Ways to pay for training

Get paid to learn

The cheapest way in: a job that trains you. You still may pay an application fee, tuition or books.

• Registered apprenticeships

  U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission

  An apprenticeship is a paid job with classes. Texas helps pay for the classes, but programs may still charge an application fee, tuition or books.

  What U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission says

  • “Earn a competitive wage from day one” Source ↗
  • “TWC grants money, appropriated by the Texas Legislature, to support classroom instruction in RA programs.” Source ↗

  See apprenticeships in Texas →

• Austin Electrical Training Alliance

  Austin Electrical Training Alliance

  An example of what a union apprenticeship costs and pays: $21.07 an hour to start, a $35 application fee, and tuition announced before classes start.

  What Austin Electrical Training Alliance says

  • Wage per hour, 1st period: $21.07; journeyman: $38.30 Source ↗
  • “$35.00 Application Fee; Tuition announced prior to class starting.” Source ↗

  See the program ↗

• Employer-sponsored apprenticeships

  ABC South Texas

  In non-union (merit shop) programs, you're hired by a contractor first, and the contractor usually pays the school's tuition.

  What ABC South Texas says

  • “individuals are typically sponsored by a contractor, subcontractor, or specialty trade company.” Source ↗
  • “Employers typically sponsor apprentice tuition as part of workforce strategy.” Source ↗
  • “Tuition is $2,450 per apprentice for ABC South Texas members and $2,825 for future members” Source ↗

  See an example: ABC South Texas ↗

Workforce Solutions training money

Each area of Texas has a Workforce Solutions board. If you qualify, it can pay a school for an approved training program. Your board depends on the county you live in. Veterans go first.

• Workforce Solutions training scholarships

  Texas Workforce Commission

  If you qualify, your local Workforce Solutions board can pay a school for an approved training program. Each board sets its own limit, and money depends on its budget.

  What Texas Workforce Commission says

  • “Local Workforce Development Boards (Boards) need a way to fund training for Adult and Dislocated Worker program participants. They use Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) to do this.” Source ↗
  • “Being on the statewide ETPL does not guarantee that a Board will refer any student to the program.” Source ↗

  TWC's list of approved programs ↗

Workforce Pell

Federal student aid for short programs at approved Texas community colleges.

• Workforce Pell

  Office of the Texas Governor

  Federal student aid for short-term programs. Texas's first approved programs include HVAC and machining at Weatherford College, welding at Texas Southmost College and electric power technology at Kilgore College. Ask the college's financial aid office how to apply.

  What Office of the Texas Governor says

  • “five Texas community colleges earned approval from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to offer Workforce Pell student aid for short-term programs” Source ↗
  • “Kilgore College: Electric Power Technology (KCEPT)” Source ↗
  • “Weatherford College: HVAC – Basic; Basic Machining; CNC Machining Advanced” Source ↗
  • “Texas Southmost College: Structural Welding – SMAW” Source ↗

  See the approved programs ↗

Scholarships and guarantees

• Work Ethic Scholarship

  the mikeroweWORKS Foundation

  A scholarship for trade school programs of two years or less. You'll need a tuition bill from your school, a short video and references.

  We're not connected with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Apply on their site.

  What the mikeroweWORKS Foundation says

  • “Enroll or plan to enroll in an approved program, two years or less, at an accredited school.” Source ↗
  • “Provide an official tuition bill or cost statement from your school.” Source ↗
  • “We award scholarships four times a year, so if you miss a deadline, there's another one coming.” Source ↗

  Read the rules and apply ↗

• TSTC Money-Back Guarantee

  Texas State Technical College

  Not money up front: if you finish an eligible TSTC program and have no job offer within six months, TSTC refunds your tuition.

  What Texas State Technical College says

  • “Receive a job offer within 6 months or we refund your tuition” Source ↗
  • “Complete HIRE 1100 or HIRE 1000 course” Source ↗

  See who qualifies ↗