Financial aid for career training: grants, scholarships, and payment plans
DWC has helped adult learners pay for career training since 2006. Every certificate program is eligible for at least one funding path, from WIOA and Vocational Rehabilitation grants to DWC scholarships, veteran and community discounts, and Climb Credit payment plans.
- Training careers nationwide since 2006
- Free advisor help with every option
Find your path
Which funding option is right for you?
Find the line that sounds most like you. Most students combine options, such as a grant or scholarship plus a payment plan, and an advisor helps you layer them.
Start with WIOA grant funding. Your local workforce center decides eligibility, and approval takes time, so start early.
Contact your state Vocational Rehabilitation office. VR can often be more flexible than WIOA.
Apply for a DWC scholarship: the Tech Skills or Women and Tech Scholarship covers 25% to 100% of tuition.
Review the Next Mission Scholarship first: 80% off standard tuition. If you do not meet its criteria, the Community Heroes Discount may apply.
The Community Heroes Discount takes 40% off tuition after your role is verified.
Ask your employer about tuition reimbursement, or spread payments with Climb Credit, including 0% interest over 12 months.
Compare your options
Every way to pay for DWC training, side by side
Use this table to compare funding at a glance, then read the details below.
| Option | Who it is for | What it covers | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| WIOA | Unemployed, underemployed, and dislocated workers who qualify | Approved training through your local workforce center | WIOA details |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | Adults with a documented disability and an employment goal | Training funded by your state VR agency | VR details |
| Tech Skills Scholarship | Job seekers, career changers, and upskillers | 25% to 100% of tuition | See eligibility |
| Women and Tech Scholarship | Women building a career in technology | 25% to 100% of tuition | See eligibility |
| Next Mission Scholarship | Eligible veterans and service members | 80% off standard tuition | See eligibility |
| Community Heroes Discount | Nurses, teachers, firefighters, police, and first responders | 40% off tuition | See the discount |
| Climb Credit payment plans | Anyone covering tuition or a remaining balance | 0% for 12 months, or loans over 36 months | Compare plans |
| Employer billing | Employees whose company pays for training | DWC invoices your employer directly | Employer billing |
Workforce grants
WIOA grant funding
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds training for people who are unemployed, underemployed, or dislocated. Funding flows through your local workforce center as an Individual Training Account, and DWC is an approved provider on the Eligible Training Provider List in multiple states.
Learn how WIOA works step by step or download our free WIOA participant guide.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) funding
State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies fund training for adults with a documented disability who have an employment goal. Live online classes, small class sizes, class recordings after each session, and one-on-one career coaching fit what VR counselors look for. The Blueprint Basic Digital Literacy program can be tailored for VR clients.
Read our Vocational Rehabilitation guide for students. For DVR case managers: refer a client here.
Payment plans
Climb Credit payment plans
Spread tuition into monthly payments through Climb Credit, a lender built for career training. Checking your options uses a soft credit check that does not affect your score, and all plans carry a $100 registration fee.
| Plan | Payments | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0% interest financing | 12 equal monthly payments, starting the first day of class | 0% APR |
| Climb Loan | 36 equal monthly payments | 13.99% to 26.24% APR |
| Interest-only period | Interest-only payments for the first 6 months in class, then 30 months of principal and interest | 13.99% to 26.24% APR |
| $20 initial payment period | $20 per month for the first 6 months in class, then 30 months of principal and interest; interest accrues from funding and is added to the principal | 14.15% to 26.24% APR |
APRs range from 13.99% to 26.24% depending on the loan product; for 81.50% of Climb loans, APRs are below 19%. Final approval is subject to Climb Credit underwriting. Loans are originated by Climb Investco, LLC.
DWC scholarships
Scholarships that reduce your tuition
DWC scholarships lower your tuition directly. They are not loans, and you can combine one with a Climb Credit payment plan. Attend an advisor info session and submit an application before review; an independent scholarship committee makes each award decision within 14 days. You may apply for one scholarship.
Tech Skills Scholarship
25% to 100% of tuitionFor unemployed individuals, dislocated workers, and anyone looking to upskill, reskill, or add new technology skills.
See eligibility and details
Women and Tech Scholarship
25% to 100% of tuitionFor women looking to reskill, upskill, or build a career in technology.
See eligibility and details
Next Mission Scholarship
80% off standard tuitionFor eligible veterans and service members within 180 days of separation.
