How to pay for trade school: A guide to getting funding
More people are choosing trade school instead of a four-year college. Skilled workers are in demand, and many prefer shorter training programs. While trade schools may not cost as much as a four-year college experience, they can still be expensive. According to Edvisors, the average total cost of trade school is around $15,000 . If you’re wondering how to cover the cost, you’re not alone. Just like with college, there are options to help you pay in the form of financial aid, scholarships, grants, and even fundraising.
Understanding the costs associated with trade school
The cost of trade school programs varies based on the school you choose, your trade, and the length of the program. Programs can range from less than $5,000 to over $25,000 per year, depending on the certificate you’re working toward.
The length of the program is the first thing to consider. Some certificates can take as little as three months to complete. These are usually intensive courses designed for highly skilled trades like IT support, medical billing, or HVAC. Other certificates can take up to two years. These are common for dental assisting, cybersecurity, and construction technology. Shorter programs will, of course, cost less—you can even find some for $2,000. Two-year programs cost, on average, around $15,000.
The vocational skill you’re studying is another factor. Popular trades such as medical technology, vehicle repair, and culinary arts require specialized equipment, which can increase the price of the program. Other popular trades, such as medical billing, truck driving, and cosmetology, may cost less since they don’t require as much equipment.
There are a few other factors that affect the cost of trade school programs:
- Whether you choose a public or private trade school
- Whether you live at home or on campus
- In-state vs. out-of-state tuition rates
Eight ways to pay for trade school
There are plenty of ways to get help to pay for trade school. Much like with traditional colleges, financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available, or you can consider private student loans. Apprenticeships offer another form of aid, where you can get paid while doing your training. Some nonprofits also offer support, or you can crowdfund with an education fundraiser on GoFundMe.
1. FAFSA for trade school
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form you fill out to receive financial aid for education, whether it’s college or a trade school, from the federal government. File the FAFSA in order to learn if you qualify for these types of aid:
- Federal loans: Must be repaid, typically with lower interest rates than private loans.
- Pell Grants: Offered up to a specified amount per school year, don’t need to be repaid.
- State aid: Some states offer specific grants for vocational programs.
- Work-study programs: Offer part-time job opportunities to students so they can earn money for school expenses.
To be eligible to receive financial aid from the government, your chosen institution must be accredited and participate in federal aid programs. Check with the US Department of Education to see if your school is eligible. You will also need your Social Security Number, tax information, and your parents’ financial information if you’re considered a dependent.
2. Scholarships
You can also apply for scholarships that don’t need to be repaid. Your trade school may offer specific scholarships, and there are also some national and regional ones available to anyone eligible.
Some national scholarships include the following:
- Women Rock Trades Scholarship: Awarded by The Hourglass Foundation to women enrolling in auto, engineering tech, or other skilled trade programs in the amount of $2,500.
- SkillPointe Foundation scholarships: Awards $1,000 to students studying high-demand skills by partnering with various organizations, such as The Home Depot.
- Horatio Alger scholarships: Provides multiple scholarships of various amounts for those pursuing post-secondary technical education.
- Ford Auto Tech Scholarship: Awards $5,000 to students pursuing certificates in the auto industry.
Depending on where you live or where you’re going to school, you may also be eligible for regional scholarships. New Yorkers, for example, have access to the NYHA scholarship supporting construction and manufacturing students, while those in Illinois can benefit from the Illinois AMVETS scholarship.
Browse the FastWeb database to find more scholarships.
3. Apprenticeships
Some schools and fields of study may offer apprenticeships. These are, perhaps, one of the best ways to pay for trade school in that they offer specialized classroom training combined with hands-on work experience in the form of a paid job. Apprenticeships are common for trades like engineering, construction, electrical work, plumbing, accounting, and others.
Not only will you be earning money while you study, but you’ll also be gaining valuable work experience that you can put on your resume. In some cases, apprenticeships may lead directly into full-time job opportunities at the company you’re already working with.
Check with your school for apprenticeship opportunities, or check Apprenticeship USA.
