Scholarships

Well guys I need your help. I'm graduating from High school this year and I need some help finding scholarships. I'm going to go to Linn State Tech school in Linn, MO to learn to be a semi truck mechanic. So do you know if any scrapyards that offer scholarships? Thanks!

scrapyard giving a mechanic scholarship ? not sure about that. Seems you might do best looking to large trucking firms for some

Not sure if you are asking about scholarships in general or just specifically about scholarships backed by scrapyards.

I've never heard of scrapyards sponsoring anything but you can always email the big ones around you and ask them directly. Some of the big guys may well offer something and maybe a young guy asking the question of them might just give them a push in that way. After all, the big yards hire HD mechanics and millwrights and welders, so it stands to reason they should be encouraging young guys in the trades.

I would also talk to the school you are planning on going to...ask them about scholarships, since they are likely to know who in your area does offer them. Check with the local Rotary club, Lions club, chamber of commerce, etc. The school you are graduating from might be able to point you at some scholarship possibilities, too.

I kind of think finding the scholarships might be a bit like finding scrap--you have to be bold as brass and walk up to anyone and everyone asking the question.

Hope this helps,
Jon.

Thanks for the reply guys. I'll check with my yard because I know they do have their own mechanics. I guess I'm looking now for any national scholarships any of you all might know of. Jon I think you hit the nail on the head with your statement.

Caleb,

Google is probably your friend here, too. I can't help thinking that there might be a listing somewhere of scholarships...maybe the gov't, in the post-secondary education areas. I did a quick search for something like "listing of college scholarships" and got a gazillion hits, so if you're patient you might come up with a few that you might like to chase.

After all, scholarships are supposed to be advertised! You can't apply for it if no one knows about it!

Jon.

Caleb......check with your local library. Our librarian gave my son several leads when he started college this year. Also, Jon is right, check with local civic clubs, garden clubs and others like that. They usually give out small scholarships. You will usually have to write an essay or introduction of yourself for them, but it's worth it. My son wrote several of these, and ended up winning two $500 scholarships and one smaller to go along with his academic scholarship given by the college he's attending now.

Local businesses like to support local students who want to educate themselves. There are many who might give $50 or $100 just as a one time deal. I know several banks that do this, check with all of them. Don't be bashful, go in, look sharp, be confident, know what your goals are in education and don't be disappointed with a "no" answer. The person you talk to may not give a scholarship, but may know someone else who does.

There are usually some memorial scholarships available locally also. Head down to City Hall and ask around. You never know what you'll find. Check out everything and sign up for the ones you qualify for. You'll get something if you're willing to work for it. Many people won't even try on the ones that require you to do essays.

Originally Posted by caleb7210

Well guys I need your help. I'm graduating from High school this year and I need some help finding scholarships. I'm going to go to Linn State Tech school in Linn, MO to learn to be a semi truck mechanic. So do you know if any scrapyards that offer scholarships? Thanks!

How about a Pell Grant from the gov. you don't have to repay.

Thanks guys, I did some more searching around and found some more. I recently received an offer from my local Peterbilt dealer that they're going to sponsor me through my schooling and guarantee me a job once I graduate. They will also pay my way to go to factory specific training (Cat, Cummins, Pacar, Detroit, ect..) I start this summer as just a service man. It shows busting your ass and being nice to others pays off. I got this offer from a mechanic I worked with at a local trucking company last summer, who recently left the trucking company to be the shop manager for the dealership. He knew how much more I wanted to learn and that my work ethic was better than most kids my age.

Wow, Caleb,

You can't beat an offer like that!! Are there any strings attached, like how long you have to work with them after you graduate?

You've also just discovered the world of "networking" where knowing a key guy paid off BIG TIME!

Good for you.

Jon.

Congratulations Caleb, it's good to see someone succeed who's willing to put forth the effort.

Congratulations! Caleb, good going man. You can go a long ways with Peterbilt, shop manager not being the limit there. I suggest a course in business to go with your education. Good luck!

Thanks again guys, I'm really excited lol. We haven't discussed the full details yet, but I'll probably be contracted to work for them 2 years. I applied with the Cat think big program but I didn't meet their qualifications in the "standardized testing". I'm starting to see I didn't make it into the Cat program for a reason now.

What reason could that have been Caleb? What led you to choose diesel mechanics? Do you naturally tinker with cars and trucks, motorbikes, computers, clocks, radios(the list could be endless)? I have been in the mechanics field, with both those who were inclined, and those who weren't(no matter how much schooling they'd had) and never before had the saying been so clear to me(you can lead a horse to water ; )
Unless you are so inclined, you might should think deeper about it. Have you discussed it well with your parents, teachers, those who know you best?

Caleb, I never had a scholarship, but I went to Motorcycle Mechanics Institue and still pay on those loans. I dont regret the education, but looking back should have gone for diesel mechanics. I think its a great field to get into as there are so many oppurtunities. Congratulations and good luck!

Good deal Caleb, thanks for that. Add me to the list who believes you are certainly on the right track and believes you will do well

Caleb....You never know what path your career will take, so don't limit yourself. You could go to a vocational school for your technical studies and if they will cover it, go to a regular college for a more widespread degree. I am a full time farmer and I put myself through college and got a degree in Business Management. You don't have to have a degree of any kind to advance in life if you're ambition, but it can make some doors easier to open. Free education is wonderful, go for it.

Pnutfarmer I'm just gonna let this be the start. I thought I can always go back to college later on if I wanted to. Thanks again guys for all of the inspiration, its good to know there are good people out there lol