Wisconsin Automotive & Truck Education Association

Driving the Training That Keeps You Running!

Scholarship Programs

WATEA has been very proactive in providing scholarships to students throughout its history. Scholarships are available for students of all ages and have enable recipients to afford to complete key training programs in both high school and college.

Past scholarships have gone to students participating in the High School Auto Careers Pathways program, WATDA Foundation scholarship recipients, and individuals who demonstrated a unique need to participate in an approved training program.

WATDA Foundation Scholarship Program

WATEA has partnered with The Foundation of the Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association (WATDA) for much of its history, providing more than $70,000 in scholarships to students pursuing college degrees in the transportation industry.


WATDA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS:

Students must submit an online application and supporting documents through the WATDA website each January before the deadline. Qualifying students will be invited to complete an interview with a small panel to discuss their plans for pursuing a career in the industry. Students are then chosen by the WATEA Board of Directors to receive up to $3000 in scholarships. In addition, ALL scholarship recipients will receive a new set of Snap-On tools worth over $4,300!

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Visit WATDA for information.
  • When the next round of scholarships opens in fall, submit your application and supporting documents by the January deadline.
  • If you want to be notified when the application period opens, send an email to WATDA Program Director Julie Olson

Past Winners:

The Brad Peck Educational Excellence Award

Starting in 2020, one scholarship recipient per year is nominated for the exclusive Brad Peck award. This award is given: “In recognition of scholarship recipients who embody Dr. Brad Peck’s passion for pursuing educational excellence and his dedication to supporting the transportation industry workforce.”

2021 Winner: Dawson Heckendorf,
Northcentral Technical College

2020 Winner: Andrew Heinzen,
Wausau East High School

BACKGROUND: Dr. Brad Peck retired as the Wausau East High School principal in 2020 after spending 30 years as an educator. During his tenure, he supported significant expansions in the district’s automotive education & training programs and was an enthusiastic workforce partner for WATEA and its members

Past WATEA/WATDA Foundation Scholarship Award Winners

2023 Scholarship Winners

2022 Scholarship Winners

2021 Scholarship Winners

2020 Scholarship Winners

2018 Scholarship Winners

2016 Scholarship Winners

NOTE: Photos were not available for all years. Lack of a photo should not be interpreted to mean that scholarships were not awarded during that year.