Concord, N.H. (November 10, 2025) – November is National Scholarship Month and students in trades programs at the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) will be rocking out thanks to local support from the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) that includes a $50,000 grant from the band’s All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH). The non-profit philanthropic organization was created in 2017 by the members and management of Metallica that is dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger and other critical local services. For the second year in a row, CCSNH is recognized as the only institution in the Granite State to receive funding which will expand access to skilled trades programs across New Hampshire’s seven community colleges, helping students gain the education and tools they need to succeed in high-demand industries.
In New Hampshire, The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges is administering the grant that awards financial assistance to students to offset the cost of specialized equipment, materials, protective gear, or other degree-specific equipment.
“Skilled trades programs offer exceptional opportunities for students to enter and advance in fields that are vital to our economy,” said Shannon Reid, CCSNH’s Director of Government Affairs and Communications. “We’re thrilled to support nearly 90 students this fall with scholarships for specialized equipment required for programs in Aviation Technology, Massage Therapy, Culinary Arts and Welding.”
Through its more than 200 degree and certificate programs and ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce program of CCSNH, New Hampshire’s community colleges play a lead role in encouraging, educating and training individuals to fill key skilled trade positions across the Granite State.
“I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars,” said Robert Trujillo, a member of Metallica. “We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to see our Foundation’s efforts making a positive impact and helping hardworking people pursue careers in the trades.”
AWMH recently announced the seventh year of its MSI, with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3 million. MSI now operates in 75 colleges across all 50 states and Guam and is expected to approximately 10,000 students.
“This support has made a significant impact on my ability to buy my next semester’s books, and I am honored to be chosen by a program that is backed by such a legendary band that has shaped the world of music, and now my education. Your commitment to education and career training is truly inspiring, as it’s so rare to see such a massive band team up with a foundation to help out hundreds, if not thousands, of college students like myself,” said Anthony DeBlois, grant recipient at Lakes Region Community College.
Launched in 2019 by AWMH in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, MSI started with 10 colleges mainly focused on manufacturing programs. The workforce initiative has since grown to include opportunities in various fields for students seeking the skills and training needed to build meaningful careers that offer family-sustaining wages.
For a complete list of all 75 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.
About CCSNH
The Community College System of NH consists of seven colleges, offering associate degree and certificate programs, professional training, transfer pathways to four-year degrees, and dual-credit partnerships with NH high schools. The System’s colleges are Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth; Lakes Region Community College in Laconia; Manchester Community College; Nashua Community College; NHTI – Concord’s Community College; River Valley Community College in Claremont, Lebanon and Keene; and White Mountains Community College in Berlin and Littleton. CCSNH serves more than 25,000 students across the state providing affordable access to a high-quality education and economic opportunity. For more information, visit CCSNH.edu.
About All Within My Hands
All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. To date, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have granted over $25M— providing $13.5M in grants to career and technical education programs, over $7.5M to combat food insecurity, and more than $5M to disaster relief efforts. To learn more about All Within My Hands, visit and follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About American Association of Community Colleges
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.https://www.aacc.nche.edu/.
Photo: Lakes Region Community College student, Anthony DeBlois, was the recipient of Metallica Scholars Initiative funds. (Photo courtesy of Anthony DeBlois)
