How To Get Student Loans for Court Reporting School

With court reporters in high demand across the U.S., many students are exploring training programs — but how do you pay for it? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for court reporters and captioners was $67,310 in 2024, with top earners making over $120,000. But before you start making money, you may need financial help to cover school costs.

Whether you're pursuing a certificate or enrolling in a degree-granting program, there are a few loan options worth considering. Here's what you need to know about student loans for court reporting school.

Current private student loan rates

Can you get student loans for court reporting school?

You can often get student loans for court reporting school, but this depends on the specific program. Court reporting programs are offered by colleges and universities, as well as trade and technical schools; however, not all programs are eligible.

Dr. Sara Conroy, dean of business and technology at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), notes that only programs accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and approved for Title IV aid are eligible for federal student loans.

Conroy suggests that students considering federal aid “be cautious about schools that are not transparent about their accreditation status or make overly broad claims about financial aid.”

“Students can double-check these statuses by directly asking the admissions office of the school they are interested in attending, or by using federal databases to look up a school's accreditation and Title IV eligibility for themselves,” she adds.

If your program isn't accredited or you require more funding than is available through the federal government, private student loans may be a viable option. However, keep in mind that each private lender has its own borrowing requirements. Review eligibility criteria carefully to determine if the lender will issue a private loan for your specific program.

Federal student loans for court reporting programs

If the school offering a court reporting program is accredited and eligible for federal aid, you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once completed, this application allows you to apply for the following forms of federal student aid:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: These loans are issued to undergraduate students based on financial need, and your credit score isn't a factor in approval. If you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan, the government covers the interest until you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: This type of loan isn't need-based, meaning you may be eligible for funding even if you don't meet the financial requirements for a Direct Subsidized Loan. However, interest begins accruing while you're in school.
• Direct PLUS Loans: PLUS loans are issued to graduate students and parents of dependent undergraduate students. Unlike Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, you must pass a credit check. You can borrow up to your school's cost of attendance, minus other aid received.
• Pell Grants: Grant money is awarded to undergraduate students who meet financial need requirements. Award funds do not need to be repaid.
• Work-study: Graduate and undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the federal work-study program, which offers part-time jobs to students. Funds earned can go toward college expenses.

Private student loans for court reporting training

If your program isn't eligible for federal aid, or your federal loan award does not cover your program costs, you can explore private student loans. Several lenders, such as Sallie Mae and Ascent, offer loans for nontraditional programs, including trade and vocational schools.

Each private lender establishes its own eligibility requirements, rates, and terms. If you're considering a private loan, always compare lenders, looking closely at the following:

• Interest rates: Rates will determine the overall cost of the loan. In addition to comparing the actual rate you receive, note whether rates are fixed and will remain the same over the loan term, or if they're variable, meaning they can increase or decrease over the repayment term.
• Repayment terms: You'll usually have the option to choose a loan term — longer terms may yield lower payments, but you'll likely pay more in interest in the long run. Shorter terms often have higher payments, but you may pay less over the life of the loan. Also, take note of any in-school deferments or interest-only repayment options the lender may offer.
• Financial hardship options: Some lenders offer flexible repayment options that can pause or reduce your payments if you're experiencing financial hardship. Others may not provide those protections, which can make repayment challenging during periods of economic distress.
• Cosigner requirements: If you can't qualify for a loan on your own — which is often the case for young borrowers with no income or credit history — you may need a cosigner for your loan. Cosigners are responsible for loan repayment if the primary borrower can't meet their payment obligations. Some lenders offer a cosigner release option, which removes the cosigner from the loan obligation when specific criteria, such as a series of on-time payments, are met.

It's important to remember that private student loans are generally more expensive when compared to federal aid and offer fewer benefits and reduced flexibility. Furthermore, private student loan forgiveness is rare, whereas federal student loans typically offer some opportunities for forgiveness.

Cost of court reporting school and training

The cost of court reporting school and training can vary significantly, depending on the school and the type and length of the program you're pursuing.

