Scholarship

Why is advanced training in the trades so important?

In recent years, construction-related industries have had very few individuals apply for educational assistance, whose intent was to pursue advanced training through a trade or technical school.

The Tennessee Housing Association (THA) values these gifted students and appreciates their specific talents and ambitions.

Currently, there are an estimated 650,000 construction-related jobs available across the nation. The factory-built housing industry is just one of many construction-related businesses who are successful due to specialized artisans.

Do I Qualify to Apply?

Scholarship applicants MUST be associated with the manufactured or modular housing construction industry in some way, to be considered.

For example:

the student/individual currently lives in a manufactured or modular home; or
the student/individual has a close relative who works in the manufactured housing industry (i.e., father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, aunt, or uncle); or
the student/individual is currently working in the industry via one of the intern/apprenticeship programs; or
the student/individual is directly employed by a manufactured or modular housing construction-related company.

In order for a student to be eligible to receive one of the stated financial awards from the Stan & Thelma Plumlee Scholarship fund, the following criteria must be followed:

Must have graduated from a Tennessee High School (public, private, parochial) or equivalent (GED).
Must be accepted by an accredited Tennessee Trade or Technical School/Program or other institute of higher learning.
The institute of higher learning must be a Tennessee public or private university or college, a junior college, or an accredited trade or technical school/program.

Scholarship assistance opportunities are not limited to graduating seniors, but are specific to the pursuit of technical or trades-related training which supports the construction industry.

It is the policy and commitment of the Stan & Thelma Plumlee Scholarship Fund not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status.

The Stan and Thelma Plumlee Scholarship Fund

Scholarships are awarded by the Tennessee Housing Association (THA), as an honor to the late Stan Plumlee, and are available to assist individuals who have the desire to pursue higher education.

Only completed applications RECEIVED by 4:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2024, will be considered.

Postmarked dates are not applicable in this process. THA does not accept phone calls or walk-in applications and no facsimiles will be accepted.

2024 Scholarship Requirements

2024 Scholarship Application

2024 Office/School Poster

Scholarship Criteria

Education and Training

Student must be pursuing a career in skilled trades and labor fields which support the construction industry. See the example lists provided below, along with the “Special Notation” for construction-related fields/positions not listed.

Building Trades

[Encompasses a variety of construction jobs:]

Carpentry
Electrical
Flooring Specialist
Heavy Equipment Operator
Insulation Specialist
Interior Design
Landscape
Painting
Plumbing
Pipe Fitter
Roofing Specialist
Transporter (Commercial Driver’s License)
Welder

Industrial Trades

Concrete
Ironworker
Metal Fabricator
Paving Equipment Operator
Pilot/Escort Drivers
Quality Control

Engineering (construction focus)

Architectural (Residential)
Civil
Electrical
Mechanical

Mechanical Trades

Automation
HVAC
Engines/Mechanics
Logistics
Machinist
Mechanical Drafter (example: CAD)

Special Notation:

If there is a field of training which supports the construction industry but is not listed above, discuss the specific construction-related training in which you intend to pursue a certification or degree, in the space provided on your scholarship application.

Educating our Youth

Honoring our leaders.

Stan and Thelma Plumlee Scholarship funds are awarded by the Tennessee Housing Association, as an honor to the late Stan Plumlee.

Mr. Plumlee was a pioneer of the factory-built industry. He was a man of upstanding character, tremendous compassion and dedication, an avid proponent of higher education, and a friend to all.

We honor his legacy to our industry, by continuing to further his desire to see deserving individuals have the opportunity of that higher education.