4. Private student loans
If federal loans aren’t enough, you can also apply for private student loans. These credit-based loans are typically offered by banks or credit unions, but they typically come with higher interest rates. Your eligibility for private loans is determined by your credit score and financial history. In some cases, you may need a cosigner with good credit to get a private loan.
If you decide to pursue private student loans, the next step is to find the right lender. There are resources you can use to compare loans and interest rates, like this loan overview from NerdWallet.
While helpful in some scenarios, it’s best to do your research before diving into private student loans, as they offer fewer protections and less flexibility than federal loans.
5. Trade school grants
You may also be eligible for trade school grants, which do not have to be repaid. If you file the FAFSA, for example, you may find you’re eligible for the Pell Grant. For the 2025–2026 school year, the Pell Grant offered needs-based financial aid, ranging from $740 to $7,395. The amount varies by year. The government also offers the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and the TEACH Grant.
You may also find skills training grants through the Department of Labor, or state-specific grants like the Cal Grant for California residents pursuing technical training. Some private organizations also offer vocation-specific grants; for example, the Oil and Energy Service Professionals offer an HVAC grant.
6. Employer training programs
Similar to apprenticeships, employer training programs offer structured learning that combines both classroom instruction and hands-on, paid experience in the workforce. These partnerships between schools and companies benefit students who are seeking fast, targeted entry into their chosen field.
NYC’s Apex Technical School, for example, offers hands-on education in fields like construction, welding, electrical, and auto trades. There are programs like this available across the country—check with Apprenticeships USA or with your state’s Department of Labor.
7. Nonprofits that help with trade school
There are plenty of nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing financial support for students in the form of scholarships, grants, and other resources. Consider these well-known nonprofits offering support for trade school students:
- Trades Workforce Foundation: Provides grants, scholarships, and academic resources like training equipment to reduce student debt and out-of-pocket expenses.
- The Home Depot Foundation: The Path to Pro program offers free virtual training and entry-level certificates as well as a networking platform and partnerships with scholarship foundations.
- TechForce Foundation: Provides networking opportunities, scholarships, and other funding to students pursuing technical certifications.
- Grace Institute: Offers tuition-free specialized training for women in technology and administrative fields in New York City.
- Job Corps: Federally funded program that offers free tuition, meals, and housing for those training for construction and manufacturing careers.
To find more organizations like these, ask your school directly or check with industry-specific associations related to your career field.
8. Crowdfunding for trade school costs
Finally, reach out to your community for support by starting an education fundraiser. Crowdfunding has helped many people reach their financial goals and pay for their education. Crowdfunding with GoFundMe allows you to withdraw your funds on your own time and use them for education-related expenses. Whether you’re paying for books, equipment, tuition, housing, or something else, these funds can help offset the cost of trade school.
Six tips for crowdfunding for trade school
If you decide to set up a GoFundMe, here are some of our top tips to increase trust among your supporters and attract more donations to help meet your goals:
- Be transparent: Set a realistic financial goal and be honest and specific about how you plan to use the funds.
- Be specific: Include the details of your trade school program, your chosen field of study, and the career you’d like to pursue in your story.
- Use photos: Fundraising pages with at least five photos attract more visibility and therefore more support. Images and photos will increase your emotional connection with your audience.
- Leverage social media: Post your fundraiser regularly on your own social media, and ask your family and close friends to post on theirs, so you can widen your reach.
- Update your supporters: Post regular updates so your supporters can see their impact in real time.
- Thank your supporters: Make sure your supporters feel included in your educational journey by sending them a personalized thank-you note.
Get help paying for trade school today
The costs of attending a trade school can be daunting, but there are many ways to get financial support. You can apply for federal aid, scholarships and grants, private loans, apprenticeships, and employer training programs.
You can also reach out to your community for support by crowdfunding for a trade school. Setting up a GoFundMe is easy. Share your fundraiser with close friends and family, and ask them to share on your behalf. GoFundMe has helped many students get the education they need to pursue their desired careers.