school-administered scholarships
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to assist students with quarterly tuition payments. School-administered scholarships are divided equally over the number of quarters in a student’s program, and are applied each quarter toward tuition, beginning with the Fall Quarter. The number of scholarships awarded per year will vary based on funding.
With a single application, students enrolled or who are seeking to enroll at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding can apply for multiple participating scholarships. Scholarship funds are eligible for degree and diploma programs only.
The scholarship application for the 2024-2025 school year is closed. To be notified when applications open for the 2025-2026 school year click the button below.
Participating Scholarship Funds
The Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) is deeply committed to preserving the heritage of classic boating through its educational initiatives, notably the ACBS Scholarship Endowment Fund. This fund provides essential financial support to deserving students enrolled in approved boat building programs across the United States, fostering the development of skills and craftsmanship crucial for the sustainability of classic boats
2024-2025 Fund Total: $5,000
Award Amounts: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Donor: Antique & Classic Boat Society
The Bridge the Gap Scholarship was inspired by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion actions. Scholarships are awarded to help students overcome challenges as they work hard to achieve their career goals.
2024-2025 Fund Total: $50,000
Award Amounts: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Donor: Anonymous
This scholarship fund is aimed at supporting high school seniors and recent graduates in pursuing their educational and professional aspirations in the field of marine trades. Application are open to individuals from Jefferson County and surrounding counties. Applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in marine trades and express a clear intention to look for employment using their new skills after successful completion of the program. In addition to offering financial assistance this scholarship serves as a stepping stone for motivated individuals to embark on a rewarding career within the dynamic and diverse world of marine trades – including securing employment opportunities available locally on the Olympic Peninsula and nearby.
2024-2025 Fund Total: $80,000
Award Amount: Up to $20,000 but varies on financial need.
Number of Awards: 4 minimum
Donor: Anonymous
This scholarship fund is aimed at providing financial support for populations that are under-represented in the boat building and boat repair field. Individuals from Chimacum, Jefferson County and surrounding counties are preferred. Applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in marine trades and express a clear intention to look for employment using their new skills after successful completion of the program.
2024-2025 Fund Total: Varies
Award Amount: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Donor(s): Several anonymous donors
The scholarship fund, named the BCD Scholarship, is a special tribute to Betsy Davis, Catherine Collins, and Jake Beattie, acknowledging their contributions to the marine education industry. These three individuals are incredibly kind, intelligent, and community-focused, and make a positive impact. With their humble demeanor and quiet strength, they effortlessly inspire others to collaborate, grow, and do their best.
2024-2025 Fund Total: $10,000
Award Amount: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Donor: Anonymous
The scholarship commemorates the legacy of Carl Chamberlin, a mainstay around the Port Townsend waterfront who was known for his design skills honed through years of dedicated study and work in the field. Over the years, the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding has brought to life numerous projects conceived by him. Carl’s quiet and composed demeanor belied the depth of his intelligence and talent. The scholarship aims to support individuals who share Carl’s passion for design and craftsmanship.
2024-2025 Fund Total: Varies
Award Amount: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Donor(s): Friends and family of Carl Chamberlin
Inspired by Greg Kaolian, an avid sailor, passionate boat enthusiast and Boat School alum, and supported by fellow classmates from the 1997 NWSWB class, this scholarship aims to assist students dedicated to pursuing a career in the marine trades. Despite facing the challenges of multiple sclerosis, Greg wholeheartedly supports this scholarship initiative.
2024-2025 Fund Total: $25,000
Award Amount: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Donor(s): Brent Davis Construction & NWSWB
In honor of Shorty Garrotte.
2024-2025 Fund Total: $1,200
Award Amount: $1,200
Number of Awards: 1
Donor: Poulsbo Sons of Norway
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding is proud to foster the next generation of skilled craftspeople through its scholarship fund, which relies on the generous contributions from a range of fundraising sources. One of the standout events in this endeavor is the annual Hull Raiser scholarship event, hosted at the Seattle Yacht Club. This event brings together supporters and enthusiasts from the maritime community, providing a unique platform to celebrate and raise funds to support aspiring students.
2024-2025 Fund Total: Varies
Award Amount: Varies
Number of Awards: Varies
Donor: Supporters of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
Scholarship Dates
- Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- The first round of scholarship applications to be reviewed is to be determined for the 2025-2026 school year.
Scholarship Eligibility
- Scholarships are needs based and applicants must have completed a FAFSA application to determine if they qualify for a scholarship.
