Mammoth AwardsMany people get to a point in their lives when they decide it’s time to aim for bigger and better things. They may feel as if there’s no upward movement in their job, causing them to rethink their plans.
They may want to reach higher heights in their field, causing them to seek advanced education. Or, they may simply want to learn a new skill to take a different career path and become a chef, nurse, dental hygienist, mechanic, plumber, etc.
Regardless of the trigger for change, a great way to make it happen is by attending a technical school. Doing so can help you get focused training for the job of your dreams without the general studies that accompany a standard college curriculum. This not only enables you to graduate quicker so you can enter the workforce, but it can also help you save money.
Speaking of money, you may have your sights set on going to tech school, but your budget may not have enough room for those extra expenses. If that’s the case, don’t fret, as you can get funding towards your tech school degree by following these tips:
Talk To Your Employer
If you’re happy with the field you’re in, but you’d like to move up and get promoted, tech school training could help. Let your employer know your intentions. Ask if the company has a tuition assistance program.
They may see your ambition as a solid investment, and they could help pay for some of your studies so you can become an even more valuable part of the company.
If your employer was the military, the GI Bill could pay for your studies.
Fill Out Your FAFSA
If you’re not working or your employer doesn’t offer tuition assistance, don’t fret. There is plenty of free money out there, and the best place to start looking for it is with the federal government.
Believe it or not, you don’t have to attend college to qualify for government grants. You don’t have to be a certain age, either. All you have to do is complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to show that you have a financial need.
Filling out this form can open the floodgates for funding your trade school journey. First, it shows the federal government what you qualify for according to financial need. This could make you eligible for the Pell Grant, which offers $6,000-plus per year towards your schooling.
Qualify for a Pell Grant, and you could automatically be eligible for other federal grants, plus offerings from your state.
Does the free money for school end there? No, because once your federal and state options are determined, you can still look for grants and scholarships from the school you’ll attend. Just get in touch with the school’s financial aid office to see what’s at your disposal.
Next up are grants and scholarships from trade organizations and unions. With technical skills in demand, these groups are willing to dish out free money to students looking to jump into the industry. You can find such funding by searching for national organizations in your desired field. Most have websites with sections dedicated to grants and scholarships for tech school students.
