Career Tech Scholarships

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships are awarded to students who will be attending college or post-secondary vocational training following high school graduation. Each award is $500 with one excellence award of a higher amount.
Application
Application Deadline: Due to Mrs. Olds (kolds@northwested.org) by 3:00 p.m., February 28, 2025.

Tools of the Trade Awards

Tools of the Trade Awards are given to students who will attend a post-secondary trade school, other technical training following high school, or who go directly into the workforce. Each award is $500 with one excellence award of a higher amount. Tools of the Trade student requisition form. 
Application
Application Deadline: Due to Mr. Bialik (bbialik@northwested.org) by 3:00 p.m., February 28, 2025.

Leadership Challenge Scholarship

Two academic scholarships of up to $2,000 each will be awarded. Email Mr. Bialik (bbialik@northwested.org) with questions.
Application
Application Deadline: Due to the Student Services office by 3:00 p.m., February 28, 2025.

NTHS Scholarship

National Technical Honor Society members are eligible to apply for this $500 scholarship. Email Mrs.Olds at kolds@northwested.org with questions.
Application
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Career Tech Donor-Directed Scholarships

The following are donor-directed scholarships and awards made available through the North Ed Foundation. They are available to students through the Career Tech Academic Scholarship and Tools of the Trade Award applications. You do not need to submit additional applications for these scholarships and awards. Please note specific eligibility requirements in bold for each scholarship or award.

Albert and Mary Education Scholarship

Engineering Academy Student

Al Jordan is a long-standing member as a founder of the Manufacturing Technology Academy (now Engineering Academy) in 1996 and a committed mentor to countless Engineering Academy students ever since.

Allen Joseph Haase Memorial Scholarship

Agriscience Student

Allen Haase was a passionate young man who loved working with plants and immersed himself in our Agriscience program while in high school.  Unfortunately, in his mid 20s, Allen passed away. In memory of their son, Chris & Karen Haase established the Allen Haase Memorial Scholarship.

Beulah Sigsbey Memorial Scholarship 

As a longtime custodian at Career Tech, Pat Sigsbey has faithfully served our students for years. When his mother passed away in 2023, Pat wanted to honor her memory by continuing to support our students in their academic and career pursuits after they leave Career Tech through the Beulah Sigsbey Memorial Scholarship.

Career Tech Golf Poster Awards

Graphic Arts Students

Students whose designs are selected for the Annual Career Tech Golf Outing will be awarded these as Academic Scholarships or Tools of the Trade Awards.

Dan & Janice Schoonmaker Academic Scholarship and Tools of the Trade Award

The Schoonmaker scholarships are given by Dan & Janice Schoonmaker.  They are friends of Career Tech and believe in providing young people with an opportunity to learn a trade or skill.

Dick Asiala Memorial Scholarship

Teacher Academy Student

Dick Asiala retired from his 40-year career in education in 1993 after serving as superintendent of TBAISD (now known as Northwest Education Services). Dick was a distinguished speech therapist, teacher, and outstanding administrator who demonstrated unwavering support to youth. He served as a great role model to the superintendents who followed in his path and who, along with his family and friends, helped to establish this scholarship in his honor.

Douglas Keith Memorial Scholarship

Auto Repair or Collision Repair Student

Douglas Keith grew up on a farm in northeast Iowa during the Great Depression and learned basic mechanical skills on the farm.  After high school, he was hired as a mechanic at a small Ford dealership and then bought the business a few years later in 1951 at the age of 22.  In 1959, Keith Motor Co. burned down, so he rebuilt it from the ground up.  Mr. Keith was respected as an honest, trustworthy car dealer and mechanic.  Although he ran the business, his first love was always tinkering under the hood of anything with a motor.  Mr. Keith died of Alzheimer’s Disease in 1993 at the age of 64.

Elementary Education Scholarship

Early Education or Teacher Academy Student

The Early Education Scholarship is granted to a student who intends to pursue teaching children at their first exposure to school.

Eric Newberg Construction Trades Scholarship

Construction Student

This scholarship is given in the honor of Eric Newberg who is a skilled trades person in Benzie County. 

Free n Joy Scholarship

Film New Media or Writer’s Studio Student

Nathan Scherrer grew up in Northport, and graduated from Northport Public School. Nathan planned to continue his education in Engineering. While at the University of Michigan he took a film course and found that he loved it. He moved to California and followed his passion to be in the film industry. He now owns FREENJOY, a successful Video Production Company in California and produces music videos for Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Coldplay, Pharrell Williams, and many more. Nathan would like to give back by helping students who demonstrate a passion for the Film industry.

