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 big news 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.
Yes. Trade associations, unions, manufacturers, and nonprofits offer scholarships specifically for skilled trades students.
Fill out the FAFSA first, then look at Workforce Pell, WIOA funding, state grants, and trade-specific scholarships. Many students combine several sources.
Many do. Apprenticeship sponsors, contractors, and manufacturers often cover training costs for employees, especially in high-demand trades.