​As higher education and federal financial aid policy continues to mature, discussions are starting to focus around whether the traditional, classroom-focused model is really the most effective and financially viable option for higher education. In addition to newer delivery methods such as online degree programs, old school apprenticeships are starting to come back into vogue among policymakers​ and students.

Apprenticing is invaluable to students pursuing certain careers because they allow students to learn by doing. If you want to become a firefighter or an architect, book learning and lectures are only going to teach you the theory of the craft. And you don't want to live in a house designed by someone who’s only ever read about home design and construction.

The idea of earning while you’re learning is not a new one by any means. Aristotle once said, "For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them."



The concept has, however, fallen under the radar in the past 50 years while our country has been encouraging its citizens to attain a higher education. Now, the goal is to ensure that whatever form of education a student wants to pursue, the access and affordability are there.​

The perceived roadblock for students looking for apprenticeships is financing. While most are aware that there’s financial aid available for traditional degree programs, many don’t realize that there are options for apprenticeships as well.

Traditional Financial Aid for Nontraditional Students

Recognizing the value of hands-on learning, the Obama administration has made efforts to double the number of apprenticeships over the next five years. One of the ways they’ve done this is to provide guidance to colleges and universities to help them understand that, in many cases, traditional federal financial aid can also be used to provide funding for these types of programs.

For example, if an apprenticeship is part of an aid-eligible, existing degree or certificate program, a school is allowed to provide federal aid to the apprenticeship part of the program. If the hands-on portion of the program is provided by the school, there is no limit as to how much of the program is considered an apprenticeship versus classroom hours. Schools are also encouraged to use federal work-study funds to locate or create off-campus apprenticeships for students.



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This past December, the Department of Labor announced $100 million in grants to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities in high-growth areas such as health care, biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing.

Incorporating an apprenticeship into an academic program in one of these fields not only results in more experienced graduates, but it also helps these students keep higher education costs down by allowing them to earn while they learn. As middle-class ​Americans become more and more debt averse, the idea of earning rather than borrowing for higher education is becoming much more appealing.

Funding From Other Sources

In addition to federal and state financial aid, other funding sources are available for those pursuing a vocational education. In fact, some scholarship and grant programs are only available to vocational students. The Manufacturers Association of Maine, for example, offers scholarships to those students pursuing a career in manufacturing or related trades.



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Some veterans may also be eligible to use their GI Bill funds to subsidize apprenticeships and vocational training to become plumbers or firefighters or to learn hotel management. As many apprentices only receive at most 50 percent pay during their vocational training, this GI Bill benefit provides a stipend to subsidize those reduced earnings while the student learns the trade.

How to Find Options