Student Loans and Financial Aid for Bartender School

The demand for bartenders is growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9% growth in bartender employment between now and 2033. But before becoming a master mixologist, you'll need to pay for bartending training. Federal and private student loans for bartender school may be available, depending on your program, but your options might be limited.

If you're exploring this career path, here's what you need to know about how to pay for bartender school.

Current private student loan rates

Can you get student loans for bartender school?

You can get private student loans for bartending school, but federal student loans may not be an option.

“Most bartending schools or programs do not participate in federal financial aid programs,” says Cathy Mueller, executive director of Mapping Your Future, a nonprofit organization that offers college, career, and financial aid services.

Bartender programs are typically non-accredited, short-term programs. However, there are a few exceptions. Crescent City School of Gaming and Bartending, for example, is nationally accredited and eligible for federal financial aid.

Some accredited trade schools and community colleges also offer bartending classes. For example, Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Massachusetts, offers three bartending classes — “Hands-on Bartending,” “Craft Cocktails & Mixology,” and “TiPS Alcohol Liability Certification” — and participates in the federal student aid program.

If your school is eligible for federal student aid, you could access federal student loans, such as Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. You might also qualify for need-based grants, such as the Pell Grant. You can use the Department of Education's official database to search for accredited schools.

Most stand-alone bartending programs, however, don't qualify for federal financial aid or loans. Instead, you could turn to private student loans or another financing option.

Private student loans for bartender training

Private student loans are credit-based, meaning you'll need a minimum credit score to qualify. The lender you choose will assign your loan an interest rate, and you'll pay back your balance on a set repayment schedule, plus interest.

Since rates and fees vary by lender, it's worth shopping around to find your most affordable loan option. Some lenders that offer trade school loans include:

• Sallie Mae: Sallie Mae offers a Smart Option Student Loan for Career Training that you can use toward professional training and trade certificate courses. The lender requires you to borrow a minimum loan amount of $1,000.
• Ascent: Ascent offers vocational student loans to attend career preparation programs at certain schools. The minimum loan amount is $2,001 in most states, but $6,001 if you live in Massachusetts.
• Edly: Edly offers career training loans both with and without a cosigner. You'll need a minimum income of $30,000 to qualify for its no-cosigner loan. Once repayment starts, you can choose an income-based repayment plan. The amount you can borrow depends on your specific program.

“The most important considerations when obtaining a private student loan, aside from eligibility, are the cost of the loan — interest rates and fees — and the repayment terms,” says Mark Kantrowitz, author of “How To Appeal for More College Financial Aid.”

Before borrowing, Kantrowitz recommends asking yourself, “How much will you have to pay per month, and for how long?”

Other ways to pay for bartender school

Borrowing a student loan for bartender school should typically be a last resort after exhausting other financing options.

Students “should carefully consider whether to take out a loan at all,” says Mueller. “Most bartending programs or certificate programs are reasonably affordable — a few hundred dollars or possibly more, depending on the program.”

See Also: Pros and Cons of Student Loans: Are They Right for You?

Some alternative ways to cover costs include:

• School-sponsored payment plans: Some schools may offer payment plans that let you spread out the cost over several months, rather than having to pay your full tuition bill up front. However, there may be a fee to enroll in a payment plan.
• Employer tuition assistance and reimbursement programs: Check with your employer to see if they can help pay for your bartender training program.
• Grants: If you're taking bartending classes at an accredited college, you could qualify for a federal grant like the Pell Grant, which offers up to $7,395 per year to students with demonstrated financial need. 
• Scholarships: Some scholarship awards are available for career training programs. For example, The Bartenders' Foundation offers scholarships to bartenders and their families. Research your options on scholarship search engines or inquire with the program directly about opportunities.

Tips for borrowing smart for vocational training

Student loan debt can be difficult to pay off, especially if you get stuck with high interest rates. Here are some tips for borrowing smart:

• Only borrow what you need: You'll have to pay back the amount you take out, plus interest, so try to keep borrowing to a minimum. Avoid using student loan money on non-essentials.
• Compare loan offers and repayment terms: Shop around to find the most affordable private loans for bartender certification. An online student loan calculator can help you crunch the numbers and find a loan with the lowest cost of borrowing.
• Create a budget based on post-graduation income: Consider how much you'll make as a bartender following your program. When making your budget, factor in your living expenses, such as rent, transportation, and groceries, to ensure you'll have enough left to make your monthly loan payments.
• Research program costs: The costs of bartender school vary, so compare multiple options to find a program that fits your budget and offers high-quality training. If a program is unaffordable, you might consider a less costly alternative.