Affordable Tuition. Comfortable Housing.

All You Need to Start Your Welding Career.

Explore flexible financing options, scholarship opportunities, and trusted housing

solutions designed to support you every step of the way from enrollment to graduation.

TUITION ASSISTANCE

Tuition Assistance & Housing Information

American Welding Academy is a new private institution and not a part of the Federal (Nationally Accredited) Program which means we cannot accept Pell Grants and/or FAFSA school loans at this time. American Welding Academy does accept scholarships and grants. Enrolling students may also use personal loans backed with co-signing guardians and/or collateral to secure funds for tuition.

New Student Loan Option Available Now

Lumion has partnered with 18 lenders to offer competitive rates with one easy application tailored to the individual and immediate results. Just click the link below to complete the application.

awaweld.joinlumion.com/apply

VA BENEFITS

American Welding Academy is now proudly accepting Veterans Benefits. If you or your parents have served in the military, you may be eligible to receive funding to pay for tuition and housing. Follow the link below for more information to see if you qualify. Please call American Welding Academy with any questions or concerns.

How To Apply For The GI Bill | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/2019/07/20/gi-bill-benefits-guide/

LOCAL BANKS

First Community Credit Union: (636) 728-3333

Equity loans and traditional personal loans with variable terms based on qualifications

Washington Location: (inside Walmart) 1701 A Roy Drive. Washington, MO 63090

Eureka Location: 131 Eureka Towne Center Drive. Eureka, MO 63025

Chesterfield Location (main office): 17151 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63005

United Bank of Union

"We'll Take You Further"

Address: 1440 Rebel Rd, Union MO 63084

Call: (636) 583-2555, Extension 9015 or 9007, speak with Christina Anderson or Marie Wright for more information.

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

FAST TRACK WORKFORCE INCENTIVE GRANT

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a program designed to provide adults with the education and skills needed to enter the workforce in fields that are in high demand. Students must be enrolled in a designated program of study at a participating Missouri school. Apprentices must be participating in an apprenticeship in Missouri that is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and that prepares them for employment in a high demand field as designed by the department.

You must create an account in MDHEWD’s Student Portal to access the application. Information about the Student Portal is available

Go To Portal (CLICK HERE)

Eligibility:
To be eligible, you must:

  • Be either:

    • At least 25 years old, or

    • If you are a student, have not enrolled in an educational program (high school or postsecondary) in the last two years, or

    • If you are an apprentice, have not been enrolled in a postsecondary program in the last two years, unless the program relates to your current apprenticeship.

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

  • Be a Missouri resident, an active-duty member of the U.S. military transferred to Missouri, or the spouse of an active-duty military member.

    • If you are a student who is a Missouri resident, you must have been a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.

    • Apprentices need to be a Missouri resident, but do not need to be a resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.

  • Have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), if applicable. check with your provider to see if a FAFSA® is required to determine your Fast Track award.

  • Have a federal adjusted gross income as documented on your most recent Missouri 1040 Individual Income Tax Return (or federal 1040 form if you're active-duty military) of either:

    • $80,000 or less if your tax filing status is married filing jointly, or

    • $40,000 or less for any other tax filing status.

  • For students, enroll in an eligible program at least half-time.

  • For apprentices, be formally participating in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved and DHEWD designated apprenticeship and meeting any requirements defined by your apprenticeship provider.

  • Have not yet received a bachelor's degree.

To Apply:

  • Login to the State Financial Aid Portal.

  • Select the Estimate Eligibility link in the menu at the top of the page.

  • Select the appropriate academic year from the "Select an academic year" dropdown menu.

  • Click the Apply link in the Fast Track Workforce Incentive grant row of the table.

You must upload a copy of your most recent Missouri 1040 Individual Income Tax Return to complete your application. Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue (https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/individual/) for questions regarding your Missouri 1040 Individual Income Tax Return.

Elks Club, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce

(CHECK LOCAL TO YOU) Check in with these local clubs to see if they have any local scholarships you could potentially apply for!

A+ SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

American Welding Academy will provide each “A+ Program” student a $1,000 scholarship for tuition. You must provide AWA with a signed and sealed A+ transcript. Upon request, your High Schools will mail them out to our school. (This will only be acknowldeged one year from your High School graduation date).

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

American Welding Academy does accept scholarships and grants. Potential students are encouraged to investigate and apply for any scholarships and grants available that the student may be eligible for as this is a very useful tool in securing funding for program tuition. The following scholarships are specifically geared for vocational training. This is not a comprehensive list of all scholarship/grant opportunities available as there are thousands more not described below, it is highly recommended to investigate your local scholarship opportunities available.

Each scholarship & grant have different requirements and timing to apply. Please check each one to verify eligibility.


David Browning Memorial Scholarship 
American Welding Academy's staff & students lost one of our own on September 13th 2023. For someone taken too soon, David accomplished so much. He was very ambitious at work as a welder and we feel as an appreciation and acknowledgment to David we would like to bring light to his memory by creating this scholarship.

