Edison International Lineworker Scholarship Program
A scholarship program for students pursuing the Powerline Mechanic Certificate Program at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.
Edison International Lineworker Scholarship Program
Edison International and Southern California Edison launched the Lineworkers Scholarship program in 2021, in partnership with IBEW Local 47, to develop the next generation of skilled trade workers – an exciting career path that embodies our values of safety, innovation and serving our communities.
The program provides scholarships up to $25,000 per recipient and is funded by Edison International shareholders and IBEW Local 47. The program covers the cost of tuition, tools and support services needed to complete required training at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.
Graduates are eligible for an entry-level skilled trade position at SCE once they successfully complete the Powerline Mechanic Certificate program, obtain a Class A driver’s license and complete all SCE pre-employment requirements.
If you have questions, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.
The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants to the Edison International Lineworker Scholarship Program must:
- Demonstrate financial need
- Enroll at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College for fall 2026
- Enroll in the required prerequisite courses for fall 2026 and Powerline Mechanic Certificate Program for spring 2027
- Have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent
- Be eligible to work in the United States
- Possess a valid driver’s license and must be eligible to obtain a Class A license (must be at least 18 years of age)
Preference will be given to California residents.
*If you are currently enrolled or have completed the Powerline Mechanic Certificate Program you are NOT eligible to apply to this program.
Awards
Up to 12 students will be selected to be recipients.
Awards are one-time only and must be used for the following costs associated with the Power Line Mechanic Certificate Program at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College:
- Tuition
- Books
- Required equipment
- Supportive services (housing, transportation, childcare, etc.)
- Class A license driving program fees
- Other required fees/costs related to the program
Recipients may also receive additional support and mentorship from Edison International during and after completing the program at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.
Award recipients will be eligible for an entry-level skilled trade position at SCE upon completing the Powerline Mechanic Certificate program, a Class A license program and any SCE pre-employment requirements. All jobs will be located within SCE’s 50,000-square-mile service area and may require relocation.
Scholars have up to two years after the completion of the Powerline Mechanic certificate program (starting the following August) to secure direct job placement upon successfully completing all SCE hiring requirements. After this period, applications will be treated the same as those from the general public.
No further financial or support services will be provided to recipients who fail to participate or graduate from the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College program.
Selection of Recipients
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:
- Demonstrated financial need
- Demonstrated leadership and participation in community activities
- Work experience
- Responses to the following short essay topics:
- Why do you want to be a lineworker?
- At SCE, safety is our top priority. We are committed to strengthening our safety culture to achieve an injury-free workplace. Tell us about what precautions you take at work, school or home to remain safe.
- Integrity is an important value at SCE. Describe a situation when you made a mistake at work or school. What did you learn from the situation?
- At SCE, we foster a work culture of respect. Provide an example of when you recognized the ideas and contributions of your coworkers or fellow students.
Preference will be given to in-state California residents.
Selection of finalists is made by Scholarship America. Edison International’s selection committee will select recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
Notification
All applicants will be notified in late June.
Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.
Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address as safe senders in your email contact list.
Payment of Scholarships
Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Edison International for tuition to the academic institution in late July.
The remaining balance of the scholarship will be paid to the recipient by funding requests via Brotherhood Crusade over the course of one year from the start of the program. Scholars may access up to $10,000 during the first semester and the remaining balance during the second semester of the program.
Requirements
As part of your application, you must upload the following:
- Please upload a resume that includes all work experience from your past.
If you have taken previous courses at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and/or a Southern California Edison accepted institution, please upload that transcript as well.
Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Being an electrical lineworker is a rewarding career. On any given day, a lineworker may climb poles, operate aerial lift devices to work on overhead lines 25 to 200 feet above the ground, work on a substation or dig trenches to string underground electric cables. This isn’t your 9-to-5 desk job — a career as a lineworker takes your work outdoors in all kinds of weather. Severe weather or accidents can knock out power to a community and lineworkers may be needed at any hour to restore power.
Edison International offers a scholarship for the Powerline Mechanic Certificate at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC). The scholarship covers LATTC prerequisite fees, the costs of the certificate and tools needed for the climbing portion of the program. In addition to tuition and tools, the scholarship will cover support services as needed, such as housing, transportation and childcare.
All accepted applicants to the Powerline Mechanic Certificate Program at LATTC are eligible to apply for and compete for an Edison International Lineworker scholarship. Applicants must hold a valid driver’s license, be eligible to obtain a Class A driver’s license (must be at least 18 years of age), possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and must be eligible to work in the U.S. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to California residents. The program is about a 12-month commitment.
Applicants with felonies or drug offenses on their record need not apply. Southern California Edison requires a rigorous employee background check upon hiring.
Acceptable use of scholarship funds, including those provided by IBEW Local 47, covers tuition, books, equipment, commercial trucking school fees and/or other costs related to the Powerline Mechanic Certificate program at LATTC. Support services for housing, transportation, childcare and general support will be determined on a case-by-case basis, with each student’s needs individually evaluated by the program administrator. All designated funds will be provided to the academic institution and service providers on behalf of the awardees. Scholars have up to one year to access their scholarship funds, from Aug. 1 to July 31 of the following year. Scholars may access up to $10,000 during the first semester (including tuition, tools and driver’s education) and the remaining balance during the second semester of the program.
Yes, graduates will be eligible for an entry-level skilled trade position at SCE upon completing the Powerline Mechanic Certificate program, a Class A license program and any
SCE pre-employment requirements. All jobs will be located within SCE’s 50,000-square-mile service area and may require relocation. Scholars have up to two years after the completion
of the Powerline Mechanic Certificate program (starting the following August) to secure direct job placement upon successfully completing all SCE hiring requirements. This allows for multiple attempts at the hiring tests if they are not passed on the first try. After this period, applications will be treated the same as those from the general public.
Scholarships will be awarded based on the answers submitted in the online application. Scholarship America, a reputable nonprofit organization that administers scholarships nationwide, will review applications and select the scholarship recipients. Scholarship America uses Suggested Parent Contribution (SPC) to determine financial need by estimating a family’s expected contribution to education costs, similar to the calculation used in federal financial aid applications.
Awardees will be notified in June and are invited to an in-person awards ceremony at LATTC in July.
