Trade School Scholarships

Students in western Pennsylvania, primarily the Greater Pittsburgh area, who are pursuing two- or four-year college, trade school, or graduate programs can use one GrantInterface portal to apply. Individual donor funds carry different criteria for geography, field of study, financial need, and school affiliation. Awards typically range from $500 to $30,000 depending on the matched fund. The 2026-27 cycle is closed; applications reopen in January 2027 for the 2027-28 academic year. The Pittsburgh Foundation administers roughly 375 donor scholarship funds awarding nearly $3 million annually and also partners with Scholarship America for additional opportunities.

Students with strong academics, meaningful community service, and financial need who plan to attend an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school may apply for the Chick-fil-A Community Scholars program. At least thirteen recipients receive $25,000 scholarships annually for tuition, fees, books, and other education-related expenses. Recipients also participate in a one-year leadership and mentoring program. Submit a completed application with transcript, detailed answers about your achievements and service, and a recommender's recommendation before the deadline.

Chick-fil-A restaurant team members across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico who are enrolled or planning enrollment at an accredited post-secondary institution may apply. Leadership, service, and academic commitment factor into selection. Award tiers include $1,000, $2,500, and a $25,000 True Inspiration Scholarship; applicants not selected for the top tier are considered for lower amounts, and each team member may receive only one award per cycle. Scholarships are paid in advance and may be used at any accredited institution. Apply by October 21.

Legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C., or dependent children of active-duty U.S. military members, ages 16 to 26 who are enrolled in or plan to enroll in an accredited post-secondary program (two-year, four-year, vocational, or trade) in good academic standing may apply. The Live Más Scholarship offers individual awards from $5,000 up to $25,000 across more than 1,500 recipients. No GPA or test-score minimum is required. Submit either a 250 to 500 word essay or a 30-second to two-minute video explaining your passion, the impact you hope to make, and how you embody Live Más. The Taco Bell Foundation has supported education and career readiness for youth since 1992.

Colorado students, primarily in the Denver metro and Front Range, can apply once through the TDF Scholarship Manager universal application to be considered for up to 25 donor funds in a single cycle. Named awards in the universal pool include Alma M. Poe, Columbine Memorial, McLoraine Opportunity, and others with varying amounts and criteria. The 2026-27 universal cycle ran December 15, 2025 through February 27, 2026. Additional scholarships outside the universal application have separate timelines. The Denver Foundation administers more than 80 scholarship funds awarding over $12 million annually.

Students and, for some funds, licensed professionals in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nails, and massage therapy may apply for 20+ named scholarships through the Beauty Changes Lives Submittable portal. Proof of enrollment or licensure is required. Individual seasonal awards range from about $1,500 to $20,000 depending on the sponsor (Wella, OPI, amika, Dermalogica, Miller Family Foundation, and others). Applications run in four seasonal windows: Spring (March 1-April 30), Summer (June 1-July 31), Fall (September 1-October 31), and Winter (December 1-January 31). The Summer 2026 window is open as of July 14, 2026. Beauty Changes Lives is a nonprofit backed by major beauty brands to fund cosmetology and wellness trade education.

Louisiana students can create one profile on the Baton Rouge Area Foundation automated scholarship portal and apply to all currently open donor funds for which they qualify. Awards range from one-time $500 grants to four-year packages worth up to $20,000. Individual funds have distinct deadlines, often December through March or June. The portal surfaces only open scholarships at the time of application. BRAF administers statewide donor scholarship funds supporting post-secondary education.

Oklahoma students apply once through OCCF's two-part Universal Application on GrantInterface and are matched to 200+ donor scholarship funds statewide. Eligibility varies by fund but generally covers Oklahoma high school seniors and current college, graduate, and career/technical students. Individual awards commonly range from about $2,000 to $20,000 and are paid to the student's college. Part 1 collects background, academics, and financial aid data; Part 2 prompts supplemental questions for matched funds. The portal opens each October 1 with a major deadline of February 15. OCCF awards roughly $2.5 million in scholarships annually.

Texas residents in Aransas, Bee, Goliad, Karnes, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, or Victoria counties who attended high school or were homeschooled in those counties and demonstrate challenging family circumstances, financial need, and academic success may apply. College or university awards reach up to $16,000. Trade or technical school awards reach up to $10,000. Applicants must attend accredited Texas institutions. The Dennis Henneke Foundation honors Dennis Henneke's spirit of mentoring and helping others pursue education despite hardship.

Women who provide primary financial support for themselves and dependents, demonstrate financial need, and are enrolled in or accepted to a vocational, high-school-equivalency, or undergraduate program may apply. Past recipients of this award or similar Soroptimist awards, graduate students, and Soroptimist members or employees are not eligible. Awards progress through club, region, and international levels for a potential total up to $16,000. Club-level recipients receive an average of $1,000; region-level awards are $3,000 or $5,000; the international award is $10,000. Complete the online application with original essay responses written without AI tools, plus documentation of financial need and enrollment.