Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans Best Trade School Loans for Career Training in 2025 Updated Jun 09, 2025 6-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Catherine Collins Written by Catherine Collins Expertise: Budgeting, Mortgages, Credit, Debt, Personal loans, Small business, Entrepreneurship Learn more about Catherine Collins Reviewed by Eric Kirste, CFP® Reviewed by Eric Kirste, CFP® Expertise: Debt management, tax planning, college planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, estate planning, investment planning, budgeting, comprehensive financial planning Eric Kirste CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®, is a founding principal wealth manager for Savvy Wealth. Eric brings 22 years of wealth management experience working with clients, families, and their businesses, and serving in different leadership capacities. Learn more about Eric Kirste, CFP® Trade schools are an increasingly popular path to well-paying, hands-on careers in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and IT. According to Gitnux, these programs typically last under two years and cost an average of $33,000. You can get student loans for accredited trade, technical, and career training schools. Start with federal loans via the FAFSA, and then use private lenders to fill funding gaps. Company Best for… Rating (0-5) 5.0 View Rates Best Trade School Loans 5.0 View Rates 4.8 View Rates Best for Cosigners 4.8 View Rates 3.9 View Rates Best for No Cosigners 3.9 View Rates Table of Contents Best student loans for trade school Federal student loans College Ave Sallie Mae Edly Are all trade schools eligible for student loans? How to apply for a trade school loan Alternatives to student loans FAQ Can you get student loans for career training or vocational school? Can you get student loans for trade school with bad credit? Can you get financial aid for trade school? How long does it take to repay trade school loans? Are trade school loans eligible for forgiveness? Best student loans for trade school Federal student loans Many accredited trade and vocational schools accept federal student loans. To find out whether your school qualifies, search the Federal School Code List, or ask your school’s financial aid office. Once you confirm eligibility, submit the FAFSA. Your school will use your FAFSA data to create a financial aid package, which may include: DetailsDirect Subsidized LoanDirect Unsubsidized LoanInterest rate5.50%5.50%EligibilityNeed-basedNo need requirementTerms10 – 25 yrs10 – 25 yrsGrace period6 months after school6 months after school College Ave Best Overall 5.0 /5 View Rates Why we picked it College Ave offers Career Training Loans for students attending eligible trade programs. You can cover up to 100% of school-certified costs, choose your repayment terms, and apply with or without a cosigner. Cover up to 100% of your costs Choose your repayment terms Get a decision in just 3 minutes Loan details Rates (APR)5.59% – 16.99%1Loan amounts$1,000 – 100% of certified costsRepayment terms5, 8, 10, or 15 yearsRepayment plansFull, interest-only, $25 flat, or deferredEnrollmentNo restrictionsStatesAll 50 statesCredit scoreMid-600s and aboveAnnual income$35,000 Sallie Mae Best for Cosigners 4.8 /5 View Rates Why we picked it The Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan for Career Training works for part-time, half-time, and full-time students. The loan covers tuition, fees, and tools. Cosigner release is available after 12 on-time payments. Apply once and receive funds for the full year Covers up to 100% of your costs Available to less-than-half-time students Loan details Rates (APR)5.59% – 16.99%Loan amounts$1,000 – 100% of certified costsRepayment terms5, 8, 10, or 15 yearsRepayment plansInterest-only, $25 flat, or deferredEnrollmentNo restrictionsStatesAll 50 states, D.C., Puerto RicoCredit scoreMid-600s and aboveAnnual incomeNot disclosed Edly Best for Income-Based Repayment 3.9 /5 View Rates Why we picked it Edly offers loans based on your future income, not a set interest rate. You won’t make payments until your annual income exceeds $30,000, and payments scale with what you earn. No interest charges Repay a set percentage of income No cosigner required Loan details Rates (APR)Percentage of your incomeLoan amounts$5,000 – $25,000Repayment termsVaries by productRepayment plansVaries by productEnrollmentFull-timeStatesNot disclosedCredit scoreVaries by productAnnual incomeNone Read More: Best Private Student Loans Are all trade schools eligible for student loans? Not all trade schools qualify for federal or private loans. Your school must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency and authorized to operate in its state. If your school isn’t accredited, you likely won’t be able to take out federal student loans, and many private lenders may not lend to you either. To check: Use the Federal School Code List Contact your school’s financial aid office How to apply for a trade school loan 1. Submit the FAFSA This is your first step to accessing federal aid, including Pell Grants and student loans. You’ll list your trade school’s Federal School Code so it can receive your info. 2. Accept federal aid Review your financial aid package. Accept grants and scholarships first, then federal loans, starting with Subsidized. 3. Apply for private loans if needed Use private lenders like College Ave or Sallie Mae to cover remaining costs. Compare rates and terms. Adding a cosigner can improve your approval odds. 4. Choose the best loan offer Pick the loan with the best rate, repayment flexibility, and terms. Read the fine print. If your school doesn’t qualify for federal student loans, applying for private student loans is the final option. Many private student loans will pay for trade schools, including flight schools, real estate schools, and cosmetology schools. Alternatives to student loans Trade school grants Pell Grant: Up to $7,395 if you qualify Skills Training Grants: Funded by the Department of Labor Scholarships Look for scholarships from your school, trade associations, unions, or third-party organizations. Income-share agreements (ISAs) With an ISA, a school or private entity covers your tuition in exchange for a percentage of your income after graduation. Be sure to understand all terms before committing. Tuition reimbursement Employers like Home Depot offer tuition assistance. Ask about this benefit and confirm any post-graduation work requirements. FAQ Can you get student loans for career training or vocational school? Yes, if your program is accredited. Most federal and private lenders require the school to meet Department of Education standards. Can you get student loans for trade school with bad credit? Yes. Federal loans don’t require a credit check. For private loans, adding a cosigner can help if your credit is limited. Can you get financial aid for trade school? Yes. Accredited trade schools may accept FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, state grants, and federal loans. How long does it take to repay trade school loans? Federal loans offer 10-year standard terms (longer if income-driven). Private loans typically range from five to 15 years. Are trade school loans eligible for forgiveness? Yes, if the loans are federal and the school or program meets eligibility criteria. Check for IDR forgiveness or PSLF options. How we chose the best trade school student loans LendEDU evaluates student loan lenders to help readers find the best student loans. Our latest analysis reviewed 725 data points from 25 lenders and financial institutions, with 29 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once. Recap of trade school student loans Company Rates (APR) Best For Rating (0-5) 5.0 View Rates 5.59% – 16.99% Best Overall 5.0 View Rates 4.8 View Rates 5.59% – 16.99% Cosigned Loans 4.8 View Rates 3.9 View Rates 8.49% – 25.96% No-Cosigner Options and Income-Based Repayment 3.9 View Rates For most students, the best strategy is to start with federal loans and maximize grants and scholarships. Then use private lenders like College Ave or Sallie Mae to cover any gaps. If affordability is a concern, Edly’s income-based repayment structure may help keep payments manageable.