Wisconsin Foundation Awards $25K in Trade School Scholarships

High school seniors across Wisconsin have a new chance to jumpstart their careers in skilled trades without the burden of crushing student debt.

The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation just opened applications for its annual technical college scholarship program. The foundation will award $25,000 total to students pursuing one-year diplomas or two-year degrees at six Wisconsin technical colleges.

This isn't a new initiative. The WPS Foundation has been quietly changing lives since 1964, pouring more than $6 million into helping students afford their education over the past six decades.

Last year alone, 14 students received scholarships to study fields where Wisconsin desperately needs workers: automotive maintenance, electric power distribution, engineering technology, and marketing. Each scholarship averages $750, enough to cover books, tools, or several credit hours at most technical colleges.

High school seniors living in the WPS service area can apply if they plan to attend Fox Valley Technical College, Lakeshore Technical College, Mid-State Technical College, Nicolet Technical College, Northcentral Technical College, or Northeast Wisconsin Technical College full-time this fall.

The application window stays open through April 30. Students can apply directly through the WPS Foundation website.

The selection committee looks at three main factors: academic achievement, involvement in school and community activities, and financial need. No single factor makes or breaks an application.

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships do more than help individual students afford school. They're addressing Wisconsin's skilled trades shortage, which has left businesses scrambling to find qualified technicians and tradespeople.

Every scholarship recipient represents a future electrician who'll keep the lights on, a mechanic who'll keep vehicles running safely, or an engineer who'll build the infrastructure Wisconsin needs. These aren't just jobs. They're careers with strong wages, job security, and opportunities to stay rooted in Wisconsin communities.

The foundation's six-decade commitment shows what's possible when utilities invest in the communities they serve. Those thousands of past scholarship recipients are now working across Wisconsin, many giving back to their own communities.

Applications close April 30, giving students two months to gather transcripts, write essays, and submit their dreams for review.