Are you considering trade school for your career training, but aren’t quite sure how to pay for it? While trade school programs can be more affordable than traditional college, you might need assistance to cover the total cost. Scholarships and grants can be a great option, because they are both essentially “free money” (meaning money you do not have to pay back) that you can use to help fund your schooling, if you qualify.
If you’re like most people, you might not know that trade school students are eligible for the same types of federal grants and scholarships as traditional college students.
In this article, we’ll break down trade school grants and scholarships so you’ll be better equipped to find, apply for, and secure funding to help you pay for your trade school education.
Grants vs Scholarships: What’s the Difference?
Grants and scholarships have one primary thing in common: both are free money (meaning money you don’t have to pay back) that you can use to help fund your trade school training. The major difference is where you are getting that money and how it is obtained.
Federal Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is the most widely applied for and distributed form of federal financial aid. This is a need-based grant, which does not have to be paid back (except under certain circumstances.)
Because it is a need-based grant, you can be awarded anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to the maximum award, which is $7,395 for the 2024–25 award year (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).
To find out what type of grant you could be eligible for, fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online. There are separate grants available for military veterans. Additionally, you can research grants available to women and minorities.
Scholarships
Unlike federal grants, scholarships are awarded through a wide array of institutions, businesses, organizations, private individuals and many more sources. Like grants, scholarships are free money and do not need to be paid back.
However, with scholarships, there is not just one universal application. Each scholarship you apply for will have its own set of criteria and application process. Essay contests are common, but you may find scholarships that require a video application, interview, or other requirements. It’s always important to read the rules very carefully before you apply.
There are several types of scholarships, including:
- School-Specific Scholarships: If you know which trade school you want to attend, be sure during the enrollment process to ask if they offer any scholarships to their students.
For example, Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) offers a High School Scholarship Program that awards seniors from across Illinois and Missouri with scholarships to attend MTI! The scholarship is not academic-based, but rather focuses on the student’s passion for learning a skilled trade at MTI. Scholarship amounts vary. - Industry Scholarships: These scholarships can come from a wide variety of sources, such as businesses, nonprofits, local organizations, foundations, or even in memoriam. For example, a major construction company may offer a scholarship for students to study a specific construction trade they need to hire. If you want to apply for several scholarships, researching scholarships based on your program or industry of choice is a great option that could open up new sources of free money to help fund your education.
- Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Needs-based scholarships are intended to help students who would not otherwise be able to afford a trade school education due to low income.
- Merit-Based Scholarships: Merit based scholarships could be awarded for several reasons, from academic performance in high school, to volunteering or community service.
- Scholarship Contests: Many scholarships are set up as contests. You may find essay contests, video contests, or competitions that relate specifically to your field of study. For example, Midwest Technical Institute’s High School Welding Competition allows seniors to compete for MTI welding scholarships. Scholarship amounts vary, with the top prizes going to first through third place winners–and all participants take home a $500 MTI scholarship!
Top Scholarships for Trade School Students
Are you ready to start applying for trade school scholarships? Here are a few opportunities to help you get started.
Midwest Technical Institute’s High School Scholarship Program
The High School Scholarship is for high school seniors interested in learning a skilled trade at any of MTI’s campus locations in Illinois or Missouri.
The High School Scholarship is not academic based, and instead focuses on your interest and passion for learning a skill, such as welding, HVAC/R, medical assisting, dental assisting, truck driving, or cosmetology. In 2024, nearly $300,000 in trade school scholarship funds were awarded to 84 high school seniors across Illinois and Missouri.
Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship
The Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship is for those interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, such as aspiring plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians.
Imagine America Scholarship Foundation
The Imagine America Scholarship Foundation helps you with scholarships from various schools across the country. You can create a free account with Imagine America, who will automatically match you to schools where you can apply for a scholarship.
To help get your scholarship search started, check out more scholarship opportunities!
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Helpful Tips for the Application Process
1. Be Proactive
Earning scholarship money for your education is going to take vigilance and determination. Your best chance of getting a scholarship or grant is to stay on top of new opportunities. Apply frequently and stay organized by tracking deadlines, applications, and requirements on a spreadsheet. This will help keep you on top of your goals and improve your chances of success.
2. Apply to ALL Applicable Scholarships – No Matter the Award Amount
Scholarships with easy, fast applications and straightforward guidelines should be at the top of your list. There’s nothing wrong with trying for the big scholarships, but balancing your efforts by also applying for scholarships with lower award amounts and easy applications can be just as effective. Keep in mind, the higher the monetary award, the more applicants you’ll be competing against. Applying to various types of scholarships can help increase your chances of securing more financial aid overall.
3. Do Your Research
Don’t fall victim to scholarship scams that want you to pay just to apply. If you’re questioning the legitimacy of a scholarship, try to find out how many scholarships are awarded each year and who the winners were in previous years. This will help you determine if the application is worth your time. Additionally, try researching scholarships for students with qualifications, interests, background, and experiences applicable to you.
4. Check Your Work
Make sure your application is filled out thoroughly and accurately. If you’re submitting an essay, be sure to read through it and look for any errors in spelling or grammar. If you find you are getting rejected consistently, double-check you are reading the instructions closely and meeting all the requirements.
5. Don’t Get Discouraged
You win some, you lose some, but don’t let rejection get you down. A little perseverance and motivation will be your best asset, so keep applying and stay positive. With so many scholarships and grants available to trade school students, there are plenty of opportunities to help find the funding to pursue your education and train for a successful career in the skilled trades.
Learn More About Scholarships at MTI
Now that you have a better understanding of how to find and apply for scholarships, it’s time to get to work! MTI is here to help. During the enrollment process, you’ll meet one-on-one with a member of MTI’s Financial Aid Team, who can help you explore financial aid and scholarship options you may qualify for.
If you’re interested in learning a skilled trade, request more information and a member of MTI’s Admissions Team will contact you.
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