- Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility
Our Board of Directors has established the Minimum Eligibility Requirements for an individual applicant:
1) Must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident and/or approved DACA status;
2) have a high school diploma or GED;
3) be an enrolled future student — or — an active, current student in good standing at a post-secondary, ASE- or iCar-accredited educational institution offering a vehicle technician curriculum;
4) must demonstrate financial hardship by having a completed and approved FAFSA on record at campus (or other financial-need based evidence, if using DACA status), and available for review by the Foundation;
5) be requesting funds for the purposes directly related to pursuing a technical education and/or career in the transportation industry.
Applicants must also meet any requirements for specific scholarships or grants offered by the Foundation, such as minimum GPA or attendance record criteria. (See individual Scholarship & Grant descriptions and requirements.)
- What is the legal structure of TechForce Foundation?
TechForce Foundation is a national nonprofit corporation, recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. The Foundation is autonomous, has its own board of directors and governance system.
- What is TechForce Foundation’s mission?
Mission Statement: To champion students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians.
Vision Statement: To harness the collective resources of the transportation industry to develop tomorrow’s workforce of qualified technicians by:
- Increasing awareness & enthusiasm for the profession;
- Providing resources to help access quality education for those with financial need;
- Connecting future techs and industry through mentorship and career development opportunities.
- How long has the Foundation been around?
We were formed in 2005, and began operations in 2007.
- How is the Foundation related to UTI, Inc., if at all?
The two are separate and autonomous corporations. TechForce Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) Arizona not-for-profit with the charitable mission of championing students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. We work nationwide with a multitude of donors and supporters, and have an autonomous board of directors. TechForce achieves its mission by spearheading its FutureTech Success program, which increases awareness & enthusiasm for the profession and connects future techs and industry through mentorship and career development opportunities. TechForce also achieves its mission by providing resources to help students with financial need access quality education through scholarships & grants. Prior to August 2016, TechForce Foundation was named Universal Technical Institute Foundation, hence we often get this question.
- Our company is interested in working with the Foundation. How can I learn more?
The Foundation seeks integrated, long-term strategic alliances with corporations able to provide funding, in-kind products or services, marketing muscle, employee engagement, deep discounts, cause-marketing or consumer activation campaigns or other resources. Download a corporate alliance resource kit by
clicking here, and visit a listing of our current corporate partners
here. To begin discussions,
contact Jennifer Maher, Executive Director at
jmaher@techforce.org or
623-445-0933.
- Who is on the Foundation’s Board of Directors?
The current board is comprised of the following individuals: Chris Blanchette, Chairman/President (Advance Auto Parts, Tennessee); Angie Babin, Vice Chair (Caliber Collision, Texas); Warren DeBardelaben, Immediate Past President (Nissan North America-Retired, Tennessee); Monica Stoica, Treasurer (Bridgestone Retail Operations, Tennessee); Jennifer Maher, Secretary/Executive Director (TechForce, Arizona); Dan Hancock (General Motors-Retired, Indiana); John Heenan (Ten November Management, Pennsylvania); Michael Hoffman (FedEx Freight, Tennessee); Kim McCullough (America's Automotive Trust, New Jersey); Greg Rintala (Snap-on, Wisconsin); Denise Kingstrom Fernandez (BASF, Michigan); Barry Fodor (Nissan North America-Retired, Tennessee); Tony Sciarra (Tesla, California).
- Where can I find the Foundation’s recent 990?
Download the Foundation’s most recent Form 990 Disclosure:
Download
- Does the Foundation only support students attending UTI campuses?
No. In fact, today TechForce is a strong advocate for high school CTE (career and technical education) programs across the U.S., provides grants to other nonprofits offering scholarships, S.T.E.M.-based technical education, skills- and career-development opportunities, and is currently expanding its capacity to support more students going to an array of training programs and schools.
- Who is eligible to apply for scholarships or grants?
To be considered for a scholarship or grant, applicants must meet certain minimum eligibility criteria, including:
For an individual applicant:
1) Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status with proof of current Employment Authorization Document; 2) Be requesting funds for the purposes directly related to pursuing a technical education and/or a technical career in the transportation industry; 3) Have a high school diploma or GED; 4) Be currently enrolled at a post-secondary, technical education program (Note: to be “enrolled” means student has paid the enrollment deposit and signed the intent to attend documentation – or – is a current, active student and not on a leave of absence, withdrawn, or other status that is not actively attending classes); 5) Demonstrate financial need; 6) Meet the minimum qualifications for any posted opportunity you apply to.
For organization applicants:
1) Shall be either a 501(c)(3), and/or: 2) A public, private or charter secondary school (middle-, junior- or high school) that offers a career & technical education (CTE)-type of program that includes automotive. 3) Applications are by invitation only. For more information, use the Contact form on this website to Send a Message.
- How do I apply for a TechForce Foundation scholarship or grant?
The answers are found in the Student Tip Sheet and you can also watch our video. Then follow the process on the Scholarships page to reach our scholarship/grant site where you will apply.
