Top 18 Automotive Scholarships For Students to Apply in 2024

If you are looking for Automotive Scholarships to make your dreams come true of having a great career in the automotive industry, you are at the right place. We bring here the Top 18 Automotive Scholarships that can help you fulfill your aspirations of studying automotive technology. 

The purpose of the Automotive Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students studying automotive technology, engineering, design, or related fields. Automotive manufacturers, trade associations, and educational institutions offer these scholarships.

Let’s look at the best Automotive Scholarships that pave the way for students to enter the automotive field by covering their tuition, books, and other educational expenses. If you want to fully cover your education expenses with a scholarship, consider exploring full ride scholarships.

Key Takeaways

• There are many scholarships available to help you pay for college if you want to work in the car industry.
• These scholarships can pay for tuition, books, and other fees.
• Some scholarships are only for women or people who live in a certain state.
• To win a scholarship, you usually need to have good grades and write an essay about why you want to work in the car industry.
• You should also apply to more than one scholarship to increase your chances of winning.

18 Best Automotive Scholarships

1. DEWALT Trades Scholarship

DEWALT Trades Scholarship is open to full-time students enrolled in two-year colleges or technical schools pursuing a degree in trades, such as automotive, diesel technology, and other related areas of technology. This Automotive Scholarship aims to support individuals in construction, carpentry, plumbing, and other fields.

2. Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship

The Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship is a program that provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry. These scholarships are generally offered by various organizations, associations, and companies in the automotive aftermarket sector. 

These automotive engineering scholarships aim to support students who are studying fields, such as automotive technology, engineering, marketing, or business related to the automotive industry. Automotive Aftermarket offers several automotive scholarships in collaboration with more than 40 organizations, each worth up to $5,000. 

In 2021, they awarded 427 scholarships out of 881 applications, indicating that more than half of the applicants were successful. At the same time, success rates vary from year to year, in 2019, 37% of applicants received at least one scholarship, which is a favorable result compared to many other scholarship opportunities.

3. Donald and Barbara Mozley Scholarship

The Donald and Barbara Moseley Scholarship is a scholarship program named in honor of Donald and Barbara Mozley, who were amateur radio and education enthusiasts. 

The SAE International organization is offering this scholarship, which provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher education in fields related to electronics, communications, or a related STEM discipline. SAE aims to award seven scholarships worth $5,000 annually. 

Recipients of this scholarship are selected based on their academic achievements, participation in amateur radio activities, and other factors.

4. SEMA Scholarships

SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) offers various scholarships to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry. These scholarships support automotive technology, business, engineering, and other fields.  

SEMA is committed to supporting individuals pursuing careers in the automotive field. They achieve this goal through both loan forgiveness programs and their scholarship initiative. SEMA awarded scholarships to over 110 students in the past year. These scholarships are available to anyone wishing to enter the automotive industry.

To apply for this Automotive Scholarship, visit the official website of SEMA and check their scholarship programs for eligibility and application details. Keep in mind that specific scholarships may have different requirements and deadlines.

5. Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation Scholarships

The Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF) offers scholarships to support women pursuing careers in the automotive industry. The aim of these scholarships is to empower and encourage women in the field. If you are a woman who plans to work in the automotive industry after graduating from a recognized college, this automotive scholarship could be a perfect resource for you. 

Although the scholarship only supports direct automotive programs, it has also been given to students studying computer science, mechanical engineering, etc. But, to be eligible for the scholarship, all students must plan to apply their learning to a career in the automotive industry.

6. Elks National Foundation Scholarships Programs

The Elks National Foundation (ENF) offers several scholarship programs to assist students pursuing higher education, like automotive technology. These scholarship programs are designed to support a variety of educational goals and backgrounds. 

Elks National Foundation Scholarship Program is available for the citizens of the United States. For scholarships, you will have to go through the application process following the guidelines of the scholarship provider. This foundation offers 500 four-year scholarships.

7. BMW/SAE Engineering Scholarship

The BMW/SAE Engineering Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship program that supports students pursuing engineering degrees. It is usually awarded by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in collaboration with BMW. The scholarship aims to encourage and assist students in their engineering studies, especially those interested in automotive engineering or related fields.  

