Student Loans and Financial Aid for Welding School in 2025

Welding professionals are expected to be in high demand as more workers retire over the next few years. The American Welding Society (AWS) projects a shortage of 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029. If you're interested in getting into a high-demand trade quickly, you might consider going to welding school.

This guide explores how to pay for a welding certificate, including the best student loans and financial aid options to consider.

Current private student loan rates

Can I get a student loan for welding school?

If your school is accredited under the Title IV program by the Department of Education, you may qualify for federal student loans and other types of federal aid. You can check your school's accreditation status using the Department of Education's search tool.

Some private lenders also offer student loans for trade school or vocational training, including welding. However, not all schools are eligible, so you'll need to confirm with the lender before applying.

Federal student loans for welding school

To access federal loans for welding students, you'll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on your FAFSA answers, your school's financial aid office will determine whether you're eligible for one or more of the following federal loans:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: These loans are exclusively available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans are available to undergraduates, graduates, and professional students regardless of financial need.
• Direct PLUS Loans: These loans are available to graduate and professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students.

Welding certificate programs are usually short, with some lasting as little as six months. This can impact how much federal aid you're eligible to receive.

“Welding is typically a shorter program, which means that there's less Title IV available for that program, because the formula that calculates eligibility for Pell Grants and federal student loans depends on the length of the program,” says Chris Biddle, vice president of financial aid operations at Lincoln Technical Institute.

“Just like a bachelor's program qualifies for more than an associate program, it's based on weeks of instruction and contact hours,” he adds.

Even though shorter programs may qualify for less aid, Biddle notes they often come with a lower overall cost and can lead to faster employment.

See Also: Best Private Student Loan Lenders of 2025

Private student loans for welding training programs

If your welding program isn't eligible for federal aid, a private student loan could help cover the cost. Some lenders, like Ascent, Sallie Mae, and College Ave, offer loans specifically for associate degrees and career training programs. Just be sure your school is on the lender's approved list before applying.

Private student loans require a credit check, unlike federal loans. Interest rates may be fixed or variable, and your rate depends on factors like your credit score and income. If you don't meet a lender's credit requirements, you may need a cosigner with stronger credit to qualify.

Scholarships and grants for welding school

The best way to pay for welding school is with scholarships and grants, since you don't have to repay them.

You may qualify for federal grants, like the Pell Grant, if you're an undergraduate student with exceptional financial need. Some states also offer their own programs. For example, California provides the Cal Grant C Award to eligible students enrolled in occupational or technical programs.

You can also apply for scholarships through industry organizations, such as:

• The American Welding Society (AWS): The AWS national scholarship award ranges from $2,500 to $10,000 or more for students who are pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree in welding.
• The mikeroweWORKS Foundation: The mikeroweWORKS Foundation offers scholarships to students enrolled in trade schools, with the goal of helping cover training costs for in-demand skilled jobs.

“Mike Rowe has been a great champion for the skill trades and for trade schools for well over a decade now,” says Biddle.

“We've had several students at Lincoln Technical Institute get the mikeroweWORKS Scholarship. I've seen $5,000 and $10,000 awards through his organization to our students.”

More financial aid for welding school

In addition to loans, grants, and scholarships, here are other ways to cover the cost of welding school:

• Local workforce development funds: Some states or local municipalities have dedicated development funds to support businesses that hire new trainees or workers looking to upgrade their professional skills.
• GI Bill benefits: If you're a veteran, service member, National Guard or Reserve member, or a qualified dependent, you can use your GI Bill benefits toward welding school.
• Apprenticeships: A welding apprenticeship can offer paid, hands-on training or tuition sponsorships for welding school.
• Employer-sponsored tuition support: If you're currently working, ask your employer or union about tuition reimbursement or training benefits for career advancement.

Welding school costs

The cost of welding school depends on the program and type of credential you're pursuing. Here's what you can expect to pay on average for different types of welding training:

Salary outlook for welders

Welders earn a median annual wage of $51,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% make more than $75,850 per year.

However, your actual earnings can vary based on your location, experience, industry, and specialization. Here's a look at average salaries across several welding-related industries:

• Metal ore mining: $78,540
• Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution: $65,010
• Aerospace product and parts manufacturing: $58,020
• Motor vehicle manufacturing: $56,990
• Machinery manufacturing: $49,350
• Fabricated metal product manufacturing: $45,940
• Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: $43,740

Welding also offers long-term job stability, as demand is expected to grow due to aging infrastructure and an aging workforce.

“Everything's aging — our buildings are aging, our roads are aging, our bridges are aging, so we definitely need welders out there,” says ​​Jennifer Hash, vice president of career services at Lincoln Technical Institute.