Find scholarships, grants, and financial aid for your trade school or apprenticeship — plus the new Workforce Pell Grant launched July 1, 2026.
Short-term trade certificates (under 15 weeks) may now qualify for federal Pell Grant funding for the first time. This is a game-changer for HVAC, welding, CDL, and other quick-entry trade programs.
Starting July 1, 2026, federal grant money — the kind you never repay — finally reaches short-term trade training. A program can qualify if it runs 8 to 15 weeks and 150 to 599 clock hours, earns its Governor’s approval, and hits federal targets for completion, job placement, and earnings. On your side, it takes three things: a Social Security number, a high school diploma or its equivalent, and a filed FAFSA. The average award is projected around $2,200, scaled to your need.
Do this now: file your FAFSA, ask each program whether it qualifies for Workforce Pell, and watch your state’s workforce site as approved programs post. Run the eligibility checker →
Rules are still rolling out and approvals vary by state — confirm with the school or the U.S. Department of Education. This isn’t financial aid advice.