Students planning to attend a trade school are eligible for the same federal financial aid as students planning to attend any other type of post-secondary school, such as a college or university. In order to receive federal aid, students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available on the federal government's student aid website. Grants are awarded based on a student's demonstrated financial need. Depending on financial need and personal circumstances, students may be awarded one or more of the following six types of federal grants: Federal Pell grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grants, Academic Competitiveness grants, National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent grants, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service grants.
Students who intend to pursue a specific trade may be able to get a scholarship or grant from an organization dedicated to that trade. For example, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation awards two $2,500 scholarships per year to students enrolled in an accredited two-year community college or trade school program. The Automotive Service Councils of California offers scholarships to high school seniors who plan to enroll in post-high school technical training in the automotive field. Female or minority students may be eligible for additional scholarships as well.
Several private scholarship programs are open to students enrolling in a trade school. The Sallie Mae Fund offers the Unmet Need Scholarship to students at any accredited post-secondary school who have a combined family income of $30,000 or less and were awarded a financial aid package that falls more than $1,000 short of their actual financial need. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation offers scholarships to students enrolling in two-year trade school programs as well.