Download our Student Tip Sheet for more helpful information.
- How do I create an account to apply for TechForce Foundation scholarship or grants (Sign-Up process)?
Review the
Student Tip Sheet items ① and ② tell you how to Sign-Up (first-timer) and Sign-In (returning applicants).
- Why won’t my login work, when I’ve been in the system before (Sign-In process)?
The most common reasons are:
Email account:
-
As of May 8, you must use the PERSONAL email address that is on file with your school (we no longer use your school-issued email).
What does this mean for your TechForce account?
Starting May 8, you must use the PERSONAL EMAIL on file with your school to Sign-In. That is the ONLY email that will work in our scholarship/grant system. Your TechForce password will not change (it will remain the one you created). Once you’ve Signed-In, continue to apply for Scholarships & Grants.
Password:
If you know you’re using the right email, are you sure you’re using the right password? If you can’t remember your password, from the Sign-in Page click the Trouble Signing In link, enter your email and click Recover Password. You will receive an email with instructions on how to recover your password.
Account Confirmation Not Completed
-
– If you haven’t really been in the system before, you first have to Sign-UP. See the
Student Tip Sheet
- I haven’t heard anything back about a scholarship or grant I applied for. What’s the status?
- I never seem to receive an award. My application always gets rejected. Why?
There are many reasons, and we can’t comment on every hypothetical situation. Please know that TechForce is a good steward of our donors’ funds while also helping students to and through their education, but unfortunately, we don’t have a pot of gold. Keep in mind that reviewers do consider student’s application answers, EFC, commitment to their education, ability to overcome obstacles, driving record, high school GPA, veteran status, work experience, perseverance and many other factors. So share your story with us – and make sure to give full answers when you apply. One-sentence answers or “my plan is to get a job” just don’t cut it. And if you aren’t selected, be persistent! If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualifications, you CAN apply again to new open opportunities.
- If I’m a veteran, are there special funds available for me or my children?
Yes, many donors give specifically to support veterans. Follow the standard application process (See the
Student Tip Sheet or watch the
video) and your status as a veteran will automatically match you to available Foundation scholarships or grants for consideration.
TechForce Foundation is a member of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #70172). Additionally, children of Marines may apply for scholarships to attend any participating campus through the Foundation’s relationship with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
- If I’m a child or stepchild of a Marine, are there scholarships and grants available for me?
Children of Marines may apply for scholarships to attend any participating campus through the Foundation’s relationship with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
- What do I do if I don’t have Internet or a computer?
Visit your school’s student services office, library, or consider asking a teacher, friend, or family member if they can help you. Also, the Foundation’s website as well as its scholarship & grant application system is accessible via SmartPhones.
- What do I do if I don’t have a scanner?
Visit your local copy center, your school library, or consider asking a teacher, friend, or family member if they can help you. Also, most SmartPhones now have a camera or receipt scanning apps. Take a photo of your receipt (or document), ensuring the merchant, date, and amount are clearly visible, and email the receipt to yourself, open and save the file, and then attach the file to your submission.
- Why must I have a completed FAFSA in order to apply for a Foundation scholarship or grant award?
All awards are based upon financial hardship, thus financial need must be demonstrated by each applicant. In order to reduce the paperwork and steps needed to apply to the Foundation, we require the student or his/her parent to grant the Foundation permission to access the applicant’s FAFSA and student transcript on file with any participating campus.
- Do I have to complete an Authorization to Release Information and Waiver form?
It depends on when you started school…
If you enrolled in school after March 1, 2017: You probably completed the release when you enrolled. So if you’ve never been in the scholarship/grant system before, start by trying the Sign-Up process.
Student Tip Sheet
-
① and ② to learn how to Sign-Up (first-timer) and watch the
video
2) If you can create your account, all is good and no form is needed. Simply follow the application process.
3) BUT, If you receive an error message, keep reading….
If you enrolled in school before March 1, 2017 OR your account Sign-Up is Invalid or Locked: If you’ve never applied to TechForce, chances are you DO need to complete the form. Especially if you’ve tried the Sign-Up process and it just won’t work. Click here to complete the
Authorization Form and follow the instructions to submit. Then, wait 2-business days before you retry the Sign-Up process. While you wait, review the
Student Tip Sheet and watch the
video so you’ll know how to apply. (NOTE: We
won’t contact you to tell you the form has been processed. Simply proceed with the Sign-Up process after you’ve submitted your form and given us the 2-business day processing time).
- I’ve read all the information and watched the video and I still don’t know what to do – can I get help?
Yes. Pick your option:
School Staff: Ask your campus Student Services department or enrollment representative as they have a wealth of information and experience assisting students.
Email: Use the
Contact form on this website to Send a Message. Make sure to provide your Student ID# and the issue you are having. We’ll get back to you, normally within 2-business days.
Call us Toll Free: Our number is
(866) 519-6923. If we don’t pick up (we’re a small crew!) make sure to leave a message and provide your Student ID#, the issue you are having and a call back number. We’ll get back to you, normally within 2-business days.
