Sheet Metal Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Sheet Metal Workers' International Scholarship Foundation

Overview
The Sheet Metal Workers’ International Scholarship Fund exists to help members of the union community and their families access four‑year undergraduate degrees and participate fully in today’s economy. Read this carefully — it explains what awards are available, who can apply, and exactly how to apply so your packet won’t be disqualified.

Scholarships available
- Fund awards: 34 scholarships of $6,000 per year for up to four years (undergraduate study).
- Note: Only applicants from local unions that participate by collectively bargaining to contribute — or by authorizing one‑cent‑per‑hour check‑offs — are eligible for these four‑year awards. Applicants who don’t meet that local participation requirement will still be considered for single‑year awards through the Scholarship Foundation (below).
- Specialized Mechanical Engineering and Architecture awards: up to five years total. Payments are $6,000 in year one and $12,000 each year in years two through five (total $54,000).
- Scholarship Foundation awards: 20 one‑year scholarships of $4,000, plus two one‑year $5,000 awards (the Joseph J. Nigro award and the Joey Nigro, Jr. memorial award).

Selection process
An independent committee of union, academic, and civic leaders selects recipients after reviewing transcripts, recommendations, and the required essay. The committee’s selections are published in the fall issue of The Members’ Journal.

Who is eligible
In general:
- Applicant must be one of the following:
- an active member of SMART’s former SMWIA,
- a covered employee, or
- a dependent spouse or child (under age 25) of a SMART/SMWIA member or covered employee.
- Applicant must be a full‑time undergraduate student or accepted for full‑time undergraduate study at an accredited college or university.
- The scholarship is for undergraduate study only and may be used for any field.
- Dependents must be under 25, unmarried, and claimed as a dependent on the eligible member’s federal income tax return. Grandchildren are not eligible.

Definitions of member, dependent, spouse, and full‑time are printed on the application packet — read them before you complete the form.

How to apply — timeline and checklist
1. Request the application
- Request window: September 1 through February 15.
- How: Download and print the Application Request Form, or complete it online and email it to the Scholarship Programs Office. (Make sure you have an up‑to‑date version of Adobe and save your document properly before emailing.)
- Application Request Forms are also printed in the fall issue of The Members’ Journal.
- The Scholarship Programs Office will review your request and mail the correct application packet (Fund or Foundation) to the address you provide.

2. Complete the application packet (when it arrives)
You must include:
- Full information about the active SMART/SMWIA member and the applicant, including:
- International Association membership number,
- Local union number of the member,
- If different, the local under whose jurisdiction the member worked during the preceding calendar year.
- An official transcript showing unweighted GPA:
- High school seniors: sealed transcript from the high school guidance office.
- Current college students: official college transcript (in place of high school grades).
- A letter of recommendation.
- A one‑ to two‑page essay on the topic provided in the instruction packet.

Important: Follow the instructions exactly. Missing signatures or required elements will disqualify an application, and incomplete packets are not acknowledged.

Deadlines (strict)
- Application request must be received by February 15. Requests received after that date will not be considered or acknowledged.
- Completed application and all supporting materials must be postmarked no later than March 1. Packets postmarked after March 1 will not be considered or acknowledged.

Matching grants from colleges
Some participating colleges offer additional grants to scholarship recipients. If you apply to — and are accepted by — a participating school, you may be eligible for extra support. A current list of participating schools is sent with the application materials.

Where to send the completed application and how to contact the office
Mail the fully completed and signed six‑page application to:
Sheet Metal Workers’ Scholarship Programs
1750 New York Avenue, NW, 6th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006‑5386

Questions or problems:
- Phone: (202) 662‑0858
- Email: scholarship@smart-union.org
- Fax: (202) 662‑0859

Final teacher’s tip: start early, gather your transcript and recommendation well before the deadline, and proofread your essay. A neat, complete packet gives you the best chance.