The Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation is accepting applications for its Work Ethic Scholarship Program until May 9.

The foundation will award a total of $2.5 million in scholarships in 2025. To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria.

  • Be a high school senior, high school graduate, or have a GED equivalent.
  • Plan to complete an approved trade program, such as farriery, after Dec. 1, 2025.
  • Be enrolled or plan to enroll in an approved trade program at an accredited 2-year college, vocational, or technical school, or other approved technical institute in the United States. Four-year degrees or bachelor's programs are not eligible.

The application process includes the following tasks that must be completed.

  • Enroll in an approved program, such as a farrier school.
  • Sign the S.W.E.A.T. – “Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo” – Pledge.
  • Answer 4 questions about the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.
  • Make a video in which applicants answer a specific question and show who they are in 60 seconds or less.
  • Submit two references from a boss, supervisor, teacher or someone you have reported to.
  • Verify your school costs.
  • Provide a high school or college transcript.
  • Submit your most recent 1040 tax form.

“We offer Work Ethic Scholarships because, frankly, I don’t think anybody else is,” Mike Rowe says. “We wanted to do something that would at least bring the conversation of work ethic into the mix. We ask our recipients to jump through some hoops. We ask them to make videos, and write essays, and submit references. We ask them to sign a S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.”

Several farrier students have been recipients of the scholarship including Bryanna Solmonson of Lexington, Mo., who graduated from Heartland Horseshoeing School; Hope Richardson of Berea, Ky., Emily Robinson of Nicholson, Pa., Dillon Johnson of Nancy, Ky., and Annabelle Orlowski of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, all graduates of Kentucky Horseshoeing School. Two additional farriers awarded scholarships include Emerie and Dawson, who were highlighted on the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Facebook page.

Learn more about the Mike Rowe WORKS Scholarship Program here and apply here.