Applications for Adult Opportunity Scholarships are now open! Deadline is July 15. Learn more and apply below.

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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

Adult Opportunity Scholarship awards provide funding for in-person classes and programs that help individuals in the Piedmont region of Virginia access the information and training to become skilled workers. Applications for online classes are currently NOT accepted.

Guidelines

Deadline: July 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.

  • Applicants of Trades + Tech Education Adult Opportunity Scholarship must:

    • Be age 16+

    • Be as resident in the Piedmont region of Virginia, including Charlottesville City, and Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties.

    • Be pursuing a degree or certification in a trade- or technical-related program at a vocational or accredited two-year school.

    • Applications for funds for online-only classes are not eligible for funding.

    • Scholarships provide support for fall classes and programs beginning August 2026.

    Applicants may be contacted by a Trades + Tech Education Foundation representative regarding their application.

  • Applications are evaluated based on program selection, statement of goals and interest in a career in the trades, and personal recommendations.

  • Scholarship awards provide up to 75% of the cost of the class/program and are paid directly to the school or training program. Funding is available only for in-person and hybrid classes.

  • Notification of scholarship winners will be sent by email in August, approximately 4 weeks after the application deadline.

Questions? Email us at info@tradesandtech.org.

Apply FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Applications are OPEN

The scholarship program is open! Submit your application for an Adult Opportunity Scholarship through the link below.

Apply

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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.

  • Click here for a guide to free tuition to PVCC for qualifying students – available for all Virginia Community Colleges.

  • 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.

  • 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.