AISC to offer $135,500 in student scholarships for 2013-2014 academic year

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), in conjunction with several of its structural steel industry partners, is offering $135,500 in scholastic aid for the 2013-2014 academic year. This year's variety of programs offers opportunities to more students than ever before. For full eligibility requirements and to submit an online application form, visit www.aisc.org/scholarships.

"AISC and its members understand the life-changing affects that a little assistance can have on the futures of college students. We are pleased to be able to offer students the opportunity to receive financial assistance through our Scholarship programs," commented Nancy Gavlin, AISC's director of education.

This year's scholarship programs include:

AISC David B. Ratterman Fast Start Scholarships
Award: $40,000 in awards total

Now in its second year, the AISC David B. Ratterman Fast Start Scholarships are for freshmen and sophomore students who either share a permanent residence or are the children of employees at AISC member companies including fabricators, service centers and producers. The program is designed to help students of hardworking employees of steel facilities who want to go to college.

Last year, one applicant, an honors student in need of financial assistance, wrote: "Both of my parents work for an AISC member. The construction field has suffered tremendously over the last few years. [ The company ] being an AISC member, I believe, has allowed my parents to keep working in this difficult time. The fact that [ the company ] is an AISC member, means that they work hard, follow procedures, maintain records and put out a high-quality product that they and their customers can be proud of."

New this year, the Fast Start Scholarships are open to students at two-year colleges in addition to four-year colleges.

AISC Steel Industry Scholarships:

• AISC Education Foundation Scholarships
Award: $65,000 in awards (Amounts vary from $2,000 - $5,000 per award.)
Juniors, seniors and master's degree students enrolled in civil, architectural or construction engineering or construction management programs at U.S. colleges and universities are eligible.

AISC/Industry Partner Scholarships:

Eligibility requirements vary for these scholarships. Visit www.aisc.org/scholarships for details.

• AISC/Associated Steel Erectors of Chicago
Award: 5 x $3,000

• AISC/Southern Association of Steel Fabricators
Award: 2 x $2,500

• AISC/Ohio Structural Steel Association
Award: 1 x $2,500

• AISC/Rocky Mountain Steel Construction Association
Award: 1 x $3,000

• AISC/Great Lakes Fabricators & Erectors Association
Award: 1 x $5,000

Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2013. For additional application requirements and to submit an online application form, visit www.aisc.org/scholarships. If you have any questions, please contact AISC's Maria Mnookin at 312.670.5418 or mnookin@aisc.org.

About the American Institute of Steel Construction
The American Institute of Steel Construction, headquartered in Chicago, is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry. AISC's mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural steel-related technical and market-building activities, including: specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, and market development. AISC has a long tradition of service to the steel construction industry of providing timely and reliable information.