Looking for some money to help pay for vocational school? In this article, we’re going to break down some of the key aspects you should keep in mind when it comes time to find and apply for vocational school scholarships.
While vocational schools are more affordable than a traditional college, you should still take advantage of every opportunity to secure financial assistance to help pay for your education.
Know the Difference Between a Scholarship and Grant
Scholarships and grants are both very valuable assets that can help make paying for vocational school a lot easier. However, before you apply, it’s important to know the difference between the two.
Federal Grants
A federal Pell Grant is most likely the type of grant you’ll be applying for.[1] Like a scholarship, grants are essentially free money you can get from the government to pick up some of the cost of tuition and books.
The Pell Grant is a needs-based grant, so the amount you are awarded will be based on your financial situation (or that of your parents). Awards range from a few hundred dollars up to $5,920. You can apply for a grant online by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).[2] Federal grants are also available to veterans and those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Scholarships
Scholarships are an abundant source of financial aid for vocational school students. The only limit to how many scholarships you can apply for is the amount of time you are willing to put in. Unlike federal grants, scholarships are provided by a vast array of businesses, schools, organizations and private donors.
The two main categories of scholarships are needs-based and merit-based. Needs-based scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s financial need. If your household is below a certain income threshold, you should prioritize applying for needs-based scholarships.
Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on your previous academic and social successes. If you did well in high school and kept a high GPA, merit-based scholarships are a great option. Some merit-based scholarships may also be awarded for volunteer work or community involvement.
Every scholarship will have its own guidelines for submitting an application, so it’s important to read the rules carefully. Let’s look at the two common types of scholarships you can expect to find.
Internal Scholarships: These scholarships are provided through specific schools and limited to students who plan to attend that school. If you know which vocational school you plan to attend, be sure to see what internal scholarships are available.
External Scholarships: External scholarships are awarded by outside organizations. These can be found on scholarship search engines and each will have its own set of application rules. Avoid any scholarships that charge you a fee just to apply.
A Few Great Vocational School Scholarships
If you are ready to start applying for scholarships, here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Midwest Technical Institute High School Scholarship
This is a great vocational school scholarship available to those who qualify. The scholarship is for high school graduates planning to study at one of Midwest Technical Institute’s trade schools in Illinois or Missouri. Awards range from $2,000 up to $10,000 or full tuition.
Details: https://www.midwesttech.edu/admissions/scholarships/mti-dtc-high-school-scholarship/
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
This is an awesome scholarship opportunity for students who want to train for a career in allied health, such as medical assisting or dental assisting. You can fill out the application online and answer two 500-word essay questions. This scholarship opens every spring.
ACLS Scholarship for Healthcare Providers
This is another scholarship available to students studying for a career in allied health. Applicants can be enrolled in a healthcare-focused program anywhere in the country to apply for this $1,000 scholarship.
Mike Rowe Work Ethic Scholarship
This scholarship is geared toward vocational school students studying a skilled trade. Those studying to become plumbers, electricians, welders, HVAC technicians and more are always encouraged to apply.
A Few More Things to Keep in Mind Before You Apply
1: Apply Often
Securing a few smaller scholarships is just as important as winning a big one. Seek out less competitive scholarships and apply for these often. If your application ends up in a smaller stack, your odds of winning a scholarship are improved. [3]
2: Don’t Get Discouraged
Rejection is bound to happen. Don’t let it get to you. A little perseverance and motivation will be your best asset. Don’t give up at the first sign of adversity.
3: Weed Out the Scams
Don’t fall victim to scholarship scams that want you to pay just to apply. If the information is available, find out how many scholarships are awarded each year and who the winners were in previous years. This will help you determine if the odds of winning are worth your time.
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.
Now Get Out There and Apply for Some Scholarships
Now that you have a better idea of how to find and apply for scholarships, it’s time to put in some work. Plenty of vocational school students just like you are finding great scholarships every day.
If you have questions about attending a vocational school, the admissions staff at MTI is here to help.