Vocational and Trade Student Grants

Free Money for Automotive, HVAC, Cosmetology School

In the last few years vocational and trade education has soared. Economic turbulence combined with increasing demand for some trades, has fueled interest in fields like HVAC, Automotive Repair, Welding, as well as Cosmetology, Massage, and Culinary Arts.

Traditionally these educational pathways were not conducive to financial aid assistance. But times have changed. If you’re dead-set on learning a trade where should you look for good educational grant sources?

Popular Sources of Trade School Grants

Some students are not designed for liberal arts study, but are drawn to skilled jobs and professional careers that let them work in high-demand fields. Specialists in carpentry, auto repair, HVAC, and many more stand to make excellent salaries especially when they can prove the educational and training chops to match their zeal.

Guess what? Students pursuing trade school programs and career degrees could be engaged at the community college and technical school level or at the undergraduate and even graduate level, depending upon the type of program.

Since these are “professional” or career-training pathways you must modify where and how you search for student grants. Common sources to check include:

  • Local and regional community and technical colleges
  • Professional and trade organizations
  • State government

Vocational Grants from Community and Technical Colleges

It stands to reason that since community and technical colleges are primary administrators of trade degrees that many may be good sources for grant money. While this is not always the case, many have received federal funds that help build state of the art facilities, maintain stables of highly trained faculty, AND offer some assistance to students.

**Tip: In many areas you may have access to a number of different educational institutions. Compare student grants and other financial aid offered by each, as well as programs and faculty. Always ask an Admissions or Finaid representative at the school about available grant programs, regardless of what’s written in the catalog or brochure.

Professional and Trade Organizations Provide Grant Money

One of the very best sources you have for student grants is the many trade organizations around the country. There are national, regional and local chapters in many cases. If you plan to study HVAC, get involved and become a student member of a state and/or national trade organization. If you’re pursuing education in the culinary arts, seek out a notable state and/or national culinary organization. Make sure the associations with which you become affiliated provide student support, including grants and scholarships.

  • The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers annually gives away a handful of HVAC student grants.
  • The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation maintains lucrative grants for students majoring in Hospitality and Culinary Arts programs. Here is an example of career-centric education at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

State Grants for Students Enrolled in Vocational Schools

State governments must wrestle with big economic ideals, which includes nurturing a self-sustaining and multi-layered socio-economic fabric. To these ends many states not only provide grants and scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students, but they also provide grants for students seeking vocational degrees and certificates.

  • Kansas Board of Regents awards 250 annual Vocational Grants to resident students pursuing trade programs at the state’s community and technical colleges. This outlay of funds covers nearly half of all vocational students in the state. Eligible candidates are top scorers on the state’s vocational exam.

Final tip: don’t overlook what any private businesses and industry may offer, as well. Keep your ears to the ground for local or regional grants and scholarships tailor-made for trade school students.