By Marty Baker, Editor

For many students, the fall season marks a time to get back to school and open the books.  It is also a time for high school seniors to begin looking at their post-graduate training options.  Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (HIWT) suggests taking a few minutes to look at http://www.welding.org and consider a future in welding.  In just nine months or less, you could be entering the workforce with considerable earning power. 

We realize, however, that your options may also be limited at this time by financial restraints on your budget.  That is why the administration at HIWT has been working to increase the number of scholarships for which you may apply.  Individuals may apply for only one scholarship in a twelve-month period.  I will outline them for you here:

• Robert C. Bercaw Memorial Scholarship.  Each year, one scholarship in the amount of $7,950, equivalent to the tuition for the five-month Structural Welding Program, is awarded to a candidate who is graduating or has graduated within the past seven years.  The application deadline for this scholarship is April 1 and the scholarship winner will be named by May 1. 

• Howard B. Cary Memorial Scholarship.  Each year, one scholarship in the amount of $7,950, equivalent to the tuition for the five-month Structural Welding Program, is awarded to a candidate who is graduating or has graduated within the past seven years.  The application deadline for this scholarship is August 1 and the scholarship winner will be named by September 1. 

• Raymond C. Dunlavy Memorial Scholarship.  Each year, one scholarship in the amount of $7,950, equivalent to the tuition for the five-month Structural Welding Program, is awarded to a candidate who is graduating or has graduated within the past seven years.  The application deadline for this scholarship is December 1 and the scholarship winner will be named by January 2. 

Winners of the above scholarships may choose to enroll in the Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program, and would then apply the scholarship grant along with personal funds or loans to the tuition for that nine-month program.

Five scholarships to attend Hobart Institute of Welding Technology are awarded each year by The Troy Foundation.  http://www.welding.org/ScholarshipProg.pdf.  The application deadline for all of these scholarships is 4:00 p.m. on April 1.  Some of these scholarships have further restrictions on their applications. 

• David Via Memorial Scholarship.  Each year, one scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for tuition only is awarded to a graduate of any Miami, Darke, Shelby, Preble, or Clark County, Ohio high school.

• Hobart Brothers Company Scholarships.  Two scholarships each year, for tuition only, in the amount of $4000 are presented to a graduate of a Miami County, Ohio, high school or the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School in Piqua, Ohio.   

• Peter C. Hobart Scholarships.  These present a unique opportunity!  Two scholarships each year in the amount of $1,000 for tuition only are awarded.  One of these is awarded to an International student and one to an artist in the field of metal sculpture.  If there should not be a qualified applicant for one of the two purposes stated, then the entire available amount may be used to fund scholarships in one of the defined areas. 

•  William B. and Marcia H. Howell Scholarship.  This scholarship is open to any U.S. citizen within seven years of high school graduation.  An award in the amount of $750 may be used for tuition only.

•  HIWT Alumni Scholarship.  A $300 scholarship toward tuition only is awarded.  Applications are open to anyone who applies.  This scholarship was established by former HIWT student, Doug Longenecker of Michigan and contributions may be made to this scholarship fund by any HIWT graduate.   

By going to the web site mentioned above, or more specifically http://www.welding.org/downloads.html you will find links to the applications.  Students are urged to apply and utilize this available funding.   If you do not have computer access to the forms, please contact the Hobart Institute at 1-800-332-9448, ext. 5215 or 937-332-5215 for an application to be mailed to you.  This is free money!  Take advantage of it!

In addition to scholarships, funding may be available through any one of the various loan programs such as the Federal Family Educational Loan Program or the TERI Loan Program.   The HIWT programs are also accepted for funding for military veterans by the G.I. Bill.