Sheet Metal Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Sheet Metal Workers' International Scholarship Foundation

Introduction

Promoting education across the unionized segments of the sheet metal trades is essential to ensure members’ participation in a growing global economy. To further this goal, the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Scholarship Fund provides 34 scholarships of $6,000 per year*, renewable for up to four years for full-time undergraduate study at any accredited college or university. In addition, up to two awards may be reserved for students (or eligible dependents) pursuing undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering or Architecture. These Mechanical Engineering and Architecture scholarships may be held for up to five years and pay $6,000 in year one and $12,000 each year in years two through five, for a total value of $54,000.

Separately, the Scholarship Foundation grants twenty one-year scholarships of $4,000 each, plus two one-year $5,000 awards: the Joseph J. Nigro Award and the Joey Nigro, Jr. Memorial Award. *Please note: only applicants from locals that collectively bargain to either contribute or authorize check-offs at one cent per hour worked are eligible for the four-year Fund scholarships. Applicants from other eligible locals will be considered for the Foundation’s single-year undergraduate scholarships.

An independent selection committee made up of union, academic and civic leaders — separate from the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers — reviews applicants’ academic records, recommendations and the submitted essay to determine awards. Annual recipients are announced in the fall issue of The Members’ Journal.

Eligibility

- Applicants must be one of the following: an active member of SMART’s former SMWIA, a covered employee, or a dependent spouse or child (under age 25) of a SMART/SMWIA member or covered employee.
- The award is available only to undergraduate students (no graduate study). The applicant must be a full-time student or have been accepted for full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university.
- Dependents must be under age 25, unmarried and listed as a dependent on the eligible member’s federal income tax return. Grandchildren are not eligible.
- Definitions for member, dependent, spouse and full-time status are provided on the application; please review those definitions carefully before completing the application.

How to Apply

1. Request an Application Form
- Application Request Forms are available from the Scholarship Programs Office beginning September 1 through February 15. You may download the form for printing, complete it online and return it by email, or find it printed in the fall issue of The Members’ Journal. If submitting by email, ensure you have an up-to-date version of Adobe and save the document appropriately before sending.
- After the Scholarship Programs Office reviews your Application Request Form, it will mail the correct application packet (Fund or Foundation) to the address you provide.

2. Complete the Application Packet
When you receive the application, complete it fully and include the following:
- Detailed information about the active SMART/SMWIA member and the scholarship applicant, including International Association membership number, the number of the local union of membership, and, if different, the local union under whose jurisdiction the member was employed during the previous calendar year.
- An official transcript showing the applicant’s unweighted grade point average. High school seniors must enclose an official high school transcript in a sealed envelope from the high school administration or guidance office. Applicants currently enrolled in college must submit an official college transcript instead of high school records.
- One letter of recommendation enclosed with the application.
- A one- to two-page essay addressing the topic provided in the instruction packet included with the paper application.

Important: Carefully follow all application instructions. Applications missing required signatures or any other elements will be disqualified and will not be acknowledged.

Deadlines

- Requests for Application Forms must be received by February 15. Requests arriving after that date will not be considered or acknowledged.
- Completed applications and supporting materials must be postmarked by March 1. Materials postmarked after March 1 will not be considered or acknowledged.

Matching Grants

Some colleges and universities cooperate with the Sheet Metal Workers’ Scholarship Programs Office by offering matching or supportive grants to Fund scholarship recipients. If you are admitted to a participating institution and receive a Fund award, you may be eligible for additional institutional aid. A current list of participating schools will be sent with application materials.

Where to Return the Completed Application

After you receive the six-page application, print, sign and return the fully completed packet to:

Sheet Metal Workers’ Scholarship Programs
1750 New York Avenue, NW, 6th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006-5386

Questions may be directed to the Scholarship Programs Office by phone at (202) 662-0858, by email at scholarship@smart-union.org, or by fax at (202) 662-0859.