Good NestingBut are there grants for tech or trade school too? There sure are, and we’ll show you different ways to get them.
Many people prefer going to technical school instead of taking the traditional college route. What keeps some from going to tech school? They think that it involves a lot of out-of-pocket costs, which isn’t the case as long as you get grants and scholarships to help fund your studies. We’ll reveal how to do just that in this guide.
The Purpose Of Technical School
A tech or trade school differs from traditional college since it offers more direct and specialized training. Instead of putting you down a path that involves plenty of general studies curriculum, tech school has you focus more on your career. This offers two benefits. First, you can finish tech or trade school quicker than a four-year college. And second, you may find it easier to find direct employment in your field of choice after graduating from tech school.
What types of students go to tech school? Those that want to work in the following fields:
- Chef
- Electrician
- Cosmetologist
- Plumber
- Nurse
- Welder
- Paralegal
- Massage therapist
- HVAC technician
- Mechanic
- Pharmacy technician
Are those the only jobs you can get out of trade school? No, but as you can see, that sampling shows some solid careers that offer excellent earning potential.
How To Find Funding For Tech Or Trade School
When looking for ways to pay for trade school, grants and scholarships are better than loans, as you won’t have to pay them back. A grant is usually need-based and looks at your income or any possible hardships, while a scholarship tends to be merit-based and looks at your grades, extracurricular activities, and more.
You can find grants and scholarships by searching in a specific order. First, you should seek school funding at the federal government level, which you can do by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It can show the government and schools your financial need, opening you up to grants like the Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
Second, you should see what your state has to offer in terms of grants and scholarships. You can do this by clicking here and choosing your state from the drop-down menu.
Lastly, you can look for tech school grants and scholarships from trade organizations and unions. For example, the PHCC Educational Foundation offers up to 61 scholarships for students looking to work in the heating, cooling, or plumbing industries. With those 61 scholarships totaling over $161,000, you could get significant funding for your tech school studies by filling out a single application.
To find such scholarships or awards in your field of study, head to Google and do a search. By filling out your FAFSA, contacting your state office, and seeing what field-specific grants and scholarships are out there, you can attend tech or trade school without any out-of-pocket expenses.
