/Power Sector, Mechanics, and Technology. This year’s application timeline has not yet been announced.
Elevate Scholarship
The Elevate Scholarship is an industry-wide initiative to help students gain a remote pilot license (drone license).
The Elevate Award
A scholarship by the Minnesota Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camp to aid aviation professionals at every stage in their careers. Qualifying expenses include tuition and professional development. Application window is September-October.
Horatio Alger Career and Technical Scholarships
The Career and Technical Scholarships are awarded to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States. 2027 application timelines have not yet been announced.
Luther Tech Trac is a program dedicated to supporting a select group of the best and brightest Technical College Students who have shown passion and ambition for a career in the Automotive Technician fields. The program gives tuition support and a guaranteed job after graduation. Applications are rolling.
Mid-Minnesota Builders Association (MMBA) Scholarship
Mid-Minnesota Builder Association (MMBA) provides scholarships to members’ students graduating from high school, regardless of educational direction.
Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association (MAPA) Scholarships
The Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association (MAPA) awards scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in road construction or asphalt industry. Applications are rolling.
Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX) Scholarship
The Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX) has been providing scholarships for students seeking to pursue construction careers since 2003. Applications open in March/April.
Minnesota Construction Association (MCA) Tech/Trade School Scholarships
Minnesota Construction Association (MCA) offers four scholarships at $1,250 each through the generous donations of our members. They support students in pursuing their educational goals in the construction industry. The application period opens after March 1.
Minnesota Heating and Cooling Association (MHCA) Scholarship
The Minnesota Heating and Cooling Association (MHCA) offers scholarships to students pursuing a career in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field. Applications close in April.
Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association (MPMA) Scholarship
The Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association (MPMA) Education Foundation provides scholarships to help motivated students with an interest in manufacturing get the training they need to become successful in the field. Applications open in January.
Minnesota State Centers of Excellence Scholarship Pages
Minnesota State hosts eight Centers of Excellence—each serving a major industry that faces serious workforce challenges. The centers collaborate with industry and educators to attract and prepare students for success in high-demand careers. The Centers have collected scholarships associated with Trade and Industry sectors:
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Workforce Development Scholarships
The Minnesota Legislature has provided funding for hundreds of $2,500 scholarships at the 30 community and technical colleges of Minnesota State in the high-demand fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Health Care Services, Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, and Transportation.
Minnesota Subcontractors Association (MSA), The Builders Group (TBG), and Holmes Murphy Construction Scholarship
To support students and help build the construction workforce, Minnesota Subcontractors Association (MSA) and its partners award various scholarships. 2027 application timelines have not yet been announced.
Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program/STEM4All
The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) STEM Portal is a federal government-sponsored repository of internships, scholarships, and training opportunities.
Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) Scholarship
Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) Scholarships are available to students pursuing a two or four year degree in Graphic Communication related majors. This includes Press Operation, Print Management, Graphic Design, and other degrees involving print. Applications open in November.
Project Build MN Construction Career Scholarships Page
Project Build MN has collected a number of Minnesota’s construction-related associations scholarships onto a single page. The scholarships are for young people seeking careers in the industry.
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Scholarships and Loan Forgiveness
Every year SEMA scholarships helps senior high school students pay for their college tuition and SEMA Members pay off their student loans. Students from all academic and technical disciplines that lead to careers in the automotive industry are welcome to apply. Applications open in January.
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation Scholarship
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation scholarship program awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, engineering or related discipline. Applications open in November.
TechForce Foundation
TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit that champions students to and through their education and into their careers as professional auto technicians. The nonprofit connects students to various scholarship opportunities.
Wallin Education Partners Two-year Scholarship Program
The Wallin Foundation Two-Year Program supports students headed to community college in the Twin Cities. They provide two pathways based on where students choose to attend school and one simple application for both pathways. Applications open in February.
Women in Trucking (WiT) Fall/Spring Scholarships
The Women In Trucking (WiT) Foundation awards scholarships via two cycles annually, to an female who will be attending a training facility for the purpose of advancing their career in the areas of safety, driving, technical, or leadership in the trucking industry is eligible to apply for a scholarship. The application period opens after March 1.
American Experiment has added to the Minnesota Department of Education’s original scholarship list. American Experiment is not affiliated with any organization listed unless otherwise noted. Suggestions for additions are welcome.