A Student’s Guide to HVAC Scholarships

Job growth for HVAC industries is projected to be 21 percent ¹ by 2022, making HVAC careers a potentially lucrative option for prospective students. However, obtaining specialized training can be expensive. Fortunately, there are various scholarships for HVAC students to explore. Here is a short list of great funding options for your HVAC education from different companies, as well as RSI.

Nexstar Legacy Foundation

The Nexstar Legacy Foundation is a private organization that is dedicated to getting more talented people to discover the power of HVAC and plumbing careers. Nexstar is a great resource for HVAC industry information, and it also provides funds for qualifying candidates in HVAC programs. The foundation provides approximately 20 scholarships to students annually, including the Technical School Scholarship and the Troops to Trades program that gives up to $5,000 in aid to qualifying veterans. There are also smaller scholarships of $500 available for working technicians.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers

This organization is also known as ASHRAE for short. One function of ASHRAE is to provide financial aid for HVAC students. Applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA or must fall in the top 30 percent of their class. Furthermore, applicants must attend a school approved by ASHRAE and have full-time status.

Here are a few scholarships from ASHRAE:

• Willis H. Carrier Scholarship – $10,000/yr
• Reuben Trane Scholarship – $5,000/yr over two years
• Frank M. Coda – $5,000/yr
• Lynn G. Bellenger – $5,000/yr
• ASHRAE Memorial – $5,000/yr
• Alwin B. Newton – $3,000/yr
• Duane Hanson – $3,000/yr

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors is a national association educational program known as the PHCC. The organization provides funding to those studying HVAC and plumbing. Over $25,000 is awarded every year in scholarships to students in HVAC and plumbing programs at a trade school. Sponsors of the educational fund include Bradford White Corp., State Water Heaters, RIDGID Tool Co., Delta Faucent Co. and other businesses. Scholarship applications and materials are due on May 1.

Women in HVACR

This organization offers two vocational career scholarships worth $1,000 each to female high school seniors who are interested in pursuing an HVAC career. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. The application also includes a 500-word essay, and the due date is June 1. Winners are announced at the end of June of the same year.

Thermaxx Jackets

Thermaxx Jackets is a limited liability company located in West Haven, Conn., that offers HVAC students a one-time scholarship of $1,000. The Thermaxx Jackets Scholarship is a way for the company to have an impact on the future of HVAC industries by making education more attainable for students.

Here are the scholarship requirements:

• enrollment in an undergraduate engineering program (or be pre-engineering) or enrollment in a trade school
• a minimum GPA of 2.5
• be a full-time student
• U.S. residency
• submit a 250-word essay

Refrigeration School, Inc.

RSI offers a Holiday Scholarship that awards up to $2,500 to need-based students who begin an HVAC program in December. Additionally, RSI and PlumberStock have partnered to provide a $3,000 Video Scholarship Contest for talented students. RSI also has a Tribal Scholarship that awards $2,000 to Native American, Native Hawaiian or Native Alaskan students enrolled in an HVAC program. There is also a $4,500 scholarship for Amity Native American students. Other scholarships are available for military personnel, high school seniors, GED students and other need-based students.

Eligibility Criteria

• enrollment at RSI
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• independent status on FAFSA
• application to all other aid: state, agency or federal
• financial need demonstrated

This is only a short list of scholarships available for HVAC students. Contact us to find out more about our programs and financial aid. We also offer flexibility by not requiring state residency for aid.