- Applicants must complete a scholarship application, including answering three essay questions.
- Priority will be given to needs-based applications who plan to enter the maritime trades upon graduation.
Award Details
- To receive an award, you must complete the enrollment process within 30 days of award notification.
- Scholarships will be applied quarterly, beginning the Fall Quarter.
- Scholarships are posted to a student’s account and applied toward their tuition. Scholarships
are not paid directly to the student. - Students must be in good academic standing and attendance standing when the quarterly scholarship payment is made. Students on probation for any reason will forfeit any unpaid scholarship amounts.
- The school reserves the right to reduce the scholarship award, should the student receive
additional tuition scholarship award(s) or tuition funding from an outside agency that exceeds
the cost of tuition for the student’s program.
Instructions to Apply
- Submit a completed online application form. For questions, email [email protected].
- All applications received will be presented to the Scholarship Committee for consideration and, depending on the scholarship, may also be submitted to the funding organization for final decision.
- Scholarship award winners will be notified within 14 business days of committee approval
other scholarship opportunities
These scholarships can help fund your education at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Some are for local Jefferson County, Washington students only and others are for national or international application. If the listing is local (e.g., Jefferson County Rotary) think about an organization in your geographical location that might be similar. Many states have vocational offices that sponsor annual scholarships too — be sure to check out your state vocational agencies. The language below has been taken directly from scholarship providers.
Scholarship America
Scholarship America works directly with students, parents, colleges, businesses and communities to help students fulfill their college dreams. Since it was founded in 1958, Scholarship America has distributed $4.5 billion to more than 2.8 million students … and counting. Search for a scholarship today: www.scholarshipamerica.com
The WashBoard
TheWashBoard.org makes it simple to look for scholarships. We connect Washington students of all types with Washington scholarship providers for FREE. Whether you’ll be attending in state or out, you save time by entering your profile once and letting us find the scholarship opportunities that fit. TheWashBoard.org is spam-free and will never sell your information.
For more information visit: www.TheWashBoard.org
Port Townsend Yacht Club Scholarship
Each spring the Yacht Club awards scholarships to individual students for study in a maritime educational program or college. Approved fields include, but are not limited to: marine biology, fisheries, ship and/or boat building and repair, ship operations such as officer training, and other marine fields. Awards are made to the educational program or school to be used by the students and range approximately between $1,200-$1,500.
For more information visit: www.ptyc.net
Pacific Northwest Tool Collectors Scholarship
The Pacific Northwest Tool Club’s scholarships are intended to financially support students enrolled in educational programs leading to employment in trades that use traditional tools, similar to those collected by members of the club. For more information visit: www.pntc.website/pntc-scholarship
Veterans Scholarship – Port Townsend Elks Lodge 317
The Port Townsend Elks Lodge 317, Veterans Fund, has established a scholarship for military veterans, funded at $2,500, available each year in the month of April, through March of the following year. The fund is available to any honorably discharged military veteran, residing in Jefferson County and/or attending a post-secondary educational program in Jefferson County. The fund may be awarded to one veteran or to multiple veterans depending on need and the number of applications received.
Learn more and apply HERE.
Application deadline: June 15th each year
AAUW UWF Technical Career Endowed Scholarship for Women
The Technical/Career School Scholarship is applicable for an East Jefferson County woman to attend a school accredited by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) or by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). The award of $5,000 will be made to a woman for tuition, fees, and equipment.
For more information click HERE.
NMRA Maritime Trades Scholarship
The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) established its annual scholarship to be awarded to individuals pursuing education related to the maritime trades. NMRA is the national association of independent sales representatives, which recognized the need to encourage further growth within the marine industry. Funds for scholarships are raised from NMRA members.
For more information and to request a scholarship application, email [email protected] with NMRA Scholarship in the subject line or visit www.nmraonline.org.
Application deadline: Accepts applications in the spring annually and recipients are selected during the summer
mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship
mikeroweWORKS Foundation’s Work Ethic Scholarship Program is accepting applications for qualified people wanting training for skilled jobs that are in demand. The Foundation has collaborated with This Old House to create the Generation Next campaign to help close the skills gap by encouraging young people to master the vocational trades that built this country, including carpentry, construction, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.
