What Scholarships are Available for Woodworking School?
Paying for woodworking school can feel overwhelming, but there are many scholarships, grants, and financial support options that can help make it achievable.
What is the difference between a scholarship, a grant, and a private loan?
To start with, a scholarship is free money. It is a gift awarded to people to meet certain criteria, and it is usually competitive. You do not have to pay it back. But the timing of the scholarship is important. You may not get it until you start school, or you may need to pay first, and then submit receipts to be reimbursed.
A grant is similar, but it might come with additional requirements like reporting on your success, or only being able to buy certain things with the money. For example, some grants may only cover tuition but not housing.
A private loan is money you have to pay back, with interest, but typically you can spend the money on anything you want. An interest-free loan would be when someone like a family member lends you money, and you have to pay it back, but you do not have to pay any interest on the loan.
What about student loans?
SBWI does not accept traditional student loans like Sallie Mae. Students here fund their education by:
Paying out-of-pocket, either in full or on our payment plan.
Qualifying for a private loan, like from a credit union, that will have to be paid back with interest.
Veterans Readiness financial awards.
Scholarship and grants, of which there are many, and we’ve detailed some ideas for you here.
To start with, consider all the categories of funding you may be eligible for:
Industry and Craft-Focused Scholarships — Awards connected to woodworking, skilled trades, or related industries.
Community and Local Scholarships — Awards from regional organizations and community groups where you are from.
General Trade Scholarships — Broader awards for students pursuing vocational or technical careers.
Grants and Special Programs — Support that may cover training or job readiness.
Underrepresented Scholarships— Scholarships and awards that align to your identity, whether that be age, gender, race or cultural background, status as a current or former foster youth, the list goes on. Don’t be afraid to think big about what type of funds you may be eligible for.
Industry Scholarships
Wood and Furniture Industry Scholarships
These awards are tied to woodworking, wood technology, furniture design, or the broader wood products industry:
Wood Industry Association (WIA) Scholarship – For students studying woodworking, wood technology, or related fields; applications accepted annually from September through January.
Bring Back the Trades Scholarship – Monthly $1,000 awards to students in skilled trades programs nationwide.
Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Scholarship – Up to $3,500 for students pursuing careers that lead to manufacturing and trade careers.
Architectural Woodwork Institute Educational Foundation Scholarships – Covers tuition and materials for woodworking or related programs (nomination required).
Craft and Craftsmanship Support
These opportunities focus on craft skills or support specific groups:
Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship – Open to students in approved programs who complete application requirements, including essays and references.
Chairmaker’s Toolbox – The Living Tools Program – Supports historically excluded craftspeople and provides community-focused resources.
Society of American Period Furniture Makers Grants – Educational grants for study, research, or conference attendance related to period furniture making.
Local and Community Scholarships
These awards may be especially useful for students living in specific regions or involved in local programs:
Lenawee County Education Foundation (LCEF) Scholarships – Financial support for students and families in Lenawee County. If you aren’t from Lenawee, check out your local community foundation.
Ronald Reeves Job Readiness Training Grant – Covers up to 90% of training for eligible residents to secure post-secondary skill training.
American 1 Credit Union Continued Education Scholarship – $1,000 awards (closed for 2025 but offered annually) for students planning to attend a degree or trade school.
American 1 Credit Union Board of Directors Grant – $2,500 grant with potential renewal for up to four years (closed for 2025 but offered annually).
Lake Trust Foundation Scholarships – Michigan scholarships for trade and college students; includes New Beginnings Scholarships up to $7,500.
General Trade and Related Scholarships
These awards aren’t woodworking-specific but apply to students pursuing careers in skilled trades or technical programs:
DeWalt Trades Scholarship – $5,000 awards for students in high-demand skilled trades education programs; eligible locations: United States and Canada.
National Association of Women in Construction Scholarships – Construction-related scholarships, $500–$2,500 range.
American Postal Workers Union Vocational Scholarships – Up to $3,000 for specialized vocational training programs.
Opportunities for Underrepresented Woodworkers
Some awards have unique eligibility or application requirements:
Louis “Lumber Lou” Chicquette Memorial Scholarship – $5,000 award for candidates with work or military experience in wood-related fields. Please see our detailed application instructions on our scholarship page.
Mid-West Tool Collectors Association General Scholarships – Six annual $1,500 awards for woodworking or technical program students (application via mail).
Scholarship Strategies for Success
Apply to multiple awards to increase your chances.
Tailor essays and application responses to reflect your goals in woodworking and craftsmanship.
Reach out early to recommenders and support organizations for better letters of reference.
Other Ways to Finance Your Training
Scholarships are a great way to offset costs, but they don’t cover everything for every student. SBWI also offers payment plans to help manage tuition amounts over time. (Link to your payment plan blog here)
Need Help?
Contact the SBWI Financial Aid Office for personalized guidance on scholarship applications, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
If you are ready, apply to our Wood Design program to prepare for a career in the trades. If you’re just looking to explore woodworking, taking a short course is a great way to get to know us.
If you have any questions, reach out to our Vice President of Enrollment who can walk you through all the above, and more.