My School Does Not Offer Financial Aid

Q: I am applying for a school that doesn’t offer financial aid. The course is a six week, certificate-type program which I am unable to pay for out-of-pocket. Is there any way to get financial aid for these types of programs, even if the student does not have good credit? I have qualified for FAFSA in the past, and used it when I was going to school for my Associate of Applied Science, but the school where I am taking my upcoming program does not offer financial aid and I don’t know how to pay for it?

A: It’s essential to be proactive and thorough in your search for financial aid options. Start early, research extensively, and explore all available avenues to fund your education while minimizing the need for loans or debt. There are some schools or certification programs that do not offer financial aid and/or are not accredited. If this is the case, here are a few things you can do:

1. Check to see if the school or college may offer a deferred payment plan where you can pay tuition in installments. If this is available, it allows the student to make small payments, instead of having to come up with one large lump sum of money.

For a full walkthrough of the FAFSA form, timelines, and what to expect, see our step-by-step overview on FAFSA and Financial Aid.

2. Check with your employer (and some branches of the military, if this applies to you) to see if they offer tuition assistance. If the program is needed for work, or could benefit your employer, they may be willing to sponsor you for the program, or they may already have a tuition reimbursement program in place.

3. Research External Scholarships. Many organizations, companies, foundations, and community groups offer scholarships to students based on various criteria such as academic merit, financial need, extracurricular activities, ethnicity, or intended field of study. Spend time researching and applying for external scholarships that you may be eligible for. Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and the College Board’s Scholarship Search can help you find scholarship opportunities.

4. Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This part is very important to clarify:

• FAFSA can only be used at schools that participate in federal aid programs.
• Short programs (like a six-week certificate) usually do NOT qualify for federal aid unless they meet strict requirements.
• The school must be accredited and offer an eligible program — most short, non-degree certificates are not.

CollegeWhale Tip: If the school does not participate in Title IV federal aid, FAFSA funds cannot be used there—even if you personally qualify. You should still complete the FAFSA if you might attend a financial-aid-eligible school in the future, but it will not pay for most non-accredited short-term programs.

5. Consider Federal Work-Study. Work-study is only available if the school participates in federal financial aid programs. If your school does not offer federal aid, they cannot offer federal work-study. However, ask if they have non-federal campus jobs or student worker positions.

6. Explore State Aid Programs. Some states offer workforce grants or training funding for short-term programs, especially in high-demand fields. Check with your state workforce office, community college system, or Department of Labor. These funds may apply even when federal aid does not.

7. Look into Private Student Loans. If you’ve exhausted all other options for funding your education, you may consider applying for private student loans from banks, credit unions, or other private lenders. Private student loans typically have higher interest rates and less favorable terms compared to federal student loans, so it’s essential to borrow responsibly and explore all other avenues for financial aid before turning to private loans.
Some lenders will fund short certificate programs even when FAFSA will not.

8. Seek Alternative Funding Sources. Explore alternative sources of funding such as crowdfunding platforms, employer tuition assistance programs, educational benefits for military service members and veterans, or community-based organizations that provide financial assistance to students.

9. Negotiate with the School. While some schools may not offer institutional financial aid, it’s still worth reaching out to the financial aid or bursar’s office to inquire about any available resources or options for financial assistance. In some cases, schools may have emergency funds or discretionary aid that can be awarded on a case-by-case basis.

10. Consider Transferring to a Different School. If financial aid options are limited at your current school, you may explore transferring to another institution that offers more generous financial aid packages or has lower tuition costs. This can be especially helpful if you need an accredited program that qualifies for federal aid.