This Engineering Scholarship, supported by BMW and the Society of Automotive Engineers, is open to incoming college freshmen who have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and score in at least the 90th percentile on both the SAT reading and maths sections.  

To get the scholarship, eligible students must be pursuing an engineering program accredited by ABET. This scholarship is awarded once a year and can be renewed up to three times.

8. Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium Scholarship

The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium Scholarship is an award program that provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket industry. It generally offers scholarships to students who are studying automotive technology, business, marketing, engineering, or related fields. 

The scholarship program offers various monetary awards. To apply for this Automotive Scholarship, you must typically meet specific eligibility criteria and submit an application, which will include transcripts and possibly letters of recommendation.

9. Andrew Piech Memorial Scholarship

This is another top Automotive Scholarship for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the automotive field. Andrew Piech Memorial Scholarship is open to New Mexico residents pursuing a certificate/degree in automotive or technical vocational fields at a non-profit two-/four-year college, university, or community college. 

For-profit institutions are not eligible for the scholarship. Both full-time and part-time students can apply for this scholarship. A maximum of two applicants receive the Andrew Piech Memorial Scholarship annually.

10. Garage Gurus Scholarship

The Garage Gurus scholarship’s primary aim is to alleviate the shortage of automotive technicians and bridge the skills gap within the automotive industry. Since 2015, they have consistently awarded an average of 12 scholarships annually towards achieving this objective.

The scholarships are available to both high school graduates and adults aspiring to pursue a career in the automotive field, with a specific focus on those intending to study and train as automotive technicians.

11. Palo Alto Rotary Club Vocational Scholarships

Palo Alto Rotary Club offers vocational scholarships to assist individuals seeking vocational education and training. These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to their chosen career and a desire to make a positive contribution to their community. 

The scholarships serve as a representative instance of the kinds of scholarships available from community organizations nationwide. These scholarships are specifically intended for students intending to pursue vocational education, such as automotive technology. Annually, the Palo Alto Rotary Club grants ten scholarships, with amounts varying from $500 to $2,000.

To apply for these Automotive Scholarships, you must contact the Palo Alto Rotary Club directly or visit their website for application details and deadlines.

12. Brandon Repola Memorial Scholarship

The Brandon Re­pola Memorial Scholarship honors a young man with big dreams. Brandon loved making vide­os, working with computers, and learning about cars. He wante­d a career in these­ cool fields. This scholarship helps Arizona students who also love­ these things.

Students who want to apply must write­ about what they want to study. They should share the­ir goals and explain why they are inte­rested in videography, marke­ting, computers, or cars. The winner will ge­t $9,700 to help pay for college.

To apply, you must live­ in Arizona and be an undergraduate stude­nt. You should be really intere­sted in at least one of the­se areas: videography, digital marke­ting, computers, or automotive technology. The­ deadline is August 1, 2024. The winne­r will be announced on Septe­mber 1, 2024.

13. Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

The­ Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship honors Anthony McPhe­rson, who loved cars. He died in a drunk driving crash. The scholarship raises awarene­ss about drunk driving dangers.

The $1,000 scholarship helps high school or colle­ge students who want jobs in the car industry. To apply, stude­nts make something creative­ about drunk driving risks. The deadline is Nove­mber 8th, 2024. The winner ge­ts announced on Decembe­r 8th, 2024.

14. Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship

The Walking in Authority Inte­rnational Ministry is giving a special scholarship. This scholarship is for $550 and one student will ge­t it. If you want to apply, you must be a high school senior or a college­ student. 

You also need to have­ a good grade point average of 2.5 or highe­r. Another thing you need is e­xperience he­lping out in your community as a volunteer. The last day to apply for this scholarship is Nove­mber 8, 2024. So make sure to ge­t your application in before then.

15. Hamiltonville Farm Scholarship

Hamiltonville Farm Scholarship helps stude­nts who want to fix cars and trucks. Two stude­nts can get $2,580 each, which adds up to $5,160.

To get this mone­y, you must be a high school senior or already le­arning about fixing cars and trucks. The last day to apply is May 31, 2024. The winners will be­ announced on June 30, 2024. 

