Whether you’re a high school student thinking about next steps after graduation, or you’ve been out in the ~real world~ for some time but are considering going back to school to obtain a degree, trade school is one of the many types of degrees out there worth considering. But, with a plethora of options often comes decision fatigue: which option is best for me?
In this post, we’ll dive into one of the many degree options out there - trade school (also referred to as vocational school or technical school) - along with pros and cons, and of course, plenty of scholarship options for trade school students.
Trade school, also commonly known as vocational school or technical school, is a type of post-secondary degree that is obtained in order to become qualified to enter into skilled trades such as cosmetology, HVAC, computer information systems, and construction management.
Trade school programs are often regarded as the more straightforward path from high school into the workforce, mainly because they are typically shorter in length, lasting under 2 years compared to 4 years for a bachelor’s degree. Ultimately, the goal of trade school programs is to teach you the ins and outs of everything that you will need to succeed in your field of choice in as little time as possible so as to get you transitioned into the workforce quickly.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Quarterly (December 31, March 31, June 30, September 30)
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students of all years, pursuing all post-secondary degree types, this no essay scholarship is a no-brainer. No minimum GPA required apply.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 31, June 30
Eligibility: Open to high school students of all years in the US (freshmen to seniors) who are planning to obtain any type of post-secondary degree. No transcript required to apply.
Amount: Varies, but usually around $1,000
Deadline: Last day of each month
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13+ who are US residents, planning to pursue any type of post-secondary degree. No essay required!
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Last day of each month
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13+ who are US residents, planning to pursue any type of post-secondary degree. No essay or minimum GPA required.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors or current students planning to enroll or are enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year. Must be majoring in a trade construction, industrial, motor/power sector, mechanics, or technology degree/certificate - see the scholarship page for a more comprehensive list of eligible majors.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in a construction-related training program which is approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, community college, technical school or equivalent.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who will be completing a two-year, four-year, or trade/vocational certificate/certification program. Must be pell-grant eligible and demonstrate leadership ability.
Amount: $1,500 - $2,500
Deadline: March 31, September 30
Eligibility: Open to students who are currently enrolled in or entering a certificate or degree program which leads to a manufacturing career on a full-time basis (12 or more credit hours). Minimum 2.5 GPA.
Amount: up to $5,000
Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to high school graduates (with less than a bachelor’s degree) OR high school seniors who are U.S. citizens and are enrolled or planning to enroll part-time or full-time in one of the specified fields of study at an accredited vocational technical school, trade school, two-year community or state college. Fields of study include engineering, advanced manufacturing, and computer and information sciences - see the scholarship page for the full detailed list.
Amount: $1,000 (5 awards)
Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students of all years pursuing all degree types. Special consideration will be given to minority students, as well as students who are or will be the first in their family to attend college.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who plan to enroll in an accredited vocational-technical or trade school/program for the entire upcoming academic semester/term or year.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Open to students pursuing degrees related to marketing, business, and graphic design - through certification programs, courses, and vocational schools in addition to four-year institutions.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Open to anyone enrolled, or planning to enroll, as a HVAC student in a U.S. trade school or program.
As previously mentioned, there are many pros and cons worth considering when thinking about which type of degree to pursue, and if trade school is the right fit for you. Ultimately, you’ll want to consider factors such as program length, cost, flexibility, and end goal.
If you’re looking for a less costly fast-track into the workforce to start earning money as soon as possible, a trade school degree might be the right path for you.
However, if you’re unsure of your desired career path, committing to a trade or vocational degree might not be right for you, as these programs are typically highly specialized and hands-on in the specific field of choice.
There are a few key differences between a trade school degree, associate’s degree, and a bachelor’s degree.
The first is program length; trade school programs tend to vary in length, ranging from 1-2 years. In comparison, associate’s degrees typically take 2 years to complete and bachelor’s degrees typically take 4 years.
The second major difference is the course offering and end goal, in terms of what field or career you’re hoping to pursue after completion. Trade school degrees aim to equip students with specific technical skills needed for a more specialized career. Compare this to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, which is usually less hands-on and provides students with a more general education pertaining to a specific area of study, such as marketing, mechanical engineering, or journalism.
Unlike bachelor’s programs, which are selective in terms of which applicants to accept into their programs, trade school programs tend to have fewer barriers to entry in order to pursue. Trade school applicants generally only need to be 16 or 17 years of age, with a high school diploma, in order to apply.
Although there are a few more differences, the final key difference we’ll call out here is cost. Trade school programs tend to be less costly than bachelor’s degrees, partially due to shorter program lengths.
If searching through this post to find scholarships you're eligible for is not really up your alley, take advantage of our scholarship resource posts that organize opportunities by year in school, ethnicity, gender, and more:
Scholarships for College Freshmen
Scholarships for Community College Students
Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students & Allies
Scholarships for Undocumented Students