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The WorkSmart Career Opportunity Scholarships help remove financial barriers that prevent students from participating in approved career and technical education opportunities.

Depending on available funding and individual need, scholarships may help cover;

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) tuition or enrollment fees.
• Required work uniforms, safety equipment, or tools
• Required program fees
• Industry certification or credential exam fees
• Bus transportation, mileage assistance, or other necessary travel expenses related to attending an approved program
• Other approved career training expenses directly related to the student's program

Scholarship awards vary based on available funding, eligibility, and demonstrated need. Funds are paid directly to the educational institution, training provider, transportation provider, testing organization, or approved vendor whenever possible.

Marion County students in grades 9–12 may apply. Eligibility requirements apply. Additional counties will be added as outreach expands.

WorkSmart Foundation offers a variety of programs, including after-school programs, summer camps, and mentoring programs.

A student must:

• Be in grades 9–12 and live in Marion County
• Attend public school, private school, homeschool, or another approved educational setting.
• Be enrolled in, accepted into, or actively seeking an eligible CTE course, workforce training program, industry credential, or other approved career opportunity.
• Demonstrate financial need or another barrier that could prevent participation.
• Be recommended by an adult who knows the student, such as a teacher, counselor, employer, career coach, church leader, or community member.
• Complete the student scholarship application and participate in a brief family meeting if follow-up information is needed.
• Join a WorkSmart Career Network (free).
• The student and family must provide the information and documentation WorkSmart needs to make payment directly to the approved school, training provider, credentialing organization, employer-related vendor, or other approved provider

Students receiving assistance should also agree to:

• Attend and make reasonable progress in the funded program.
• Develop or update a career plan, résumé, portfolio, or Workforce Passport.
• Complete an approved career experience, such as an internship, job shadow, employer project, workplace tour, mentorship, or service-learning experience and reflection.
• Active progress toward a WorkSmart digital badge connected to their career pathway.

Scholarship awards are based on:

• Eligibility for the scholarship and the approved education, training, credential, or career opportunity 
• Financial need or another documented barrier that may prevent the student from participating.
• Urgency, including upcoming enrollment, training, testing, or payment deadlines 
• The student’s commitment to participate and complete program requirements, shown through the completed application, “Tell Us About Yourself” response, resume, reference sheet, and required WorkSmart activities 
• Whether other funding is available to help cover the cost 
• The amount of scholarship funding available.

The resume, reference sheet, and personal response are used to help WorkSmart understand the student’s goals, needs, and willingness to participate. Students are not judged on having a professionally written résumé or perfect writing. Free help is available for students who need assistance completing these materials.

Completing an application does not guarantee an award. Scholarship decisions are made by the WorkSmart Foundation and the WorkSmart Advisory Committee based on the information provided and the funding available at the time of review.

Scholarships may help cover approved job-related expenses, workforce training, industry-recognized credential fees, and, for eligible homeschool and private school students, tuition at the Carl Loftin Career and Technical Center

Complete the online scholarship application. We may contact you if additional information is needed. Click the Scholarship link at the top of the page and follow the instructions.

Yes. Parents, teachers, counselors, employers, pastors, community members, and others are welcome to recommend a student for consideration.

No. A recommendation simply lets us know about a student who may benefit. The student must still complete the scholarship application and meet eligibility requirements.

Scholarships are awarded based on eligibility, demonstrated need, program priorities, and available funding.

Whenever possible, scholarship funds are paid directly to the school, training provider, testing organization, or vendor rather than to the student or family.

No. WorkSmart Career Opportunity Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

Most applications are reviewed within approximately 7-10 business days. We will contact you if additional information is needed or to let you know the status of your application.

Yes, a sponsor may express a preference that a donation be considered in support of a particular student by submitting a recommendation* on the student's behalf and explaining why they believe the student should be considered for a scholarship. 

All donations are made to the WorkSmart Career Opportunity Scholarship Fund, and the WorkSmart Foundation retains full authority and discretion over all scholarship decisions. 

Scholarship awards are based on the Foundation's published eligibility and selection criteria.

After eligibility is confirmed, completed applications are reviewed once a week using the Foundation's established scholarship criteria.

Consideration may include the student's financial barrier, career goals, commitment to completing the program, participation in WorkSmart activities, recommendations, community support, other available assistance, and the amount of scholarship funding available.

Recommendations and sponsor preferences may provide helpful information, but they do not guarantee an award. All final scholarship decisions are made by the WorkSmart Foundation and are based on the student's complete application and the needs of the scholarship program.

If you have additional questions, please email info@worksmartfoundation.org