To see if you have what it takes to apply, and to learn more about the eligibility requirements of the Work Ethic Scholarship Program, visit www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship
Application deadline: Generally mid-April of each year
Bring Back the Trades Scholarship
Bring Back the Trades is a not-for-profit organization helping to fund scholarships for trade school students. One of their primary missions is to equip post-secondary students with scholarships to acquire the knowledge of a professional trade through a U.S. based trades school. They award monthly scholarships during the school calendar year to students from across the United States who are attending post-secondary education in the Skilled Trades. Scholarships of $1,000 are awarded each month and sent directly to the secondary school the award recipient is attending.
To learn more and apply: www.bringbackthetrades.org/scholarship
Applications are awarded each month
Berkshire Woodworkers Guild Scholarship
The Berkshire Woodworkers Guild is a not-for-profit association of professional and amateur woodworkers recognized as a 501(c)(3) private foundation. Our members come from a range of backgrounds and experience. They include cabinet makers, boat builders, sculptors, house builders, suppliers of wood products, wood turners, makers of musical instruments, and more. Since founding our guild in 1998, members have supported young people planning to become professional woodworkers. To that end we have established a scholarship fund supported by generous financial donations and by the proceeds from our annual silent auction to which guild members donate a variety of beautiful wooden objects. As our reputation has grown, our scholarship recipients have attended some of the best woodworking and wooden boat building schools in the country.
To learn more and apply: www.berkshirewoodworkers.org/scholarshipapplication
Application deadline: May 1 of each year
Douglas Warne Vocational Scholarship
The Douglas Warne Vocational Scholarship is funded from an endowment established by Past President of Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001, Sons of Norway Douglas Warne. An award is given to an eligible person up to 25 years old attending or planning on attending an accredited technical, trade, or vocational program in Washington State. The amount of the award for 2023 is $2,000. This scholarship requires a member’s recommendation. Please contact current lodge member Kathleen Lange who is happy to submit her recommendation for an NWSWB student.
For information and application visit www.leiferiksonlodge.org/scholarships.
International Marine Electronics Alliance (IMEA) Scholarship
The International Marine Electronics Alliance (IMEA), a 501 (c)(3) supporting organization of the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA), is expanding its scholarship program to encourage and support students interested in a career in marine electronics. The goal is to alleviate the marine electronics industry worker shortage through education of students to become technical installers of marine electronics and increase the number of qualified new employees for NMEA member companies. Scholarships will be awarded to students who aspire to enter into the exciting career of marine electronics. The IMEA scholarship program is focused on students who are entering into or currently enrolled in a trade school marine technology program, with a focus on marine electronics. Award amount for 2023 is $5,000.
For information and application visit: www.imea-marine.org
Horatio Alger Association Career & Technical Scholarships
The Career & Technical Scholarship Program is funded through the generosity of Horatio Alger Association Members, Dennis R. Washington and Jim F. Dicke II. Scholarships are awarded to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States. Awards of $2,500 for over 500 scholarships. Applicants exhibit strong commitment to pursue and complete a career or technical program at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution and are under the age of 30.
For more information, visit www.scholars.horatioalger.org/about-our-scholarship-programs/technical
SkillPointe Foundation
Since 2021, the SkillPointe Foundation has raised more than $2M to help aspiring workers afford the training they need to build rewarding careers in high-demand industries. We have partnered with leading brands to fund more than 600 skills training scholarships to individuals of all backgrounds in all 50 states.
To learn more scholarships and how to apply, visit www.skillpointefoundation.org.
Application deadline: Varies
The Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro Scholarship for Women
The Home Depot Foundation is investing $200,000 in scholarships for women in trade schools. The Path to Pro Scholarship for Women offers $4,000 to those entering or enrolled in construction trades programs. The scholarship targets candidates intending to enroll or already enrolled in accredited U.S. construction trade programs. The Home Depot Foundation plans to invest $50 million to address the skilled labor gap and diversify the trades industry through Path to Pro programs. Awardees will be announced on a monthly basis until all funds have been awarded.
For more information and how to apply: www.myscholarship.app/the-home-depot-foundations-path-to-pro-scholarship-for-women
Application deadline: Varies
DeWalt Trades Scholarship
Stanley Black & Decker has established the DEWALT Trades Scholarship to assist individuals attending a two-year college or vocational-technical school who are pursuing a trade degree/certificate in an industry aligned with the Stanley Black & Decker Trade Goals – including but are not limited to Construction, Industrial, Motor/Power Sector, Mechanics, and Technology.
For information visit www.learnmore.scholarsapply.org/dewalttrade
Fair Chance Trade School Scholarship
The $3,000 Fair Chance “Trade School” Scholarship is awarded to two students from across the state of Washington pursuing an education in a trade. An example of a trade could be cosmetology, esthetician, electrician, plumbing, graphic design, construction management, radiation specialist, and many more! All funds are paid directly to the recipient’s trade school to be used toward tuition or books. Students must be residents of Washington State.
