Trade school students can get many of the same types of financial aid as college students: federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study and student loans. The key is choosing a school that’s accredited and takes part in federal student aid, then filing the FAFSA.
This page gives an overview of each type of aid and the order to apply for it. Each section links to a detailed guide.
Recent changes (as of October 2026)
- Workforce Pell (from July 1, 2026) can cover short, state-approved training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, which regular Pell couldn’t. See Pell Grants for Trade Schools.
- Pell income limit. Students with a Student Aid Index of $14,790 or more can’t receive Pell for 2026-27.
- The 2027-28 FAFSA opened October 1, 2026. See the FAFSA guide.
- New loan rules. Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026 come with new repayment plans and new Parent PLUS caps. See Student Loans for Trade Schools.
What’s coming next
- Spring 2027: Many state grant deadlines for 2027-28.
- 2027-28 Pell amounts will be announced once Congress sets funding.
Pay for trade school in this order
- Grants: free money you don’t repay, mostly based on need
- Scholarships: free money based on need, merit, your trade or your background
- Work-study and employer help: earn money or have an employer pay for training
- Federal student loans: borrowed money with fixed rates and borrower protections
- Private loans: only for any gap that remains
Step 1: Make sure your school qualifies
Federal aid is only available at schools that are accredited and take part in federal student aid programs. Many state grants have the same rule. Before you enroll, search for the school on the Federal School Code Search and ask the admissions office which aid its programs qualify for.
Watch out: Some short or unaccredited programs can’t use federal aid at all. Workforce Pell is opening some short programs to Pell, but only after a state approves each program.
Step 2: File the FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the one application that unlocks federal grants, work-study and loans, and most state and school aid. It’s free and takes most people under an hour.
- 2027-28 FAFSA: opened October 1, 2026, for programs starting July 1, 2027 or later
- 2026-27 FAFSA: still open, for programs starting before July 1, 2027
- File early. State and school deadlines come well before the federal deadline.
Read the full FAFSA guide for trade schools.
Federal financial aid
| Type | What it is | Repay it? |
|---|---|---|
| Pell Grant | Up to $7,395 for 2026-27 for undergraduates with financial need | No |
| Workforce Pell Grant | Pell for state-approved programs of 8 to 15 weeks | No |
| FSEOG | Extra grant for students with exceptional need, at participating schools | No |
| Federal Work-Study | Part-time job earnings, at participating schools | No |
| Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans | Federal loans at 6.52% fixed for 2026-27 | Yes |
| Parent PLUS Loans | Loans to parents of dependent students, capped at $20,000 a year | Yes |
State financial aid
Every state has a student aid agency, and many offer grants that trade school students can use at eligible in-state schools. Examples include California’s Cal Grant and Chafee Grant, Washington College Grant, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, and the Michigan Reconnect program for adults. Most states use your FAFSA, but some, such as California and Texas, have separate forms for students who can’t file the FAFSA. Deadlines are often in the spring.
State student aid agencies
- Alabama: Alabama Commission on Higher Education
- Alaska: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
- Arizona: Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education
- Arkansas: Arkansas Division of Higher Education
- California: California Student Aid Commission
- Colorado: Colorado Department of Higher Education
- Connecticut: Connecticut Office of Higher Education
- Delaware: Delaware Department of Education, College Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Florida: Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance
- Georgia: Georgia Student Finance Commission
- Hawaii: University of Hawaii System Financial Aid
- Idaho: Idaho State Board of Education
- Illinois: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
- Indiana: Indiana Commission for Higher Education
- Iowa: Iowa College Student Aid Commission
- Kansas: Kansas Board of Regents
- Kentucky: Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
- Louisiana: Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
- Maine: Finance Authority of Maine
- Maryland: Maryland Higher Education Commission
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance
- Michigan: MI Student Aid
- Minnesota: Minnesota Office of Higher Education
- Mississippi: Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid
- Missouri: Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
- Montana: Montana University System
- Nebraska: Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
- Nevada: Nevada System of Higher Education
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation
- New Jersey: Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
- New Mexico: New Mexico Higher Education Department
- New York: Higher Education Services Corporation
- North Carolina: College Foundation of North Carolina
- North Dakota: North Dakota University System
- Ohio: Ohio Department of Higher Education
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
- Oregon: Oregon Student Aid
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
- South Carolina: South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
- South Dakota: South Dakota Board of Regents
- Tennessee: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
- Texas: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Utah: Utah System of Higher Education
- Vermont: Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
- Virginia: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
- Washington: Washington Student Achievement Council
- West Virginia: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
- Wisconsin: Higher Educational Aids Board
- Wyoming: Wyoming Community College Commission
Scholarships
Trade school scholarships come from schools, industry associations, unions, employers, community foundations and national programs. Many target specific trades such as welding, HVAC, automotive or construction. Unlike grants, many scholarships aren’t need-based, so apply even if your FAFSA shows little need. See Scholarships for Trade School and our Scholarship Directory.
Grants
Grants are the best kind of aid, because you don’t repay them. Besides federal Pell and FSEOG, look for state grants, grants from your school, and workforce grants. Your local American Job Center may be able to pay for training in in-demand fields through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). See Grants for Trade School.
Other ways to pay
- Employer tuition assistance and paid apprenticeships, where you earn while you learn
- GI Bill and VA benefits for veterans, which cover many approved trade and apprenticeship programs
- Payment plans offered by the school, to spread tuition over months without interest
Student loans
If you still have a gap, federal Direct Loans are the safest way to borrow. They don’t require a credit check, have fixed rates, and offer income-based repayment and forgiveness options. Turn to private loans only after you’ve used federal options. See Student Loans for Trade Schools and Student Loan Forgiveness.
New to financial aid terms? Our Financial Aid Glossary explains them.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get financial aid for trade school?
Yes. Accredited trade schools that take part in federal student aid accept Pell Grants, work-study and federal loans, and many offer state aid and scholarships too. File the FAFSA to apply.
How do I know if my trade school accepts financial aid?
Search for it on the Federal School Code Search at StudentAid.gov, and ask the school’s financial aid office which programs qualify.
Is federal financial aid free money?
Some of it. Grants and work-study don’t have to be repaid, but federal student loans do.
Can I get financial aid for a short trade program?
Programs of at least 600 clock hours can qualify for regular federal aid. Since July 1, 2026, Workforce Pell can also cover state-approved programs of 150 to 599 clock hours, which is 8 to 15 weeks.
Can I get financial aid for an online trade school?
Yes, if the school is accredited and takes part in federal aid. Some state grants are limited to in-state, in-person schools.
Can adults returning to school get financial aid?
Yes. There’s no age limit, and most adults file as independent students, so parents’ information isn’t needed. Many states also have adult programs such as Tennessee Reconnect and Michigan Reconnect.
Last reviewed: October 2026