If you are interested in applying for the David Browning Memorial Scholarship, please follow this link and follow all the necessary steps in doing so.

Applications MUST be mailed to (American Welding Academy. Attn: Adam Holt. 3 Progress Parkway. Union, MO 63084)

American Welding Society (AWS) Scholarships 

Register, save information, and once you receive a verification email, log into account and continue to follow the process.
https://scholarship.aws.org/applications/  

Associated General Contractors of American Scholarship

AGC of Missouri Education Foundation Scholarship Program


Tammy Stratman Brown Charities Vocational and Trade School Scholarship

Tammy Stratman Brown Charities awards scholarships based on the Passion of the recipient for their desired field. Not all Passions require a college degree. This scholarship is for those whose desire to create, construct or beautify does not lead them to a college degree, but to technical and vocational training or certification programs.
Tammy Stratman Brown Charities Vocational and Trade School Scholarship - Scholarship Central (academicworks.com)

National FFA Scholarships

https://www.ffa.org/participate/scholarships

Mike Rowe Works Scholarship

profoundlydisconnected.com

MISSOURI FARM BUREAU

Foundation for Agriculture Vocational Scholarship
https://mofb.org/scholarships-and-grants

Financial Resources and Discounts for Students with Disabilities

Guide to various financial resources, discounts and savings opportunities, and travel tips for students with disabilities.

https://couponfollow.com/research/financial-resources-for-students-with-disabilities

Pureland Supply Skilled Trades Scholarship

The $1000.00 Pureland Supply Scholarship is available to students who have been accepted to an accredited trade school, vocational college, technical school, or community college for the study of trade, craft, or labor occupations.
Pureland Supply $500 Skilled Trade and Vocational Scholarship Fall 2020

National Youth Safety Essay Scholarship Contest

Students are encouraged to create a written or video essay describing how the OSHA 10-Hour training has made an impact in the way they recognize hazards and how it will be a benefit to their future. CareerSafe will select up to four (4) students to be awarded a $500 scholarship each quarter.
National Youth Safety Essay Scholarship Contest | CareerSafe (careersafeonline.com)

The Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarship Program

This program is designed to remove a portion of the financial burden for a woman associated with higher education, one of many barriers that could prohibit women from pursuing a career in the trades.

https://www.TheJessiCombsFoundation.com/scholarship

Bring Back the Trades Scholarship

Bring Back the Trades Inc. awards monthly scholarships during the school calendar year to students from across the United States who are attending post-secondary education in the skilled trades. Monthly scholarships of $1,500 are awarded each month and sent directly to the secondary school the award recipient is attending.

https://bringbackthetrades.org

BARRIERS TO LEARNING & DISABILITIES

WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA)

WIOA training is for occupations that are in-demand and are directly linked to employment opportunities in the local area. Register at: www.jobs.mo.gov

Map of Counties Served:

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/VR-OfficeMap.pdf

List of Office and Contact:

https://dese.mo.gov/adult-learning-rehabilitation-servicdes/vocational-rehabilitation/vr-offices

Brochure:

https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/VR-Q&AWebStevens.pdf


WIOA training is for occupations that are in-demand and are directly linked to employment opportunities in the local area.  Register at www.jobs.mo.gov   

MISSOURI RESIDENT: Please call the Missouri Job Center. MO WIOA assistance in your area.

ILLINOIS RESIDENT: Please call the Illinois Job Center. IL WIOA operations coordinator in your area.

MISSOURI VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

VR specializes in employment and training services that can assist you in becoming employed. A VR counselor will determine your eligibility for services. To be eligible, you need to have a physical or mental impairment that causes problems with working and need VR services to be successfully employed.

https://dese.mo.gov/adult-learning-rehabilitation-services/vocational-rehabilitation

HOUSING INFORMATION

STUDENT HOUSING
Student housing is available through multiple resources. There are a multitude of different options when it comes to housing. The realtors listed below all provide different options for housing- some may be strictly apartments (one or two bedroom), condos & or houses. Housing prices range anywhere from $600 - $800 per month per person depending on location and occupancy. Please contact the realtors below to secure your spot for housing before it fills up. You can call AWA anytime at 636-800-9353 with any questions or concerns. We would be glad to help!

SPECIAL REQUESTS: If you are interested in housing alone or with a friend, please make sure you tell the realtor you are working with. Housing alone or with a friend is not guaranteed, housing is filled by what's available. 


Realtor Contacts Listed Below

AWA Housing (NEW On-Site) Kim Kopp: (636) 800-9353

Shannon Holt: (636) 221-1864

Joey Knoll: (636) 346-3065

Brianna Huellinghoff: (636) 303-8494

Pin Oak RV Park: (636) 329-6154

Birch Creek RV Park: (636) 249-5300

Amenities May Include:

Furnished

Washer & Dryer

Full Size Kitchen

Internet/ WIFI