Financial Aid For Trade School - Requirements & Eligibility 2025

Trade schools, also called vocational schools or career schools, prepare students for specific career paths like cosmetology, HVAC, plumbing, and welding. While they're usually less expensive than four-year degree programs, they can still cost a good amount that students can't directly pay out of pocket.

That's why most students apply for financial aid for trade school. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to finding financial aid for your trade or vocational program. Keep reading to learn more about FAFSA for trade school.

Does FAFSA Cover Trade School?

You are able to use FAFSA for trade school if it is accredited and has a federal financial aid code. Almost all accredited trade schools accept financial aid through FAFSA.

There are many different types of trade schools, including cosmetology schools, welding schools, plumbing schools, and nursing schools. As long as the school accepts federal aid, you can use FAFSA to determine your eligibility for programs that can help cover your costs.

Some of the best trade schools that accept federal student aid programs include:

• Johnson College in Scranton, PA: About 61% of students here receive federal grants and 95% are awarded federal student loans.
• Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC: Nearly 56% of students receive federal grants and 15% receive federal student loans.
• North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND: About 29% of students are awarded federal grants, and 64% qualify for federal student loans.
• Rosedale Technical College in Pittsburgh, PA: Of the students enrolled, 66% receive federal grants and 82% receive federal loans.

Many state and institutional aid programs also require students to fill out the FAFSA to qualify for financial assistance.

How To Get Financial Aid for Trade School

Securing financial aid for vocational school or technical school isn't all that different from securing financial aid for four-year colleges. We've provided a step-by-step guide below.

Step 1: Fill Out the FAFSA

The first step to getting financial aid for trade school is to fill out the FAFSA. It takes about 30 minutes for most people to complete the FAFSA form. If you have all the required information, the application process is pretty simple.

You'll start by creating a username and password through FAFSA.gov, then you'll need to fill out the form with information such as:

• date of birth and Social Security number
• date of birth and Social Security numbers for parents (if you're a dependent) or your spouse (if you're married)
• income and asset information
• school codes

The school codes indicate these FAFSA-approved trade schools. You can usually find this on the college's financial aid website.

Once you submit your FAFSA application, you can check the status through your FAFSA account. The Department of Education will process your application to determine your financial need and how much the federal government can offer you.

Step 2: Apply for Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are types of financial aid that you don't need to repay. The more grants and scholarships you qualify for, the less you have to pay out of pocket or with student loans.

Some grants and scholarships don't require a separate application; you just need to fill out the FAFSA. The Federal Pell Grant, for example, does not require a separate application.

Many institutional scholarships don't require a separate application either. Once the school receives your FAFSA information, it determines if you qualify for any of the financial aid programs available. However, most private and independent scholarships require a separate application.

Step 3: Consider Federal and Private Student Loans

If you're unable to obtain grants and scholarships to cover all your tuition, federal and private student loans can help you make up the difference. You must pay back whatever you take out in loans, but most loans do not require you to start making payments until after you graduate.

Federal loans include direct loans for both students and parents. Interest rates for federal loans are usually much lower than those of private lenders.

Private lenders can offer loans with larger sums than federal loans, and will sometimes offer aid for educational programs that don't meet the federal government's accreditation standards. Popular private lenders include Sallie Mae, SoFi, and Citizens Bank.

Step 4: Look for Employer-Sponsored Tuition Assistance Programs

Many companies across the U.S. offer tuition assistance programs to eligible student employees. These include:

• Amazon
• Lowe's
• McDonald's
• Target

Some employers only cover specific majors, so check with your employer before enrolling.

Can You Get a Pell Grant for Trade School?

Eligible students can use Pell Grants for technical schools and trade schools. Pell Grants are federal grants offered to undergraduate students with the greatest financial need.

The amount you receive from your Pell Grant depends on numerous factors, but the maximum amount is currently $7,395 per year. You can receive the Federal Pell Grant for a maximum of 12 full-time terms.

There is no special application for the Pell Grant. Your eligibility will be determined when you fill out the FAFSA, and if you qualify, the amount will be listed in your award letter.