Harold Emerson Memorial Scholarship

Auto Repair Student

Harold Emerson was a paraprofessional in our Automotive program many years ago.  His children said, upon his death, that his work at Career Tech was among his most fulfilling work experiences of his life, and he just loved sharing his knowledge with young people.  In his memory, they established the Harold Emerson Memorial Scholarship.

Herb Domres Memorial Scholarship

Herb Domres was a man of great natural ability who specialized in all things mechanical but especially John Deere equipment and the field of hydraulics.  Upon his death, his wife and daughter, along with their families, established the Herb Domres Memorial Scholarship for an individual with good attendance, a strong work ethic, self-motivation, and a willingness to help others.

Jack & Barb Drew Memorial Scholarship

Benzie County Student

Jack Drew was a longtime Director of Career Technical Education in Wayne County and a local advocate for Career Technical Education. Jack helped to establish and pass a five-county millage election to fund the Northwest Education Services (North Ed) Career Tech.  Jacked passed away in December 2023. He and his wife wanted to help students in Benzie County in achieving their dreams. 

Jim Huge Leadership Scholarship

Teacher Academy Student

Jim Huge (pronounced Hew-gee) was an outstanding teacher, coach, principal, superintendent, and national thought leader in the field of educational leadership. As all great teachers, Jim had an incredible capacity to establish warm, rich and nurturing relationships with all those he taught, coached, and mentored. After his death in 2024, his family and friends committed this scholarship to an outstanding graduate of the Teacher Academy.

Kevin & Sharron Gay Tools of the Trade Award

These awards are given by Kevin and Sharron Gay. They are supporters of Career Tech and believe that providing young people in the trades with the tools they need to succeed is important.

Lake Ann Lions Club Tools of the Trade Award

The Lions Club International’s mission is “To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding.”  Each year, the Lake Ann Lions Club hosts a pancake breakfast and a golf outing to raise funds, much of which goes to our students.  Even though Ron Gray passed this last year, the legacy of generosity he and Jim Morse began years ago continues to provide these awards.

Mary Savage Academic Scholarship

Female Student in a Non-traditional Career Pathway

Mary Savage worked for North Ed in our Tech Services Department before her death from cancer in 2016.  As a young mother of 3 daughters, Mary went back to school to pursue a computer science degree when few women were in the technical workforce. In her memory, her daughters established the Mary Savage Memorial Scholarship for a young woman who, like her, finds passion in technology.

Mike & Judy Walls Tools of the Trade Award

Michael and Judy Walls had varied careers that always came back to doing what they could for the well-being of others. They rose to national prominence in their respective fields - Mike in education and Judy in real estate. Judy died in 2016. Mike established this award to support kids who may need assistance in starting their careers.

Paul Safina Character & Achievement Scholarship

Precision Machining or Robotics & Automation Student

The Paul Safina Character & Achievement Scholarship will be awarded to one student each year who demonstrates a love for learning, a belief in hard work, and a resilience that mirrors that of Mr. Paul Safina, a legendary volunteer of 17 years at Career Tech. The student who earns this scholarship should share Paulie's belief that dedication conquers doubt and that service to ourselves, our skills, and our community is the truest reward.

Richard & May Purvis Memorial Scholarship

Welding Student

Rich Purvis was trained to weld at General Motors Institute and served our country welding airplanes during WWII.  He started his own shop and, after selling it, worked as a parapro in our welding program.  Rich was a little bit of everything; welder, city councilman, mayor, Boy Scout Scoutmaster, a great husband, dad, and member of the community.  After his death at the age of 100, a memorial scholarship was established in his name.

Riopelle-Dowden Technical Scholarship (GT Regional Foundation) 

The Riopelle/ Dowden Technical Scholarship Endowment supports annual scholarship awards for students from the five-county area that are enrolled, or planning to enroll, in an associate's degree, certificate, or apprenticeship program.

Steinmetz Award

Electrical Student 

After a long and successful career in the Electrical Occupations field, Chuck Steinmetz established a scholarship for individuals pursuing the field that was so good to him.

Tate Scholarship or Award

Collision Repair Student

The Tate Scholarship was established to assist a Career Tech Collision Repair student who has successfully completed the program as they continue in their career or education.

Thin Blue Line Scholarship

Public Safety Student

The Thin Blue Line scholarship was established to assist a Public Safety student who has successfully completed the program and is pursuing a criminal justice degree through Northwestern Michigan College (NMC).

Thomas F. Quinn Scholarship

Northwestern Michigan College Engineering or Precision Machining Student

Tom Quinn, Sr. was one of ten children who grew up on a farm and learned the lessons of hard work and perseverance in overcoming personal challenges. He applied his talents and had a 40-year career as a tool and die maker. He loved his work and was respected by his employers, co-workers, family, and friends. He died in 2024.

