WATERTOWN, SD -- The Tower Family Foundation expanded its scholarship program in 2024, enhancing eligibility criteria to support more students through merit‑based awards. The application period to apply for scholarships for the Fall 2026 semester is officially open through May 31, 2026.

The Tower Family Foundation scholarship is open to the broader NATE community by offering a limited number of merit-based scholarships that will be available annually to the Association’s member company employees and their eligible dependents. Scholarship recipients are selected through a comprehensive review process based on academic achievement and responses to written essay questions.

In alignment with the Foundation’s core mission, need-based scholarships are offered to support individuals who have been severely injured or permanently disabled in the tower industry. In addition, legal dependents of workers who have lost their lives or become permanently disabled as a result of work‑related incidents are eligible to apply. These scholarships aim to provide a crucial financial bridge during the transition to higher education, alleviating the financial burdens that often arise in the aftermath of an accident or permanent disability.

“The Tower Family Foundation scholarship program exists to open doors, whether by recognizing academic achievement or by supporting families facing exceptional hardship,” said Patrick Murphy, Tower Family Foundation Scholarship Committee Chairman. “Our goal is to help students pursue higher education while honoring the resilience and contributions of the tower industry community.”

Tower Family Foundation scholarships are valued at up to $5,000 per year for full‑time students enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours and up to $2,500 per year for part‑time students carrying at least 6 semester hours. Scholarships may be renewed annually, provided eligibility requirements are met, for up to four years for full‑time students and up to six years for part‑time students.

Students interested in applying for a Tower Family Foundation Scholarship are encouraged to review the guidelines and complete the official application.

Since its inception in 2014, the Tower Family Foundation has awarded over $2.9 million in donations and scholarships to eligible tower workers and their families. To learn more about the Tower Family Foundation or to make an online contribution, visit towerfamilyfoundation.org.