Many states also offer scholarships and grants for trade schools � some grants can be used for any undergraduate program. These include:

• Alaska: Alaska Education Grant
• California: California College Promise Grant and the CalGrant
• Connecticut: Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT)
• Hawai'i: Hawai'i Promise Scholarship
• Idaho: Idaho Launch
• Iowa: Future Ready Iowa
• Kansas: Kansas Promise Act Scholarship
• Kentucky: Work Ready Scholarship Program
• Louisiana: M.J. Foster Promise Program
• Maine: Free College Scholarship
• Maryland: Community College Promise Scholarship
• Massachusetts: MassEducate
• Michigan: Michigan Reconnect
• Minnesota: North Star Promise
• Mississippi: Higher Education Legislative Plan
• Nevada: Nevada Promise Scholarship
• New York: Excelsior Scholarship
• Oklahoma: Oklahoma's Promise
• Oregon: Oregon Promise Grant
• Tennessee: Tennessee Promise
• Washington: Washington College Grant
• West Virginia: WV Invests Grant'

Most of these programs are based on financial need, and some have specific school or field of study requirements.

How Much Financial Aid Can You Get for Trade School?

The amount of financial aid you can get for trade school depends on several different factors, including:

• program cost
• federal or state aid you qualify for
• private scholarships or grants you qualify for
• student loans you select
• other financial aid options (e.g., work-study programs)

Some programs, like last-dollar scholarships, cap the amount you can receive based on the amount of your program. So, if your tuition is $2,000 per year, you can't receive more than that amount in financial aid. However, many loans will offer to go above your tuition costs to help pay for housing or supplies.

Student Loans for Trade School

Most students try to avoid student loans, but sometimes that's not possible. Student loans for technical schools are available to help students pay their remaining tuition after other financial aid has been applied.

As mentioned, federal loans usually have a lower interest rate than private loans; however, the amount you can receive in federal loans is limited to what you qualify for through FAFSA.

If you choose to take out student loans for vocational school, pay attention to the repayment terms. Many loan providers offer loan forbearance, meaning you won't have to start repaying until a certain amount of time after you graduate. Many also offer income-driven repayment plans.

Can You Get Scholarships for Trade School?

Often, scholarships are based on where you live or your field of study. When looking for scholarships for technical schools, start by looking at scholarships and grants offered by your college or your state, like those listed above.

There are many private scholarships for vocational schools as well. Some examples of trade school scholarship programs include:

• Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships
• American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Scholarships
• AmericanMuscle Automotive Scholarships
• L'Or�al Professionnel ''Inspiration through Education'' Cosmetology Student Scholarship
• Pureland Supply Vocational and Skilled Trade Scholarship

Contact your school's financial aid office or visit the scholarship finder at the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop website to find more scholarship opportunities to help you pay for trade school.

FAQs About Financial Aid for Trade School

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions to help you navigate financial aid for trade school.

How Much Does Trade School Cost?

The overall cost of trade school will depend on the school, the type of program you're enrolled in, and what financial aid you qualify for. On average, public two-year colleges in the U.S. cost $3,598 per year, and private, non-profit colleges cost $20,019.

This is significantly less than the price for four-year colleges. On average, public four-year college for in-state students is $9,750 per year, and private, nonprofit four-year colleges cost $38,421 per year.

Are Trade Schools Free?

In general, trade schools are not free. However, with the right financial aid options, your tuition could be completely covered. This is why it's so important to fill out the FAFSA.

Do Trade Schools Pay You?

While trade schools don't really pay students, some offer apprenticeship programs with paid training opportunities. This training often comes from the company where you're doing your apprenticeship, and it can be a great opportunity for trade school students.

Additionally, you can look for trade schools with employer-sponsored tuition and stipend programs. These programs are paid for by certain employers to help employees complete their education.

Find the Right Trade Program

Find the perfect trade school program for you by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual trade schools to learn more about the cost of tuition and financial aid options.