AACC is partnering with Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, on the Metallica Scholars Initiative. This national effort will continue to promote and showcase career and technical education as a pathway to well-paying jobs.
AACC and AWMH believe this is a uniquely positioned effort that will:
- Support relevant skill training for community college students.
- Reinvest in the communities that supported Metallica by connecting students to skill-building opportunities that bridge the talent needs of employers using the community college system.
- Leverage the influence of the leadership of Metallica to elevate the importance and dignity of career and technical education.
AACC has concluded its acceptance of proposals to select up to 15 member colleges for Cohort 8. The period of performance will be July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. To find out more, please click here for RFP Instructions.
- The RFP opened on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 9 am ET
- The RFP closed on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 5 pm ET
- Final selections announced by early June 2026
Have questions? Download the FAQ.
“The fact that you’re working, trying to work, trying to find the path that works best for you – that should be the ultimate goal and most respected thing. So, putting the options out there for people: trade schools, community colleges, even [helping provide] gas money to get to and from school – there are many things you can help with.”
– James Hetfield, Vocalist/Guitarist, Metallica.
Background Information
The Metallica Scholars Initiative began in 2019. AACC partnered with AWMH to support student accessibility through scholarships for tuition offset, student safety gear and learning materials, etc. Building upon their success, AACC and AWMH partnered several times over the last seven years to expand the number of colleges participating in Metallica Scholars Initiative including 75 colleges across all 50 states and Guam. Have questions? Download the FAQ.
Keep up to date on the Metallica Scholars Initiative by following AACC’s Community College Daily and social media, and All Within My Hands for updated stories.