Thomas F. Quinn Scholarship

Michigan State University Engineering or Precision Machining Student

This scholarship was endowed by Thomas Quinn, Jr. in honor of his father, Thomas Quinn, Sr., who died in 2024 after a long career as a tool maker. Tom Quinn, Jr., is a graduate of the engineering program at Michigan State University and became an attorney and highly successful entrepreneur.

Traverse City High School Class of ‘74 Scholarship

TC Central Students

Requirements to follow.

Vincent J. Schafer Memorial Scholarship 

Electrical or Construction Student 

Vince had over 40 years of experience working in the trades.  He started as an electrician before venturing out to start his own construction company.  Vince’s skill and love for the trades soon set him apart from others.  He took many kids under his wing to teach them about carpentry and building homes.  Sadly, Vince passed away April 20th, 2024 after a long battle with cancer.  His wish was to start a scholarship fund to help students who wanted to pursue a career in electrical or the building trades to get started with tools, safety gear, supplies, or classes.

Vivian Hedden-Bassett Scholarships (NMC Foundation)

Agriscience Student

In memory of Vivian Hedden Bassett , her husband William Bassett, Sr. and son William Bassett, Jr. have established a scholarship for graduating seniors in the North Ed Career Tech in the Agriscience program.

Higher Education Opportunities

Northwestern Michigan College (NMC)

Northwestern Michigan College and the Michigan Community College Guarantee provide high school graduates living in Grand Traverse County free tuition at NMC, plus an additional $1,000 for students with higher financial need. This guarantee provides students in our surrounding counties (Leelanau, Antrim, Kalkaska and Benzie) reduced tuition at Northwestern Michigan College up to the amount of in-district tuition.
Northwestern Michigan College Career Tech Commitment. Through the generosity of the NMC Foundation, NMC has committed to provide Career Tech graduates in Leelanau, Antrim, Kalkaska and Benzie Counties full free tuition if they are eligible for a Pell grant at any level of qualification. Applicants must complete the FAFSA application to determine eligibility.

Central Michigan University (CMU)

CMU will award ten $1,000 scholarships annually to Career Tech students who plan to attend Central Michigan University. The scholarships are renewable for four years. Additional scholarship and application details can be found below. For more information on criteria and process for applying, contact your program counselor. 

Davenport University

Davenport University will award two $1,000 scholarships annually to Career Tech students who plan to attend Davenport University. The scholarships are renewable for four years. For more information on criteria and process for applying, contact your program counselor. 

Ferris State University (FSU)

FSU will award five $1,000 scholarships annually to Career Tech students who plan to attend Ferris State University. For more information on criteria and process for applying, contact your program counselor. 

Lake State Superior University (LSSU)

LSSU will award a $2,500 scholarship, renewable for one year, to Career Tech students from our five-county service area who plan to attend LSSU. For more information on criteria and process for applying, contact your program counselor. 

Michigan State University (MSU)

MSU will award five $1,000 scholarships annually to Career Tech students pursuing their education through the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology. These scholarships are renewable for four years. The scholarships are renewable for four years. Additional scholarship and application details can be found below. For more information on criteria and process for applying, contact your program counselor. 

Michigan Technological University Partner Pathway Award

Students enrolled in the Career Tech Engineering Academy program are eligible for a $1,000 annual renewable scholarship at Michigan Technological University (MTU). The MTU Partner Pathway Award scholarship program requires that Engineering Academy students successfully complete two years at Engineering Academy and enroll at MTU as first-year students. For additional information, contact Engineering Academy Instructor Debby Oliver at doliver@northwested.org.
Application will reopen in 2025.

Additional Details

Davenport University Scholarship

Criteria for eligibility:

1. Admitted to Davenport University. 
2. Successful completion of a minimum of one full-year program of study in one of Career Tech's 22 different occupational programs. 
3. Request a letter of confirmation from CT that shows successful completion of the CT program for the student.
4. Incoming freshman and NMC Transfer students considered. 

CMU Northwest Education Services Career Tech Scholarships

There are 10 renewable $1,000/yr scholarships annually.

