Trade Schools in Rhode Island

Trade school students in Rhode Island enjoy numerous benefits, including the opportunity to be career-ready immediately after graduation. This way, they can begin their careers and quickly take advantage of growth opportunities.

The state also makes the journey easier by providing a straightforward pathway and making some financial assistance programs available to help students with their education costs.

Below, we will look at some of these financial aid initiatives, but the scope of the article goes beyond that. Candidates will also discover other important topics of focus, including accreditation agencies, relevant costs, and a comprehensive list of some of the most notable trade schools in Rhode Island.

Average Cost of Trade Schools in Rhode Island

The average cost of attending a trade school in Rhode Island will depend on a lot of factors, including the following:

• Location - The location of a trade school greatly influences its tuition and education costs. Schools in urban areas are typically more expensive than those in rural areas.

• Duration - Programs completed faster will typically be more affordable than those requiring a longer completion time.

• Specialty - Highly specialized programs are more expensive than less specialized ones. This is in part because they require special equipment that is quite expensive.

• Variety - A school offering a wide variety of programs will typically be more expensive than schools focusing on just a few programs.

Other notable factors are the profit status, financial aid options, and accreditation status. As for exact estimates, we can provide a projection based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics and various trade schools in the area.

From these sources, we estimate the following figures.

• Total average cost of attending a trade school in Rhode Island - $6,000 - $28,000;
• Average tuition costs - $4,000 - $20,000;
• Books and materials - $500 - $1,200;
• Accommodation - $700 - $1,200.

Financial Aid for Trade Schools in Rhode Island

Candidates in Rhode Island who can maintain a specific GPA may qualify for certain financial aid programs. Students in financial need may also qualify for a few of these programs, even without particular academic achievements.

Below, we explore some of the most prominent financial aid initiatives for trade school students in Rhode Island.

• Rhode Island Foundation Scholarships - offers several scholarships and fellowships for trade school students in the state. Requirements may vary depending on the exact scholarship.

• Nursing Foundation of Rhode Island Scholarship - This scholarship applies to students in Rhode Island enrolled in a nursing program. While it welcomes applications from students from overstate schooling in Rhode Island, state residents receive preference.

• Carlotta Welles Scholarship - offers up to $500 for students enrolled in an Occupational Therapy associate degree program. The American Occupational Therapy Foundation awards it.

• Notable Mentions - Other notable mentions include the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund, offering support for women 35 and older, and the Mildred Sorensen National Scholarship, offering up to $1,000 for students enrolled in a technical education program.

Licensing and Accreditation for Trade Schools in Rhode Island

Before enrolling in a trade school program, candidates in Rhode Island are expected to confirm accreditation. They are expected to do this on two levels: the institutional accreditation confirmation and the programmatic accreditation confirmation.

Institutional accreditation confirmation means that the relevant agencies in charge of such affairs have accredited the school.

Currently, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges are some agencies responsible for accrediting schools in Rhode Island. The difference, however, is that while the former is responsible for regional accreditation, the latter is responsible for national accreditation.

Programmatic accreditation means that the program offered by the school is also accredited. A school can be accredited, but some programs they offer still need to be accredited.

Both institutional and programmatic accreditation are important for easier employment, high educational standards, and access to financial aid.

Top Vocational Trade Schools in Rhode Island

Aspiring trade school students in Rhode Island may consider any of the options below.

Notable Mentions

Other notable mentions include

• The New England Tractor Trailer Training School in Cranston,
• Rhode Island School of Massage Therapy in Warwick,
• The Academy of Hair Design in Cranston and Warwick,
• North Providence Career and Technical Center in North Providence, and
• The RI Hospitality Education and Training Center in Providence.