To apply, write about why you love­ working on cars and trucks. Also, explain how you want to help people­ with your skills and how the scholarship will help you reach your goals.

16. Joe Ford Trade Scholarship

Joe Ford Trade Scholarship honors, Joseph Ford. The scholarship is for $2,000 and is awarded annually. To be eligible, students must be interested in a building, industrial, or mechanical trade and be a high school senior or enrolled in a trade school. 

Applicants must submit a written application answering five questions about their career goals and experiences. Winning applications will demonstrate ambition and a passion for working with their hands. The application deadline is May 26, 2024.

17. Rogers Family Award for Grit

Rogers Family Award for Grit is a $2,500 scholarship awarded to one student pursuing automotive technology, automotive repair, or heavy machinery repair. The scholarship is for undergraduate or trade school students.  

To apply, students must write an essay about why they chose their field of study and their goals for the future. The application deadline is June 13, 2024.

18. Tim Williams Automotive Student Scholarship

Greg Williams started a $1,000 Tim Williams Automotive Student Scholarship for students in need. It is named after Tim Williams, who was excellent at fixing cars. Tim also liked teaching others about cars. 

The­ scholarship is for students who want to become auto me­chanics. To apply, you must be in high school, college, grad school, or trade­ school. You must also be studying to work on cars. 

You need to write­ an essay explaining why you are applying. Te­ll why you want to be a mechanic. Also share how you hope­ to make things better in the­ future. The deadline­ to apply was April 15, 2024. The winners will be announce­d on May 15, 2024.

Importance of Automotive Scholarships

Automotive Scholarships play a vital role in nurturing talent, promoting diversity, and advancing the automotive sector. These Scholarships are important for several reasons. Some of them include:

• Financial Aid: They provide financial aid to students pursuing automotive-related fields, reducing the burden of educational expenses.
• Incentives: Scholarships motivate students to excel academically and pursue a career in the automotive industry, addressing the shortage of skilled labor.
• Innovation: They promote innovation by supporting research and development in automotive technology, which leads to progress in the industry.
• Diversity: Scholarships can encourage diversity by making automotive education more accessible to underrepresented groups and fostering a more inclusive industry.
• Quality Education: They enable students to receive quality education and training, thereby ensuring a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in the automotive sector.
• Industry Growth: Supporting aspiring automotive professionals helps ensure the growth and stability of the automotive industry.

5 Tips for You to Win Automotive Scholarships

Winning Automotive Scholarships can be competitive, but with dedication and a strategic approach, you can increase your chances of receiving a scholarship. Here are five effective tips that can help you: 

• Research Scholarships: Start by researching automotive scholarships offered by various organizations, schools, and companies. Look beyond the obvious sources and explore specific scholarships related to your specific area of interest, such as automotive engineering, design, or mechanics.
• Meet the Eligibility Requirements: Make sure that you meet all the eligibility criteria for the scholarship you apply for. This includes academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any specific requirements, such as dissertations or projects. Personalize your job applications to showcase your skills and qualifications..
• Impressive Essay: Create a compelling and personalized scholarship essay. Share your passion for the automotive industry, your career goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them. Make your essay unique by showcasing your unique experiences.
• Strong Letters of Recommendation: Request letters of recommendation from your teachers, mentors, or employers that can attest to your skills, work ethic, and dedication to the automotive field. Make sure these letters reflect your passion and potential.
• Get ready for the interview: Certain scholarships might involve an interview process.  So, practice answering common interview questions and be prepared to confidently discuss your automotive knowledge, accomplishments, and aspirations.

Additionally, stay organized by keeping an eye on deadlines and application requirements. Also, consider applying for multiple scholarships to maximize your chances of success. Good luck!

FAQs

Conclusion

Automotive Scholarships play a vital role in shaping the future of the automotive industry by supporting aspiring students who have a passion for cars and mechanics. These scholarships provide not only financial aid but also education and training opportunities in that field that continues to evolve with advancements in technology.

As we’ve explored the various Automotive Scholarships, it’s clear that there are options available for students at different stages of their educational journey, from high school graduates to those pursuing advanced degrees. To maximize your chances of obtaining these scholarships, remember to research and apply early.