Scholarship Eligibility & Application Guidelines
trades + Tech scholarships
The Trades + Technical Education Foundation scholarship program provides financial assistance to adult learners and graduating high school seniors who are pursuing careers in the skilled trades and technical fields. Awards are granted to help fund the cost of classes, training, and certification. We focus on programs leading to credentials for well-paying jobs in high-demand areas: automotive and building trades, healthcare, technology, and more.
Opportunity Scholarships
For adult learners and graduating high school seniors entering the trades
Trades + Tech Adult Opportunity Scholarships - Up to 75% of the cost of a class or program
These scholarships are based on applicants' intention to continue in the trades, on need, and on recommendations from those who know their work. Applications for funds for online-only classes/programs are NOT accepted.
Trades + Tech also offers the following memorial scholarships for graduating high school seniors entering the trades:
Leslie Hughes Walton Memorial Scholarship - $2,000
The award is based on grades, what the student intends to do with their education, and financial need.
Lance Van de Castle Scholarship - $1,000
This recipient must be a Building Trades or Electricity student in a high school or apprenticeship program who is pursuing post-secondary or additional training in that particular trade area. In Mr. Van de Castle’s memory, the student needs to have a “clear desire to do what is right and accept nothing but the best.”
Justin Tilghman Culinary Scholarship - $1,000
The Justin Tilghman Culinary Scholarship is established in memory of our son, brother, friend, and lover of the culinary arts, Justin Tilghman. As a former graduate of the Culinary Program at CATEC, Justin continued his passion for cooking in multiple established restaurants in Charlottesville and the surrounding area. Constantly reading and learning to better his skill and technique in the kitchen, Justin displayed all the traits of a true chef throughout. It is with this scholarship we hope to instill the same passion for cooking and hospitality that Justin strived for throughout his career and his brief time in this world. Thank you for remembering Justin and helping our students.
The application form for memorial scholarships will be available from October 1 to November 15, 2026.
Apply FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
Applications Currently open
The application window is October 1 - November 15, 2026, for Adult Opportunity Scholarships for winter/spring programs beginning January 2027.
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Other Programs Offering Financial Assistance in the Area:
There is a broad range of technical and trade educational scholarship opportunities available from other community resources. Check out these resources for more information.
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Click here for a guide to free tuition to PVCC for qualifying students – available for all Virginia Community Colleges.
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For people looking to get a job, advance their career, and earn higher wages with benefits to support themselves and their families, FastForward is the quickest, most affordable training program in Virginia. They help you navigate finding financial assistance to help offset some of the FastForward tuition training costs.
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The Chef William-Allen Peterson Culinary Arts Foundation plans to establish perpetual annual memorial scholarships, in Chef Will’s hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, and his culinary career city of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The foundation aims to partner with local high schools, Vocational-Technical Education Centers (VOTEC) regional community colleges and universities to provide financial aid scholarships for stand-out culinary arts students of multi-cultural backgrounds from socio-economically disadvantaged circumstances.