In short
To afford a career change, keep working while you train if you can, apply for a Pell Grant, which for 2026-27 is up to $7,395 a year for those who qualify, ask your local job center about WIOA training funds, and check whether your employer offers tuition help. Paid apprenticeships let you earn from the start.
Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUpdated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.
Order of operations
- Free money first: Pell Grants and WIOA funds do not need repayment.
- Employer help: many employers offer tuition assistance; the IRS lets employers give up to $5,250 a year in educational assistance tax-free to the employee (IRS Publication 15-B).
- Paid training: apprenticeships and employer-sponsored programs.
- Savings and payment plans: before any private loan.
A simple budget check
Write down what you need each month to live. If training means fewer hours, how big is the gap and for how many months? The payback calculator helps you see if the trade is worth it.
Questions people ask
How much is the Pell Grant for 2026-27?
Up to $7,395 for the 2026-27 award year, depending on need and costs, per the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I get paid while I train?
Yes, through apprenticeships and some employer programs.
Should I take out a loan for trade school?
Only after grants and other help, and only for a program with strong outcomes.