For information and how to apply: www.thefair.com/foundation/scholarships
Live Your Dream
The Live Your Dream Awards provide monetary assistance to women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families. It is the cornerstone program of Soroptimist International of the Americas, LiveYourDream.org’s sponsoring organization. Each year, more than $2.4 million in education grants are awarded to over 1,500 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, the death of a spouse and/or substance abuse.
For more information click HERE
Application deadline: Applications are accepted August 1st – November 15th of each year
Segal Americorps Education Award
The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is a post-service benefit received by individuals who complete terms of national service in approved AmeriCorps programs, such as AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or AmeriCorps State and National. For up to 3 qualified AmeriCorps alum each school year, the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding provides matching scholarships of $250 per quarter, up to $1,000 for the boatbuilding programs and $750 for the Marine Systems program.
For more information click HERE.
Youth Maritime Training Association Scholarship
Are you a Washington State resident graduating from high school? Are you going into a school or training program for maritime after high school? Each year the Norm Manly Maritime Education Scholarships are awarded in the spring to graduating high school seniors in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $1,000. Scholarships may be used by students pursuing maritime training and education in community colleges, technical and vocational programs, colleges, universities, maritime academies or other educational institutions.
For more information and how to apply, visit www.ymta.net/ymta-scholarships.
Scholarship America’s Dream Award
Too often, student scholarship support dries up after freshman year. Scholarship America’s Dream Award is a renewable scholarship fund for students in their sophomore year and beyond — with growing, renewable awards that help ensure talented students can afford to complete the degree programs they’ve started.
For more information visit: www.scholarshipamerica.org/dreamaward
Pride Foundation Scholarships
Pride Foundation provides essential financial resources and community support to LGBTQ+ student leaders across the Northwest. Since awarding our first scholarship in 1993, we’ve awarded more than $7 million to more than 2,200 students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Through the incredible generosity of our community, Pride Foundation has more than 60 scholarship funds—but students only need to complete one application. The variety of different funds allow us to offer a wide range of scholarship awards that encourage students of all backgrounds and educational interests to apply.
Review scholarship guidelines and how to apply at www.pridefoundation.org/find-funding/scholarships/guidelines.
Anne D. Maloff Scholarships
The Walter H. Meyer and Garry L. White Memorial Education Fund
This $5,000 scholarship is available to non-traditional students which is defined as an individual who did not enroll in college the year after graduating high school. Applicants to The Walter H. Meyer and Garry L. White Memorial Education Fund must meet all of the following criteria: Be a non-traditional student age 24 and older pursuing an undergraduate degree OR Be a graduate student age 30 or older, resides in the state of Washington, and plans to enroll in an accredited two-or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
For more information and how to apply: www.learnmore.scholarsapply.org/meyerwhitescholarship
The Anne M. Maloof Scholarship assists students from the counties of Island, Kitsap, Jefferson or Thurston in the state of Washington. Applicants to the Anne D. Maloof Scholarship must meet all of the following criteria: Be a high school graduate or current college undergraduates or graduate level student, have a permanent address in Island, Kitsap, Jefferson or Thurston county in the state of Washington, and plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited two-or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
For more information and how to apply: www.learnmore.scholarsapply.org/maloofscholarship
Washington State Elks Association Vocational Grant
The Washington State Elks Association Vocational Grant is designed to help graduating high school seniors pursue their vocational education. This grant may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies at a Community College or Technical School. It may be used only for usual and required costs of applicant’s planned course of study and must be paid directly to the school they will be attending.
For more information click HERE.
Application deadline: March 1st of each year
Joseph Darimont Vocational Award
This $1,000.00 scholarship is designed to help any individual 18 yrs–50 years of age at the time of the application, who is a U.S. Citizen and is preparing to enter or return to the workforce. High School Seniors (and others currently in High School) do not qualify for this scholarship. The Joseph Darimont Vocational Award may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies. It may be used only for usual and required costs of applicant’s planned course of study and must be paid directly to the school they will be attending by the Washington State Elks Association.
For more information click HERE.
