You don’t have to go to a college or university to qualify for grants and scholarships, as they exist for tech and trade schools too. What’s the catch? There is none, as the program simply needs to be accredited so you can apply for and hopefully get that free cash.
Whether you’re looking to become a plumber or paralegal, massage therapist or mechanic, or a computer technician or cosmetologist, here are some tips on how to get grants and scholarships towards that goal.
Where To Find Grants and Scholarships for Tech School
If you’ve looked for grants and scholarships for a traditional college in the past, you’ll be glad to know that the process is similar for tech school.
As far as grants go, the best place to start looking is with the federal government. To do so, you’ll need to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since grants tend to be need-based, this form determines whether you’re eligible for free money from the federal government. It analyzes your financial need, and if you make the cut, you could get a Pell Grant, which offers over $6,000 per year towards schooling and other federal grants.
If you’re serious about going to trade school soon, you’ll want to complete your FAFSA now. Not only does it determine eligibility for federal grants, but it also shows your financial need to states, which are the next source of free money. You can find education grants from your state by going here.
After you see how much free money the federal government and your state have to give, your next stop is the school you’re planning to attend. Contact their financial aid office to see what they have available in the form of grants and scholarships. For instance, if you’re looking to work in the beauty industry and attend Paul Mitchell Schools, you could get a scholarship to pursue your dream.
The search for free money doesn’t stop there, though, as tech schools have yet another source of grants and scholarships: Unions and trade organizations. You can find these by searching online for organizations linked to your field. Visit their websites, and you may see sections dedicated to grants and scholarships for prospective students looking to become part of the industry. As an example, students looking to work with automotive technology can get scholarships from the TechForce Foundation.
One more place to look for funding toward your trade school degree or certificate is your current employer. If you’re looking to remain in that field and advance your career, they may be willing to help you with tuition assistance.
With all of the above options at your disposal, you should now see that there’s no need to finance your tech school studies with money from your own pocket. Follow the tips above and visit this website to start searching for technical school grants and scholarships now.
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