See eligibility and applyDiscounts
Veteran and community discounts
Community Heroes Discount
A 40% tuition reduction for active nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. It is applied after your role is verified and can be combined with a Climb Credit payment plan, but not with other DWC discounts or scholarships. Veterans who do not meet the Next Mission criteria may also qualify.
Next Mission Scholarship
An 80% tuition reduction for eligible veterans and service members within 180 days of separation. Eligibility includes separation within the last 7 years, an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge, and individual annual income between $30,000 and $75,000. You submit documentation, including a DD-214 and proof of income, and an independent scholarship committee makes a decision within 14 days. The remaining 20% is financed through Climb Credit or paid to DWC in installments, depending on the program.
More options
Additional funding paths
Every situation is different. Ask your advisor about these, or read about LIGHTR grants.
Employer tuition reimbursement
Many employers pay for job-related training. DWC invoices your company directly and provides the paperwork for reimbursement.
State and local grants
Some states fund training outside WIOA, and some regions offer grants for small businesses and their employees, such as LIGHTR grants for businesses with 2 to 50 employees.
529 education plans
Some 529 plans can be used for eligible training. Check with your plan administrator before you enroll.
"...helped me secure additional funding. The certificates I earned helped me compete in a very tight job market, leading to a major salary increase when I landed a job. Outstanding return on investment, I highly recommend DWC."
Included with tuition
Support every step of the way
Guidance from your first question to graduation, included for every student at no additional cost.
Admissions advisors
From your first question through your first class, an advisor walks you through eligibility, funding, and scheduling.
Instructor mentoring
Your instructor is your mentor before, during, and after class, helping you become industry-ready.
Student support
A student support team helps you set up accounts, check your technology, and get class files.
Career coaching
Meet one-on-one with a career coach on your resume, LinkedIn, portfolio, job search, and interviews.
Tech support
Stuck mid-program? Reach tech support by Slack, email, or phone and get moving again.
Internships and alumni
Join the Parker Dewey micro-internship network for real project experience, plus the DWC alumni community.
FAQ
Financial aid questions, answered
Still have questions? Attend a free info session or call 970-980-8091.
Can WIOA pay for a Digital Workshop Center certificate program?
Yes, in states where DWC programs are on the Eligible Training Provider List. Your local workforce center decides eligibility, and DWC can supply the paperwork your case manager needs.
How do I apply for Vocational Rehabilitation funding?
Contact your state Vocational Rehabilitation office. A counselor reviews your disability documentation and employment goal, then may build an Individualized Plan for Employment that includes DWC training.
What credit score do I need for Climb Credit?
There is no published minimum. Climb uses its own underwriting, and many students with limited credit history qualify. Checking your options uses a soft credit check that does not affect your score.
Do I have to pay anything before starting a payment plan?
Yes. Every Climb Credit plan carries a one-time $100 registration fee, and your first payment is due before class registration is finalized.
Can I combine scholarships with a payment plan?
Yes. A DWC scholarship reduces your balance, and a Climb Credit plan can finance the rest. The Community Heroes Discount works the same way, but it cannot be combined with other DWC discounts or scholarships.
How long does a scholarship decision take?
An independent scholarship committee reviews every DWC scholarship application, including the Next Mission Scholarship. An award decision can take up to 14 days.
What if I'm in a state where DWC isn't WIOA-approved?
Private-pay students can enroll from any state. Depending on the state process, DWC may be able to work with local workforce boards to add programs to that state list.
How long does it take to get approved for WIOA funding?
It varies from a few weeks to several months. Students who arrive with a clear career goal, job postings, and program information tend to move faster, and DWC provides documentation on request.
Does DWC accept GI Bill benefits?
Not at this time. DWC is not approved for GI Bill benefits, but eligible veterans and service members may qualify for the Next Mission Scholarship, which takes 80% off standard tuition. Contact Admissions with questions about other VA benefits.
Is career coaching included in the program cost?
Yes. Career coaching is included at no extra charge, whatever your funding source. Coaching covers resumes, portfolios, LinkedIn, interview prep, and job search strategy.
Find the funding that fits you.
Schedule a free, no-pressure info session. An advisor will walk you through every option you qualify for and help you combine them.
Climb Credit loans are originated by Climb Investco, LLC and are private loans, not federal student loans. APRs range from 13.99% to 26.24% depending on the loan product; for 81.50% of Climb loans, APRs are below 19%. All plans carry a $100 registration fee. Checking your options uses a soft credit check; final approval is subject to underwriting. DWC scholarships are determined by an independent scholarship committee, award decisions can take up to 14 days, and awards are not guaranteed. Class start timing depends on enrollment and cannot be guaranteed.