Scholarships That Fuel Automotive Careers

The Driven to Care Legacy Scholarship honors John Weinberger's passion for automobiles by supporting students who share his love for the automotive world. Whether you're headed to a university for an engineering degree, a restoration & preservation program, or a technical school certification, there's a scholarship pathway for your automotive career.

Automotive Engineering Scholarships

Whom It's For:

Students pursuing automotive-focused engineering degrees at participating Illinois and Texas universities.

Eligible Programs:

Illinois

Northern Illinois University (NIU) - School of Engineering and Engineering Technology | Must be an SAE member
Southern Illinois University (SIU) - School of Automotive Technology
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) - School of Engineering | Must be an SAE member

Texas

Texas State University (TXST) - School of Engineering | For SAE and Bobcat Racing members

Award Amount:

$2,000 - $5,000

What It Covers:

Tuition.

Partnership Note:

We partner with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to support students who combine classroom learning with real-world automotive engineering experience.

Application Details:

NIU: Now Open - Deadline April 1 | scholarships@niu.edu | 815-753-1395
SIU: Opens September | scholarships@siu.edu | 618-453-4628
UIC: Opens February | scholarshiphelp@uic.edu | 312-413-1066
TXST: Now Open - Deadline March 31 | cosescholarships@txstate.edu | 512-245-8978

Automotive Technician & Motorsports Scholarships

Whom It's For:

Students enrolled in automotive technical training programs at trade schools or community colleges in Illinois or Texas.

Eligible Programs:

Any accredited in-state technical school or community college offering automotive technician certification programs.

Award Amount:

$1,000 - $5,000

What It Covers:

Tuition

Special Opportunities:

Women in Automotive: One scholarship per state specifically awarded to female students pursuing technician careers
Lyons Township High School: Dedicated scholarship for LTHS graduates pursuing automotive technician training in Illinois - Learn more
Motorsports Engine Specialization: Scholarships for students in engine block machining programs

How It Works:

Technical school scholarships are awarded monthly and annually through the TechForce Foundation. This means multiple application opportunities throughout the year.

Application Information:

Applications administered through TechForce Foundation. Contact TechForce for current application periods and requirements.

Automotive Restoration Scholarships

Whom It's For:

Students who are passionate about preserving automotive history through vintage car restoration.

Eligible Programs:

McPherson College - Automotive Restoration and Preservation (Illinois & Texas residents)

McPherson College offers a unique four-year program combining hands-on restoration experience with academic study. Students work on real vintage vehicles while learning metal fabrication, engine rebuilding, upholstery, paint, and automotive history. The program includes internship opportunities at museums, restoration shops, and private collections nationwide.

Five Areas of Emphasis:

Automotive Restoration Technology
Communications
Management
Design
History

Award Amount:

$2,000 - $5,000

What It Covers:

Tuition

Application Information:

Learn more about McPherson College Restoration Program

Student Experience Opportunities

Driven to Care scholarships are just the beginning. Recipients gain access to exclusive student experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world automotive careers.

Track Day Experiences

Behind-the-scenes access to professional racetracks, including Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where you'll meet racing professionals and see motorsports operations up close.

Industry Tours

Visit automotive auctions, dealerships, restoration shops, and manufacturing facilities to see where your career could take you.

Networking Events

Career fairs, workshops, and networking sessions that connect you directly with employers, mentors, and industry professionals.

View Upcoming Events

Niko Katsafaros

"A huge thank you to everyone part of your team. You have no idea how much this means to me and my thanks are immeasurable. "

Need Help With Your Application?

We want every qualified student to have the best opportunity to receive a scholarship. Here are a few application tips to help you through the process:

Start early, don't wait until the deadline
Stay up to date on deadlines
Follow all instructions exactly as provided
Carefully read the eligibility criteria
Have someone review your essay
Be specific about your automotive passion and career goals
Highlight any automotive-related experience (even hobby projects count!)
Address the intent of the scholarship. Try to understand the donor’s motivation for offering the award. For example, if “volunteering” is listed in the eligibility criteria, emphasize your experience in volunteering and include the number of hours you volunteered, and if you held a leadership role.
Ensure letters of recommendation come from people who know your work
Essays are very important. Create an outline to organize your thoughts and make sure you thoroughly and thoughtfully answer the question asked. Give examples and be specific. Proofread a printed copy of your essay for spelling and grammar errors, and ask someone else to read it.