Scholarship Listings for Skilled Trades

PLEASE NOTE - Due to the delays with the FAFSA, the application deadline has been extended to February 25, 2024 (does not include the Quad City Regional Auto Show Scholarships). Applicants may now submit an estimated SAI but will be asked for final confirmation in April before scholarship is announced. Links and more information can be found on the individual scholarship applications.

Diana (Diane) De Pover-Nesseler Memorial Scholarship

For the story behind the Diana De Pover-Nessler Memorial Scholarship, click here.
This scholarship is awarded every four years, and will award a new scholarship in 2027.

Need-based: No.
Amount: Up to $700 a year.
Renewable: Yes, for up to four years total or until graduation, whichever comes first.
Renewal Conditions: Maintain satisfactory academic progress and continue to meet other scholarship criteria.

Requirements and selection criteria:

  • Applicant must be enrolled or enrolling at a community college in the Quad Cities area for purposes of pursuing a career in their chosen area of study.

  • Preference will be given to female students pursuing a career in Applied Technologies and/or Career Tech Programs.

  • Recipients should demonstrate the perseverance, tenacity, determination and love of life that Diana had during her lifetime, as demonstrated through work experience, community involvement, and school achievement.

 

Don E. & Charlotte Williams Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to assist to individuals pursuing an education at colleges and other post-high school institutions, including trade and technical schools.

Need-based: Yes.
Amount: Up to $3,000 a year for full-time students and $75 per semester hour for part-time students. 
Renewable: Yes, for up to four years total or until graduation, whichever comes first.
Renewal Conditions: Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and continue to meet other scholarship criteria.

Requirements and selection criteria:

  • Applicant must reside in Scott County, Iowa or Rock Island County, IL, OR

  • If the applicant does not reside in the counties specified, the applicant must be a lineal descendant or dependent of a former employee (worldwide) of Don E. Williams Company.

  • Applicant may be a graduating high school senior or a non-traditional student.

  • Applicant must not yet have a bachelor’s degree.

  • Applicant should show evidence of leadership and character.

  • Applicant should submit an essay describing how their planned education will enable the applicant to achieve gainful employment in the applicant's chosen career.

  • Financial aid is a consideration, but not the determining factor.

  • Criteria include academic achievement, applicant’s determination to achieve his or her educational goals, and evidence of well-rounded interests and concern for others.

  • Preference will be given to applicants who are lineal descendants of a former employee of the Don E. Williams Company who was in good standing with the company during their employment.

 

Jerry and Martha Taylor MEmorial SCHOLARSHIP

Need-based: No.
Amount: Up to $1,000.
Renewable: No.

Requirements and selection criteria: 

  • Applicant must be a resident of Rock Island County.

  • Applicant must have at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 grade point scale (or equivalent average). 

  • A preference will be given to students who are majoring in journalism, theater arts, or special education; or students who are attending an accredited trade school.

 

Ligino Family Scholarship

Need-based: Yes.
Amount: Up to $500.
Renewable: No.

Requirements and selection criteria:

  • Applicant must be a graduating senior from United Township High School. 

  • Applicant must have at least a 3.0 grade point average.

  • Applicant must plan to be a full-time student at college, university or trade school.

  • Financial need will be the primary criteria for the scholarship.

  • Merit evaluated by school activities, community and personal activities, and work experience.

  • A rotating scholarship preference (not a requirement) in any single year is given to a student involved in or intending to pursue a career in the following:

    • 2024 – Track and Field

    • 2025 – Vocational Education

    • 2026 - Business

    • 2027 - Basketball

 

Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship

For the story behind the Mike Condon Memorial Scholarship, click here.

Need-based: No.
Amount: Up to $1,500 a year.
Renewable: Yes, for two years total or until graduation, whichever comes first.
Renewal Conditions: Maintain at least a 2.25 GPA and continue to meet other scholarship criteria.

Requirements and selection criteria:

  • Applicant must reside in one of the following counties: Clinton, Scott, Rock Island, or Muscatine.

  • Applicant must have at least a 2.25 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale (or equivalent average).

  • Applicant must be enrolled in a construction-related course of study.

  • Applicant must plan to or be enrolled full-time and pursuing an Associates or Bachelor of Arts degree from a college or university.

  • A preference will be given to students who have completed construction-related curriculum or participated in school-sponsored construction-related activities.

 

PAUL AND BEVERLY ECKERT SCHOLARSHIP 

Need-based: No.
Amount: Up to $2,000.
Renewable: Yes, for four years total or until graduation, whichever comes first.  

Requirements and selection criteria:

  • Applicant must be a graduating senior from Assumption High School, Davenport Central High School, Davenport West High School, or Davenport North High School.

  • Applicant must plan to pursue a degree from any accredited college, university, or trade school.

 

Quad City Regional Auto Show Automotive/Technical Trade School Scholarship

For the story behind the Quad City Regional Auto Show Scholarship, click here.

Need-based: No.
Amount: Multiple awards are made each year for up to $5,000 each.
Renewable: No.
Special Deadline: January 21, 2024 at 11:59pm.

All applicants must reside in one of the following counties:
Illinois Counties: Bureau, Carroll, Henderson, Henry, Jo Davies, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island, Warren, Whiteside
Iowa Counties: Cedar, Clinton, Des Moines, Henry, Jackson, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott

Requirements and selection criteria:

  • Applicant must attend or plan to attend Automotive Technical/Trade School.

  • Applicant must not have previously received an Auto Show Scholarship.

  • Main selection criteria is an essay that discusses the applicant’s interest in pursuing a career in the automotive industry. Other factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the applicants' participation in community service, extracurricular activities, work experience and academics.

  • One letter of recommendation is required, from a reference of the applicant's choosing (cannot be a relative of the applicant). This letter should include the following information in order for the applicant to be considered for this award: How the writer knows the applicant; the applicant’s past experience with, and future interest in, the automotive trades.

 

tana and gerry odean Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded every four years and will award a new scholarship in 2024.

Need-based: Yes.
Amount: Up to $500 a year.
Renewable: Yes, for up to four years total or until graduation, whichever comes first.
Renewal Conditions: Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and continue to meet other scholarship criteria. 

Requirements and selection criteria:

  • Applicant must have attended Assumption High School in Davenport, IA.

  • Applicant must live in Scott County, Iowa.

  • Applicant must plan to earn a degree or certification at any accredited 2-year or 4-year school, or trade/technical school.  Preference for education in the medical field.

  • Demonstrated financial need is the primary factor in evaluation.

  • Merit evaluated by church and school activities, community service, and personal activities.

  • Academic achievement evaluated by GPA, transcript, and if relevant, test scores.