All too often, one of the biggest barriers to education is cost. And though a program like a heavy equipment training school can provide for many people a career-building education at a comparatively low price, the need to make that initial investment can nevertheless still be daunting. So, how much does heavy equipment training cost, and what are some options for how to pay for it? Below, we have a breakdown of paying for your heavy equipment school.
Heavy equipment training cost
Enrolling in a heavy equipment training program typically costs between $4,000–$15,000, depending on where the program is located and any potential specializations you may be pursuing. Additionally, an apprenticeship — offered through community colleges, industry associations, technical schools, or trade unions — can cost up to $5,000.
There are a few other things you’ll want to consider besides just the cost of the program, though. In addition to tuition, you may find that you also need to pay for additional tools and books, as well certification tests following the completion of your program:
- Supplies and safety equipment can cost between $500–$5,000.
- Certification varies by state and can cost between $75–$200 per test.
Finally, there’s a third cost you’ll want to consider — living expenses. Though heavy equipment programs on average take three to eight weeks to complete, you still may be faced with reduced income while undergoing training. If that’s the case, you’ll want to be sure you have enough money saved up to cover expenses such rent, utilities, groceries, or transportation.
Training programs typically take less than 1 year to complete,
and some can take as little as 3 weeks!
How to pay for heavy equipment training
Upfront, in full
If you have enough money saved up to cover your program’s tuition, any necessary supplies, and living expenses such as rent and groceries, paying out of pocket is your best option. While this method does require the highest upfront cost, you won’t owe any money in interest, there’s no credit check, and you won’t have to worry about remembering to make monthly payments. Since the average heavy equipment program can cost up to $15,000, look around to see if there are any scholarships available that can help ease the tuition amount!
Government-sponsored programs
Some schools are able to offer funding from certain government programs. These can include the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which provides grants and scholarships for technical schools; the GI Bill®, which provides benefits including tuition and living expense funding for veterans and service members; and more. Reach out to your school to see if they have any government-sponsored programs, and whether you may be eligible!
Pay-as-you-go payment plan
For those who are unable to pay the full tuition cost upfront, some schools offer payment plan options. This allows students to make several smaller payments over the duration of the program, in order to lessen the upfront cost. It includes no credit check and no interest — so you’ll ultimately pay less than you would with a loan. However, payments are spread over a much shorter period of time than other financing options, so although you’ll pay less overall, your monthly payments will be higher.
Student loan
A student loan can be a good choice for students who need to make the smallest monthly payments, rather than larger payments or all upfront. While not all heavy equipment schools offer federal student loans, private student loans may still be available. Depending on the loan terms available for your program, you may have the option of full deferral, interest-only deferral, or immediate full repayment.
Climb partners with several welding schools for financing, and we only perform a hard credit pull once a loan is funded. So, you can submit an application to check out our options with no impact to your credit score!
There are some things you’ll want to keep in mind, though. Most loans come with an interest rate, which means you’ll ultimately end up paying more than the tuition amount. Your credit will also be pulled once loan funds are sent, so your credit score may be impacted. At the end of the day, you’ll need to consider what works best for your situation — smaller monthly payments while paying more overall, or higher monthly payments while paying less overall.
Heavy equipment training can cost between $4,000
and $15,000 on average!
Want to know more about paying for your heavy equipment training with Climb?
