Announcing the Skilled Trade Education Program (S.T.E.P) Scholarship Fund! 🛠️
August 18, 2023 / News & Updates
Teens! There is more than one path to success. College is an excellent path, but there are other options that are just as rewarding. There is a whole world of skilled trades out there just waiting for talented and motivated people like you!
Electricians, construction workers, plumbers, and AC technicians are in high demand right now. So there are plenty of jobs, and the pay is impressive. Plus, these careers often come with benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. So, not only can you make a good living today, but you can also have some financial security for the future.
If you’re not feeling the college vibe or just don’t think it’s the right path for you, that’s totally okay. Pursuing a career in skilled trades can be just as rewarding. You get to work with your hands, build something from scratch, and see the tangible results of your hard work. It’s a great feeling, and you don’t need a degree to do it.
That’s where the “Skilled Trade Education Program” comes in. The Bloss family has established this scholarship to help underserved teens who are interested in skilled trades as a career. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, books, and tools, so you can focus on learning and building your skills without worrying about the financial burden.
The scholarship funds will be granted twice a year – one in the summer and one in the fall. The first year will focus on the areas of Automotive, Electrical, and Apartment Maintenance, but AZYouthforce will also consider other trades based on cost and financial aid resources. So, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in skilled trades, this could be the perfect scholarship for you!
Why is the Establishment of a Skilled Trades Scholarship Program Important to the Bloss Family?
“The neighborhood my wife and I grew up in consisted mainly of factory workers, mom and pop small businesses, etc; the typical blue-collar environment. Both of our fathers lost their jobs when the Studebaker Auto plant closed it’s doors in the mid 60’s. This not only devastated our families but the entire community as well.
Not having any technical skills to fall back on, they both took jobs that paid the bills, but not much more. They were the fortunate ones.
We decided to establish this AZYouthforce Skilled Trades Scholarship fund because we believe that having a skilled trade capability is vital for a person’s long term financial stability, especially for those teens that don’t see themselves succeeding in a 4 year college degree environment. With a background in a sought-after trade, a young person has the opportunity for a meaningful future, full of promise, success and personal accomplishment that will last a lifetime.”
-The Bloss Family
What is the Criteria?
- HS Seniors or graduating within the application year
- High School Diploma or GED
- Complete an AZYF internship
- Apply for FAFSA (if available at the chosen institution)
- Male or Female
- Financial need statement
- Unofficial transcripts GPA 2.0
- One letter recommendation
- Applicants will use Pell Grant first then
scholarship funds - Scholarship amount $3000 up to $5000
depending on FAFSA
What is the Process?
- Interested applicants must submit application, which includes financial need statement and letter of recommendation.
- AZYF team along with other staff members will review application and recommend the candidate to receive scholarship
- AZYF staff member will remain in touch with student during the training to provide support
