AIST Foundation Trade School Scholarship Program

This scholarship program supports students pursuing two-year degrees or certificates at accredited trade schools or community colleges who are preparing for careers in the iron and steel industry. Awards are paired with a required work-based learning placement at a  steel-producing or steel-related company.

The deadline to apply for the 2026–2027 academic year is 30 June 2026.

▶Application

Scholarship Award

  • Trade School and Community College Scholarship
    A paid internship, apprenticeship, or work-based learning placement at a U.S. steel-producing company or a steel supplier followed by a one-year scholarship of US$2,600.
    Up to 10 one-year awards will be granted annually.

Work-Based Learning Requirement

  • Awardees must commit to completing a paid, FAME USA–affiliated internship, apprenticeship, or work-based learning placement (“placement”) with a steel-producing company or steel industry supplier.
  • Internship locations and host employers will be determined in coordination with FAME USA, participating employers, and AIST, based on program availability, student qualifications, and geographic considerations.
  • Awardees must be willing and able to relocate or commute, if required, to participate in the assigned FAME USA placement.
  • Placements must be directly related to steel manufacturing or steel industry operations. Positions outside of steel-related fields are not eligible.
  • A satisfactory performance evaluation from the FAME USA employer partner is required to remain eligible for scholarship funding.
  • An awardee may be disqualified if they decline or withdraw from an accepted FAME USA placement without approval from AIST.
  • Any request for an alternative placement outside of the FAME USA program must receive prior written approval from AIST and must meet all steel-industry relevance requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be pursuing a two-year associate degree, diploma, or certificate at an accredited trade school or community college in the United States of America.
  • Be enrolled at least half-time, as defined by their institution, during the academic term in which the scholarship is awarded.
  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be willing and able to commute or relocate for the duration of the summer internship, if required.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent.
  • Receive a satisfactory performance evaluation from the work-based learning employer to retain scholarship eligibility.

Eligible Fields of Study

Students should be enrolled in programs aligned with careers in the iron and steel industry, including but not limited to:

  • Skilled trades such as welding, electrical, mechanical maintenance, machining, or industrial maintenance
  • Manufacturing technology or industrial technology
  • Mechatronics or automation
  • Operations engineering
  • Safety or industrial safety
  • Electrical or mechanical engineering technology
  • Process technology or metallurgy-related programs

Application Expectations

The application, essay, and recommendation materials should clearly demonstrate:

  • A strong interest in pursuing a career in the iron and steel industry
  • Relevant technical skills, hands-on experience, or career goals aligned with steel manufacturing or steel-related fields

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following documents in PDF format. Recognizing that many applicants may be current high school students or currently enrolled in their first year of technical training, materials will be reviewed in the context of the applicant’s educational stage and available experience.

Résumé or Experience Summary

 A résumé is preferred, but applicants with limited work history may submit an experience summary outlining:

  1. Coursework or technical classes
  2. School-based labs or hands-on training
  3. Certifications or credentials in progress
  4. Part-time work, job shadowing, apprenticeships, or co-op experiences
  5. Extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or leadership roles

Essay (maximum two pages) describing:

    • Career goals and interest in a skilled trades or technical career
    • Interest in the iron and steel industry
    • How the applicant’s skills, training or interests align with steel manufacturing or steel-related work

Letters of recommendation:

    • A minimum of one letter is required; up to five letters may be submitted.
    • Letters may be written by teachers, instructors, counselors, employers, coaches, or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s work ethic, character, or technical interests.
    • Letters from trade school or community college instructors, industry employers, or steel-related organizations will receive additional consideration when applicable.

Academic Records

    • Current high school students may submit a high school transcript or official documentation of academic standing
    • Trade school or community college students may submit an official or unofficial transcript or equivalent academic record.
    • Documents must include the applicant’s name and institution.

All application materials must be submitted in English.

Application Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be scored using the following weighted criteria:

  • Interest in the Steel Industry – 20%
  • Academic Performance – 30%
  • Letters of Recommendation – 30%
  • Work Experience, Technical Skills, and Extracurricular Activities – 20%