Attending a trade or vocational school is a smart choice if you’re interested in becoming a plumber, electrician, or auto mechanic. These schools teach the skills you’ll need to start a successful career in your chosen profession.
Trade school programs are typically shorter than four-year college degree programs, as additional skills are often taught through apprenticeships. But despite being shorter programs, they still come at a cost. And that cost can climb into the tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the program you choose.
Fortunately, you may be able to get a scholarship to help pay for trade school. Here are some generous vocational scholarships and information about how to apply for each.
1. Smart Service Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Application deadline: April 15, 2023
Scheduling software company My Service Depot helps keep many trade businesses running smoothly. In addition to its helpful software, Smart Service also offers its $1,000 Smart Service Scholarship to eligible students interested in attending or currently enrolled in a vocational school. This scholarship is available to high school or undergraduate students pursuing a trade in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or construction.
You can apply here if you’re interested.
2. DeWalt Trade Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Application deadline: February 8, 2023
While this year’s application deadline has already passed, Stanley Black & Decker’s DeWalt Trade Scholarship could be a good option for those planning to start trade school in the fall of 2024. This scholarship is available to eligible students attending a two-year college or vocational school, and winners are awarded $5,000. If you’re interested in pursuing a trade degree or certificate in the fields of mechanics, construction, and more, a scholarship this large can be a great way to offset the cost.
You can apply here if you’re interested.
3. Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs (NBT) Scholarships
Amount: Up to $3,500
Application deadline: March 31, 2023
The NBT Foundation was created by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International. Its goal is to provide financial support to students interested in pursuing a manufacturing career. NBT Scholarships are an option if you’re seeking funding for vocational school. Each year, NBT awards up to $3,500 to eligible students. It currently offers three scholarship options, each with different eligibility requirements.
You can apply here if you’re interested.
4. The Home Depot and Skillpointe Foundations’ Path to Pro Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Application deadline: March 31, 2023
The Home Depot is a retail favorite of tradespeople and weekend warriors alike. To help support the trades further, The Home Depot and Skillpointe Foundations launched their Path to Pro Scholarship to help encourage students to pursue a vocation. This $2,000 scholarship is available nationwide and is offered to eligible students entering a trade college program.
In addition to its scholarship, The Home Depot Foundation also offers other programs. To date, it’s helped over 126,000 people enter the trades.
You can apply here if you’re interested.
5. Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Application deadline: March 31, 2023
Aerospace company Lockheed Martin employs around 114,000 people globally. Apart from gainfully employing thousands of people, it also provides financial support to students interested in technical training programs in the manufacturing, engineering, and technology fields. Eligible students who receive Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarships get $5,000 to offset the cost of their education.
You can apply here if you’re interested.
6. Porch Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Application deadline: April 16, 2023
Porch, a software company that connects homeowners with contractors, has been helping tradespeople build their businesses for years. In addition to providing that support, it also helps assist the next generation of trade and home services professionals with its scholarship. Porch offers a $2,000 scholarship to high school seniors, and college students enrolled in a qualifying two- or four-year college or vocational program.
You can apply here if you’re interested.
The bottom line
Trade school programs can be expensive, but completing one can also lead to a lucrative career in your chosen field. And fortunately, you may be eligible for a scholarship depending on your situation. The generous scholarships above are worth researching if you’re heading to a vocational school in the future.
A federal Pell Grant may also be worth considering if you’re looking for additional assistance with paying for trade school. Pell Grants are need-based financial grants that can be used to cover the cost of qualifying two- or four-year colleges. The maximum Pell Grant available for the 2023-2024 school year is $7,395.
Private student loans are an option as well. These loans can help if you’re ineligible for scholarships or you need more assistance than scholarship funds or grants can provide. ELFI offers private student loans with competitive rates that will help you pay for vocational school.*
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