For instance, a bachelor's degree program may range from $5,000 to $23,000 per year, depending on the school you attend, according to Legal Career Path, an online resource for individuals pursuing careers in legal fields like court reporting. Whether you're enrolled as an in-state or out-of-state student can also affect program costs, as in-state students at public universities generally pay less than their out-of-state counterparts.

Associate degrees generally cost less — the average cost of tuition and fees at a public two-year school was $4,050 for the 2024-25 school year, according to the College Board. Online programs are also typically less expensive.

Tuition isn't the only cost court reporting students are likely to encounter, though.

“Court reporting students need to be prepared for additional up-front expenses beyond tuition, which may not be covered by federal financial aid,” says Conroy.

“The costliest of these expenses is the purchase of a steno machine, which typically costs around $1,000 for an entry-level model, but can cost up to $5,000 for a professional machine,” she adds.

Other expenses may include:

• A computer that meets the specifications required to connect court reporting software to the steno machine
• Foot pedals and other machine accessories
• Required software programs, like Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) software and real-time software, when not included in the program fees
• Paid testing and certificate fees for the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) and state licensure exams

Court reporting school costs are also dependent on the length of the program. Longer programs, like bachelor's and associate degrees, are generally more expensive than short-term programs, as you'll need to account for ongoing tuition costs and associated fees.

Court reporter salary and career outlook

The demand for court reporters is expected to grow by 2% by 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

“Court reports are the gold standard for making the record, and there is great demand for their expertise,” says Jill Martin, a court reporting program coordinator at CCAC, one of only 18 NCRA-approved programs in the United States.

One reason the demand for reporters is high is that there are fewer trained professionals than the industry needs. According to the BLS, there are expected to be 1,600 openings for court reporters each year until 2033.

Martin notes that many CCAC graduates receive job offers before they graduate, adding that students who complete an associate program, such as the one offered by CCAC, can often earn an excellent salary without the debt burden associated with a four-year degree.

As of 2024, the median salary for court reporters is $67,310 per year, or $32.36 per hour, according to the BLS. However, top earners can earn as much as $126,440 annually.

Pay and job opportunities also vary based on employment type. Local government court reporters earn a median wage of $75,150 per year. In contrast, court reporting professionals in the state government and business support services earn a median wage of $74,660 and $51,290 per year, respectively.

Earnings can also vary based on remote and freelance opportunities, which offer more flexibility and the option to charge an hourly rate or sell transcript copies at a set rate.

Other ways to pay for court reporting school

In addition to student loans, consider these alternative funding options:

• Scholarships: These are offered by the NCRA, National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA), and other professional organizations.
• Employer reimbursement: Some legal or transcription service companies may subsidize training.
• Workforce development grants: Local and state programs may offer aid for in-demand skills.
• Installment plans: Many schools allow you to pay tuition through monthly payments.

Martin advises students to “take the free Project Steno's Basic Training,” adding that “Project Steno gives merit awards to students who reach certain speed goals once they start school.”

In addition, both Conroy and Martin highlight aid programs offered by CCAC, emphasizing the importance of exploring school-specific aid opportunities in conjunction with those provided by nationwide court reporting entities.

Tips for borrowing responsibly

Before you enroll in or take out a loan for a court reporting program, consider these tips:

Estimate your return on investment (ROI)

“When financing education, student borrowers should prioritize their future financial health,” says Bruce McClary, senior vice president of membership and communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. “They should research anticipated salaries in their field and aim to borrow amounts that their expected income can realistically repay.”

Exhaust free money first

McClary also advises students to “always exhaust scholarships and grants before borrowing and ensure their borrowing fits a sensible post-graduation budget.”

Doing so will reduce your overall debt burden and improve your ROI once you complete a court reporting program.

Only borrow what you need

Whenever possible, avoid using loan money to cover lifestyle expenses. Further, evaluate what you can reasonably afford to pay out of pocket before taking out a loan for the full cost of your program.

Understand repayment terms

Make sure you have a thorough understanding of your loan terms, including when payments begin and what options you may have for deferment in the event of financial hardship.