Application deadline: March 1st of each year
Second Chances Scholarship in memory of Dorothy M. Yothers
This scholarship is designed to help deserving mature women offset some of the costs of achieving their financial goals. Recipients can receive up to $1,000 per quarter based on their specific financial need. This scholarship is renewable up to completion of the course based on a GPA of 3.0. Although Dorothy, the wife of Bob Yothers, Past Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, has flown off to a brighter dawn, her legacy lives on today. To be eligible for the Dorothy M. Yothers Second Chances Scholarship you must be a woman over 25 years of age, who is a U.S. Citizen, who plans to pursue an eligible Vocational/Technical course in the state of Washington, above and supplemental to high school or preparatory school level.
For more information click HERE.
Application deadline: May 1st of each year
Joe Ford Trade Scholarship
At the age of 21, Joseph Ford lost his life during a tragic motorcycle accident. He had an inquisitive mind and spent his childhood in his family garage working with his hands on various projects. After working a part time job at D.F. Richard Energy, his confidence grew and he realized his calling was in the trades. Upon graduating he began working as a full time technician with D.F. Richard Energy. This $2,000 scholarship aims to honor his life by supporting students who possess similar attributes and aspirations as Joe did. High school seniors and students currently enrolled in a trade school, who are interested in pursuing a career in building, industrial, or mechanical trades are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
For more information and to apply visit click HERE.
Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship
Skilled trades are the backbone of our society and can be lucrative, stable career opportunities. While often overlooked, higher education in a trade can be critical in order to set a firm foundation to build that career on. Russell Koci is a retired machinist, farmer and do-it-all craftsman. This $1,300 scholarship celebrates his achievements by seeking out others cut from a similar cloth. Those who seek a career in trades such as (but not limited to) fabrication, construction, farming, plumbing, electrical and beyond are encouraged to apply. Any current trade school student or high school senior that is interested in attending a trade school may apply for this scholarship.
For more information and to apply visit click HERE.
Ben Bonner Memorial Scholarship
Ben Bonner was a beloved son and brother who brought light to the lives of everyone he knew. Ben was kind, compassionate, gentle, and a friend to everyone. He loved helping others in any way he could, including emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Ben strove to not let socioeconomic status get in the way of his friendships and wanted to uplift the underprivileged. This $1,500 scholarship aims to honor Ben Bonner’s legacy by supporting low-income students who are interested in pursuing careers in the trades. Any low-income undergraduate trades student or high school senior interested in trade school may apply for this scholarship.
For more information and to apply visit click HERE.
Slater Miller Memorial Fund
Slater Miller was a beloved nephew who passed away too soon. Slater was a machinist who graduated from the Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minnesota. Slater was passionate about social issues, standing up for what’s right, and ultimately helping others. This $1,400 scholarship seeks to honor the life of Slater Miller by supporting trade school students with financial need. Any trade school student who is low-income and has non-profit and/or volunteering experience may apply for this scholarship.
For more information and to apply visit click HERE.
American Trucks Scholarship
At AmericanTrucks we are passionate about our mission to serve the community that supports us and we’ve recognized a growing trend in the building trades industry. We’ve recognized a growing trend in the building trades industry. Educational programs are receiving a lot of attention from national leaders and it’s our goal to be involved in a meaningful way. We are pleased to offer 2 x $2500 scholarships to students pursuing a career in the traditional building trades such as HVAC, carpentry, electrical, or related fields of study. Eligible students are currently enrolled full-time in a secondary vocational school, technical institute, or are high school seniors who are enrolled in one of the aforementioned institutes.
For more information and how to apply: www.americantrucks.com/scholarships.html
Application deadline: Accepts submissions year-round as follows: Spring: By 12:00 pm on October 15 and Fall: By 12:00pm on June 15.
CCF Foundation Education Award
Cocodrie Fly Fishing is proud to offer quarterly awards to university and college students! This scholarship will be awarded to a citizen or a Permanent Resident of the United States who is enrolled and taking classes at an accredited college or university in the United States. CFF will grant selected applicants a $1,500 financial award for their compelling essays on fishing, outdoors and adventure activities each quarter.
For more information visit: www.cocodrieflyfishing.com/foundation-award
Application deadline: Each quarter
Dylan Rondeau Sail Away Scholarship Fund
This scholarship honors Dylan Rondeau, who was a smart, self-motivated maritime worker who was just at the beginning of his career when he passed. This scholarship fund will help others who are serious about pursuing a career in the marine trades.
To Apply:
- Go to TheWashBoard.org site
- Go to “Seeker Registration”
- Build a profile under “Student”
- Under “Search Scholarships” type in the name of the scholarship
- If you have difficulty, call Washboard Customer Service at 888-535-0747 option 8.
