2026 Scholarships Available - Applications Due March 3, 2026

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA – 2026

____GSHBA Scholarship of Excellence - $2,000

This scholarship is available to any eligible student or resident seeking education in the building industry living in GSHBA tri-county area of Adams, Juneau, Portage, Waushara, Waupaca, and Wood counties. The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____Jeff Nygaard Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

GSHBA sponsors this scholarship in memory of former member Jeff

Nygaard. This scholarship will be available to any student or resident in the

Portage County area seeking an education in the health care profession or building related industry. This "stipend" will be granted directly to the recipient's school upon verification of enrollment. 

____The Portage County Bank Scholarship - $1,000

This scholarship will be available to any student or resident in the Portage County area that is seeking education in the finance/banking profession or building industry. This "stipend" will be granted directly to the recipient's school upon verification of enrollment.

____ Ryley Hofferber Memorial Scholarship - $1,000 

This is available to a student from Portage or Waupaca County. The award recipient must be planning on entering or enrolled in a degree apprenticeship program or education program in the field of building construction trades. The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____ Hammer Down Scholarship - $1,000

This scholarship is available to any student seeking education in the Building Industry, Health/Promotional Wellenes or Physical Therapy living in Adams, Juneau, Portage, Waushara, Waupaca or Wood County. The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____ GSHBA Parade of Homes Scholarship - $1,000

This scholarship is available to any student seeking education in the Building Industry, Interior Design, Drafting or Marketing fields living in Adams, Juneau, Portage, Waushara, Waupaca or Wood County. The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____ Alchemy Concrete Scholarship - $1,500

This scholarship is available to a student from Amherst High School. The award recipient must be planning on entering or enrolled in a degree apprenticeship program or education program in the field of building construction trades.  The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____ FFH Scholarship - $1,000

This scholarship is available to any new or continuing full or part time student seeking education at Mid-State Technical College in the Construction Trades program. The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____ Freedom Home Builders Scholarship - $1,000

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Must have an enlistment contract to join any branch of service.

2. Must be in one of the trades or joining an engineer MOS. 

It can be a split if they already did basic training, and they are home to finish high school before going to do second phase of initial entry training.

____ Marty Family Scholarship - $1,250

This scholarship is available to any Portage County resident training and working in a building industry trade. This "stipend" will be granted directly to the recipient for work related tools and equipment. 

____ AgCountry Farm Credit Services Scholarship - $1,500

This scholarship will be available to any student seeking education in the finance/banking profession or building industry. This "stipend" will be granted directly to the recipient's school upon verification of enrollment.

____ Welling Kitchen, Bath & Flooring Scholarship - $1,000

This grant is available to any person entering a career related to kitchen, bath and/or floor design or remodeling. Applicants should explain their anticipated career, and how the grant will reduce the barrier to entry. The grant will be issued to the recipient for work-related tools, equipment, or education. 

____ Feltz Lumber Scholarship - $1,500

This scholarship is available to any student seeking education in the Building Industry, Interior Design, Drafting or Marketing fields living in Adams, Juneau, Portage, Waushara, Waupaca or Wood County. The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____  Ideal Crane Rental, Inc. Workforce Ambassador Scholarship - $1,000 

This scholarship is available to any new or continuing full or part time student seeking education at Mid-State Technical College in the Construction Trades or Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician program. The “stipend” will be granted directly to the recipient’s school upon verification of enrollment.

____ Adams Skilled Trades Scholarship – $1,200

This scholarship is available to any student or resident within the GSHBA tri-county area — including Adams, Juneau, Portage, Waushara, Waupaca, and Wood counties — who is planning to enter or is currently enrolled in a degree, apprenticeship, or certification program in the electrical, mechanical, or building  construction trades. Preference will be given to applicants pursuing careers in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or other skilled trades that support residential and light commercial construction. The scholarship award will be paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution upon verification of enrollment.

____ SRS Building Products Scholarship - $1,000

This scholarship is available to any student in Portage county that is seeking education in the building industry, drafting or  marketing fields. This "stipend" will be granted directly to the recipient's school upon verification of enrollment.

  ____ Wirtz & Co Construction Scholarship $1,000

This scholarship is available to anyone majoring in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, skilled trades or related. Career commitment should show statement of intent to work in construction engineering or related. No GPA requirements. Preferably from Central Wisconsin and we encourage underrepresented groups (women in construction, second chance parents who are starting over). Please include in your essay “Why I Want to Build”