Scholarship
2025-26

DCA-Dale R. Michels Endowed Scholarship

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now being accepted. The application deadline is Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Apply

Accredited College or University Scholarship
In 1998, the Association established an endowed scholarship of $5,000 to encourage students to pursue careers in construction. This scholarship, named the DCA-Dale R. Michels Endowed Scholarship in honor of Honorary Member Dale R. Michels, was initially funded by an endowment of $100,000 derived from the proceeds of DCA’s Annual Auction. Michels Corporation and other contributors made significant contributions to the fund. Over time, the amount disbursed has grown and is currently based on a percentage of the association’s auction and investment income proceeds, with an estimated minimum value of $100,000.

The DCA – Dale R. Michels Scholarship is intended for students seeking a four-year or post-graduate degree and encourages them to apply. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic and community achievements, college entry test scores, financial need, a letter of recommendation, and responses to three brief essay questions. Priority consideration is given to candidates pursuing a degree related to construction.


DCA-Dale R. Michels Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

  • You must be a current DCA member company member employee and/or spouse, child, or stepchild of an employee.
  • Be a high school senior, high school graduate, or have a GED equivalent.
  • Be planning to pursue a four-year degree, bachelor, or post-graduate degree.
  • Maintain a 2.0 overall grade point average (GPA) for those receiving a scholarship that is granted for more than 1 year.
  • Enrollment/Class requirements: University/4-year College Scholarship must be full-time student (min. 12 credit hours per academic semester)

Application Requirements:

  • Complete the scholarship application form by clicking here.
  • Upload or mail an official or unofficial copy of your most recent high school or college/university transcripts by the scholarship deadline.
  • Answer the 3 short answer questions on the application.
  • Upload a letter of recommendation from a non-relative teacher, employer, coach, etc.
  • Spelling and grammar are important and will be considered in the review/rating process.
  • Incomplete application packages will NOT be considered.


To apply for the DCA-Dale R. Michels Scholarship, click here.

If you have any questions, please contact Teri Korson at tkorson@dcaweb.org or (972) 680-0261, ext. 2.

Curtis H. Allen Scholarship

Applications for the 2025-26 academic year are now being accepted. The application deadline is Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Apply

Trade, Technical or Vocational School Scholarship

The scholarship named after Curtis H. Allen is geared towards individuals who intend to pursue education in trade, technical, or vocational schools. Bentonite Performance Minerals (BPM) established the scholarship in honor of Curtis H. Allen and contributes $2,500 annually to the fund, matched by the Distribution Contractors Association. The scholarship amount given to deserving students will be determined by a portion of the association’s auction and investment income proceeds, with a minimum estimate of $30,000. The DCA – Curtis H. Allen Scholarship is dedicated to promoting education in trade, technical, or vocational schools.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • You must be a current DCA member company member employee and/or spouse, child, or stepchild of an employee.
  • Be a high school senior, high school graduate or have a GED equivalent.
  • Be enrolled or plan to enroll in an approved trade program at an accredited two-year college, vocational, or technical school, or other approved technical institute in the United States. This scholarship is intended for those pursuing the trades; four-year degree or bachelor programs should not apply.

 

Application Requirements:

  • Complete the Curtis Allen Scholarship Application Form clicking here.
  • Upload or mail an official or unofficial copy of your most recent high school, GED, or two-year college, vocational, or technical school transcripts by the scholarship deadline.
  • Answer the 3 short answer questions on the application.
  • Spelling and grammar are important and will be considered in the review/rating process.
  • Incomplete application packages will NOT be considered.

 

To apply for the DCA-Curtis Allen Scholarship, click here. Applications are accepted for the DCA member, spouse, and child/stepchild.

If you have any questions, please contact Teri Korson at tkorson@dcaweb.org or (972) 680-0261, ext. 2.

James R. Upton Scholarship

In honor of the late James R. Upton, former Managing Director of DCA, the DCA Board of Directors has approved an annual scholarship fund of $3,000 for five years. The fund is established to provide scholarship opportunities for students of the Cherokee Nation located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Two eligible Sequoyah High School graduates will be selected by the Cherokee Nation, following their own set of criteria, and awarded with scholarships every year.

DCA-Lyons’ Grant Program

Bob Lyons, a deceased past president and honorary member, was well-known for his dedication to the community, education, charity, and the DCA. He played a key role in founding the DCA Annual Auction in 1991, raising over two million dollars to date for the scholarship program, DCA Safety Congress, and association office/staff. In an effort to carry on Bob’s legacy, his widow, Jan Lyons, a strong supporter of DCA, pledged $25,000 for five years from the Lyons Family Foundation. The grants aim to recognize community leaders who make significant contributions to their communities and to help fund their missions. While there are no specific requirements for this grant, Bob envisioned providing resources to those with a strong sense of community and a desire to give back. The grants will be modest and directed towards individuals or organizations not receiving significant aid from government or large charities. Bob believed in the importance of giving back and helping those in need. Please note, this is NOT a student grant.

Click here for the Lyons’ Family Foundation Grant Application