PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation
Introduction
The PHCC Educational Foundation aims to lower barriers for qualified entrants to the plumbing-heating-cooling trades by providing targeted financial support. Each year the Foundation, together with industry sponsors, awards scholarships to students and apprentices pursuing careers in plumbing and HVACR.
Who should apply
- Plumbing and HVAC apprentices, technicians, and trade-school students.
- College students enrolled in majors directly tied to the p-h-c trades.
Contractors: encourage your apprentices to submit applications. Even if your company covers apprenticeship training, a scholarship can reduce training expenses and provide recognition for the apprentice. Please limit submissions to no more than four applicants per employer and nominate your strongest candidates.
Important dates
- Application window: January through May 1, 2026.
- Submission deadline (all materials): May 1, 2026.
- Review period: committee of contractors reviews applications during the summer.
- Winners selected: late July.
- Applicant notifications: sent in August.
How to apply (apprentices/technicians employed by PHCC members)
Applicants who work for PHCC member contractors must:
1. Complete the online scholarship application.
2. Upload an employer recommendation letter written by the PHCC contractor business owner or the apprentice’s manager. (SAMPLE RECOMMENDATION LETTERS are provided to simplify this step.)
3. Respond to five questions about their background and career interests.
4. Optionally, include academic transcripts and a letter of recommendation from the apprentice program instructor.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must be legal residents of the United States (citizens, lawful permanent residents, etc.) or qualifying Canadian apprentices (see note below), and must be currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in one of the following:
1) PHCC-approved plumbing or HVACR apprentice program, or the PHCC Educational Foundation’s Fast Track to Service & Repair online courses. Apprentices/technicians in these programs must be employed full-time by a licensed plumbing or HVAC contractor who is a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association. Approved course focus: plumbing or HVACR installation, service, and repair.
2) Full-time certificate or associate degree program at an accredited two-year community college, technical college, or trade school, with a major directly related to the p-h-c profession. Approved majors include: business management; mechanical CAD design; construction management with a mechanical construction specialty; and plumbing or HVACR installation, service, and repair.
3) Full-time undergraduate degree program at an accredited four-year college or university, majoring in a field directly related to the p-h-c profession. Approved majors include: business management; construction management with a specialization in mechanical construction; and mechanical engineering.
General limits and Canadian applicants
- Employers should submit no more than four applications per company.
- No more than four employees from a single employer may receive awards in a single year.
- Canadian citizen apprentices are eligible if they are enrolled in a PHCC-approved plumbing or HVACR apprentice program and are employed full-time by a licensed plumbing or HVAC contractor who is a PHCC-National Association member. Approved coursework is limited to plumbing or HVACR installation, service, and repair.
Additional notes
1. If an applicant’s school uses a different program title than the approved majors listed, the applicant should provide official school documentation describing the curriculum and how it aligns with an approved area of study.
2. Full-time student status requires enrollment in at least 12 semester credit hours, or the institution’s minimum credit requirement for full-time status—whichever is greater.
3. The PHCC of Massachusetts Auxiliary scholarship is restricted to applicants who are Massachusetts residents and plan to attend a four-year college. That particular award has no limitation on course of study.
Contact
For questions about eligibility, deadlines, or application materials, contact the PHCC Educational Foundation (contact information available on the PHCC website).