Smart18 Scholarship
The application will be live on or after January 3, 2027. Please return then to register your account and begin your application process.
DEADLINE
March 2, 2026 3:00 PM CT
$4,000 - $6,000
Community or Technical College, Four-Year University
National
Building futures for union families
SMART 18 Scholarship Program
A scholarship program has been developed by Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local No. 18 to support spouses or children of Union members who intend to pursue further education in vocational or college programs.
Scholarship America®, the largest national designer and manager of scholarships and other educational support programs for individuals, corporations, foundations, and associations, is in charge of overseeing the program. Scholarship America’s evaluation staff reviews eligible applications, and each program’s eligibility is decided at the sponsor’s exclusive discretion.
Eligibility
Applicants to the SMART18 Scholarship Program must be:
- A dependent* child, age 25 and under, of a full-time SMART Local No.18 dues-paying-member who has a minimum of 2 years of membership as of the application deadline date.
*Dependent children are unmarried children and claimed as a dependent on the Plan Participant’s (eligible member’s) Federal income tax return.
OR - A legal spouse, age 25 and under, of a full-time SMART Local No.18 dues-paying-member who has a minimum of 2 years of membership as of the application deadline date.
- High school seniors or graduates, or current postsecondary undergraduates, who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
Grandchildren of members are not eligible.
Awards
If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award as follows:
- A SMART Local 18 Award of $4,000. Nine (9) awards will be granted.
- An Essay Impact Award award of $6,000. One (1) award will be granted to the student with the best response to the essay question.
Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.
Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Notification
All applicants will be notified in late April.
Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.
Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address as safe senders in your email contact list.
Payment of Scholarships
Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local No.18.
Payment is made in August.
Selection of Recipients
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:
- Academic performance
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
- Work experience
- A 1,000 character essay
- Unusual personal or family circumstances
- An online recommendation
Financial need is not considered.
Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or member of Sheet Metal Workers International Union Local No.18 play a part in the selection.
Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
Requirements
As part of your application, you must upload the following:
- A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
- Student name
- School name
- Grades
- Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.
One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than three business days after the application deadline date.
Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.
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