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PROGRAM OVERVIEW  

Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for this award, you must:

  • be a full or part-time permanent employee of an MSCI member company: service center (Active), producer (Associate), or goods and services provider (Affiliate). The company must be a member in good standing with local chapter and MSCI national dues paid in full. Recipients must be a permanent employee of an MSCI member company in good standing at both the national and chapter levels for the duration of the scholarship award period.
  • be enrolled or plan to enroll in the upcoming semester at a trade-related program at an accredited two-year college, vocational or technical school, or other approved technical institute leading to a trade degree/certificate in the United States or Canada. Four-year degree or bachelor programs are not eligible.

What are the approved trade programs?
Trades must be directly applicable to one’s advancement in industrial metals with examples including but not limited to metal fabrication, welding, heavy equipment operation, machinery, and electrical technology programs.

When is the application deadline?
Monday, April 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM Central Time Zone. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as early as possible.  

What can this scholarship be used for?
MSCI Skilled Trade Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, or other expenses directly related to enrollment and completion of the program.    

What is the amount of the scholarship awards?
$3,500 will be paid directly to the awardees.    

What is the anticipated timeline for the Program?

  • Application Open: Monday, January 1, 2024
  • Application Deadline: Monday, April 1, 2024 Extended to Wednesday, May 1, 2024
  • Notification of Selection Results: May/June 2024 
  • Funds Disbursed: June/July 2024  

What are the items I have to complete for the application?
As part of the application process, you must:

  • Submit information regarding the skilled trade you are pursuing. In addition to the name of the program, we will ask for the name and type of school.
  • Provide e-mail address of HR Representative or Manager. This individual will be contacted by MSCI prior to consideration of your application to verify your employment with a current MSCI member company.
  • Respond to the short essay prompts. Each applicant must respond to each prompt in 250 words or less:
    • Tell us about your work experience and background that is driving your passion to further your career in the skilled trades?  
    • Where do you see yourself after program completion and how will this scholarship help you achieve your career goals?  
    • Make sure you read and follow all instructions carefully and thoroughly.  

Is this award renewable?
No. However, former applicants may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.  

APPLICATION & AWARD DETAILS  

How do I apply?
Interested applicants may apply at https://skilledtrades-scholarships.secure-platform.com/. If you already have an MSCI account, you may use it to log in at the scholarship site. Otherwise, you will need to create an account to apply.

How will the application be evaluated?
Evaluators will review the applications based on a rubric that considers:

  • Choice of program 
  • Work experience
  • Responses to essay prompts
  • Completeness of the application

Decisions of MSCI and its Evaluation Committee are final and are not subject to appeal. No application feedback will be given.

Do I need to know which program I plan to attend before submitting my application?
Yes, you must list the program that you are attending or planning to attend. If selected as a recipient, you will be asked to provide proof of enrollment prior to receiving the scholarship award.  

Who can verify my employement?
Your employment can be verified by a Human Resources representative or your manager. This individual will be contacted by MSCI prior to consideration of your application. It is important that you use their company email address; entering a personal email address (e.g., gmail, yahoo) may cause your application to be rejected.

How will I be notified about the status of my application?
Notifications will be sent via email to the email address you used to create your account.  

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION  

Are scholarships taxable?
Tax laws vary by country. In the United States, scholarship funds used exclusively for the payment of tuition and textbooks are normally not taxable. The scholarship recipient is responsible for taxes, if any, that may be assessed against his or her scholarship award. We recommend consulting your tax adviser for more guidance. You may also consult IRS Publication 970 for additional information.

Contact Information
Questions can be directed to memberservices@msci.org.  

You may download a pdf version here.