There are several types of financial aid and programs that can help you pay for training or education.
You might qualify for free job training
You may be eligible for job training funds under a government program for people who have employment barriers. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act pays for training in programs that lead to in-demand jobs. Training is offered through local non-profits, colleges, and other sources.
The best way to get started is to contact your local American Job Center and ask about how to qualify for WIOA-paid training.
You can see which programs WIOA pays for in your state, using the Local Training Finder.
Some local reentry programs also offer free job training. Look up programs in your area to ask about job training options.
Are you a veteran?
If you’ve served in the military, you have options to help pay for school. Learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other programs for veterans.
If you do qualify for veterans’ education benefits, search for VA-approved programs to make sure a program is eligible, and covered under these funds. You can use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to determine the cost at your chosen school and compare that with other schools.
Get personal help with education benefits from veterans programs in your state. Find them on CareerOneStop's Veteran and Military Transition Center's State Resource Finder, under Education and Training.
Do you receive SNAP?
If you qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits, you may also qualify for a SNAP Employment & Training program to help you gain job skills. Contact your SNAP office, or whoever you receive your SNAP benefits from, to learn more or find out if you qualify for SNAP.
Financial aid for community college or university
Ready to explore a college or university program? Check out these financial aid options. And learn more about whether your conviction might affect your aid.
Get started by talking to the financial aid office of a school near you.
Find contact information for programs and schools in your area on the Local Training Finder. Look for their financial aid office on their website.
Scholarships
Scholarships are financial gifts that help students pay for school. They can come from a college, community group, business, or the government. Many are based on location, race, life experience, or other characteristics. Search the Scholarship Finder, using the filters related to your situation. Each scholarship has its own application to complete.
Schools also offer scholarships to their students; ask the financial aid office at your school.
How much aid might you qualify for?
The Federal Student Aid Estimator can help you estimate how much federal financial aid you might qualify for. You provide some basic information and get an instant estimate.
Ready to start an application for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work study?
The first step to getting federal financial aid or aid from your school, is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be completed every year you are in school. Find the FAFSAapplication and more details. You must complete a FAFSA to qualify for any of these:
Grants are awards you don't have to pay back.
A loan is money that you do have to pay back.
Government-backed loans usually have the lowest interest rates, while loans through a private bank or other financial institution may cost you more in the long run. Learn more about loans from the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Financial Aid Office.
Work-study is on-campus employment offered through a school.
Work-study is available based on your income level and the school’s policies. You can use work-study wages to pay tuition or other expenses. Learn more about work-study from the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Financial Aid Office.