Criteria for eligibility:

1. Successful admission as a CMU student 

2. Successful completion of a minimum of one full year program of study in one of Career Tech’s 22 different occupational programs 

3. Successful completion of all graduation requirements at the local high school of attendance 

4. Letter of recommendation from the lead instructor of the Career Tech program of attendance 

5. Letter of recommendation from an administrator or counselor from Career Tech or the home high school of attendance 

6. Student must enroll full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours in the fall and/or spring semester) at CMU immediately upon completion at the Career Tech Center 

7. Must complete 30 credit hours in a year, which may require the student to attend during summer 

8. For incoming freshman or transfer students only  

Northwestern Michigan College and Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology Scholarship

Scholarship Details

We are pleased to announce a new scholarship opportunity for students pursuing their education through the Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) program at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). This scholarship aims to support students who have demonstrated dedication to agricultural studies during their high school career and technical education programs.

Award: Five (5) scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded annually

Eligibility:

• Applicants must have completed a high school career and technical education program at Northwest Education Service Career Tech Center in agriscience, electrical occupations, or culinary arts with a 2.5 GPA or higher.

• Applicants must be accepted into an MSU IAT certificate program at Northwestern Michigan College.

• Applicants must be enrolled full-time (NMC and MSU credits combined) in their chosen IAT program.

Application Process

To apply for this scholarship, eligible students must:

1. Complete the scholarship application form on the MSU College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (CANR) website.

2. Submit an official high school transcript

3. Provide proof of acceptance into an IAT program at NMC

4. Write a 500-word essay describing their career goals in agriculture and how this scholarship will help them achieve those goals

Selection Criteria

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on:

• Academic achievement in their high school career and technical education program

• Demonstrated passion for agriculture and related fields

• Quality and content of the application essay

• Financial need

Important Dates

• Application deadline: May 1, 2025

• Scholarship winners announced: June 15, 2025

• Funds disbursed: At the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester

About the IAT Program at NMC

The partnership between Michigan State University and Northwestern Michigan College offers students the opportunity to earn an MSU certificate while working towards an associate's degree from NMC. Available certificate programs include:

- Fruit and Vegetable Crop Management

- Landscape Management

- Viticulture

These programs provide students with practical knowledge and hands-on training for careers in Michigan's agricultural sector.

For more information about the IAT programs offered at NMC or to apply for this scholarship, please contact the MSU IAT office.

Other Scholarships

SET SEG Skilled Trade Scholarship

Michigan public high school seniors who are enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited two-year college, technical school or other accredited technical institute within the next 12 months. Scholarship amount $500. Contact marketinghelp@setseg.org or 800-292-5421 with questions.
Application
Application will reopen in 2025.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (GTRCF)

Several competitive scholarships are available through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Currently accepting applications for the 2025 Scholarship.

 Annette Basler Memorial Scholarship

Two scholarships valued at $1,000 each will be awarded by the Interlochen Area Chamber of Commerce in memory of Annette Basler. Students must have attended Interlochen Elementary School or currently live in the Green Lake Township district. Visit the Annette Basler Memorial Scholarship  website for more information.
Application
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025

Horatio Alger Career and Technical Scholarships

The Horatio Alger Career and Technical Scholarships
Application opens March 15, 2025.

Elk Rapids Industrial Development Scholarship

This scholarship is for students from Elk Rapids High School with a minimum 2.5 GPA, planning to enter a vocational program in a college, trade school, or apprentice training program.
Application
Application will reopen in 2025.

Leelanau County Prospectors Club Scholarship

Five scholarships valued at $2,000 each will be awarded by The Leelanau County Prospectors Club. Applicants must reside in Leelanau County. Send completed applications to Janikchet@aol.com.
Application
Application Deadline: April 11, 2025

P.E.O. Scholarship

Young women graduating from high school in the spring of 2025 who have attended North Ed Career Tech for the 2024-25 school year, and will be entering college or a vocational program in the fall of 2025 are eligible to apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Application Instruction Form.
Request application from Mrs. Kris Wendland at dcpeoscholarship@gmail.com.
Application Deadline: April 4, 2025

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

MOAA Chapter awards over $7,000 in Scholarship funds to deserving students who are children or grandchildren of current or retired military members. The funds can be used for post-secondary education.
Application
Application will reopen in 2025.

Traverse Area Human Resources Association (TAHRA) Scholarship

The TAHRA scholarship is open to students pursuing a career in Human Resources. High school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores and juniors may apply (both full-time and part-time students are eligible); as well as individuals pursuing a human resources master’s degree program.
Application Due: April 1, 2025

TC Tourism Hospitality Scholarship

The Traverse City Tourism Hospitality Scholarship is a regional scholarship supporting students who are pursuing degrees, industry certifications, or careers in hospitality or tourism-related studies. Future entrepreneurs are encouraged. 
Application will reopen in 2025.

College Board Opportunity Scholarships

For additional scholarship opportunities, visit College Board Opportunity Scholarships.