Mike Rowe Foundation Offers Trade School Scholarship

The contest is open to high school seniors, graduates and people with a GED.

Former “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe is offering scholarships through his charitable foundation that will offer money for skilled jobs training.

This is the fifth year that the organization has offered its work ethic scholarship, which are taking application through June 4.

The amount awarded has not been specified in terms of dollars, but the organization refers to it as a “pile of money” and, in a video announcing the 2018 scholarship, Rowe said the foundation has at least $500,000 to give away.

Over the years, Rowe says the scholarship program has given away about $5 million so far.

On the official page for the scholarship contest, it states that all applicants must sign Rowe’s “S.W.E.A.T. Pledge,” a 12-point treatise designed to hold its signer to Rowe’s own standards of what makes someone worthy of such a gift.

Applicants must also have at least two references, excluding family members.

They must also submit an essay about why they want to work in the trades and what makes them deserving of the scholarship, along with a short video that helps make their case.

“Why are you drawn to the skilled trades? Why do you deserve to receive an award? Let us know any accomplishments or anything you do that shows that you believe in the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge,” according to the scholarship website. “For example, do you volunteer, or were you an Eagle Scout? Do you put in extra hours helping other students or mentoring kids?”