Deadline calendar

Built from the listings, as of Oct 17, 2026. Dates come from the provider pages linked on each listing. Times matter: for example, the mikeroweWORKS deadline is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Confirm every date on the provider's site.

Fixed dates still ahead

Rolling or ongoing

• Free community college (MassReconnect + MassEducate) (MA): No single state deadline: Mass.gov says awards are made by each college at enrollment through the year. Each college sets its own admission deadlines (for example, MassBay's page lists Aug 28, 2026 for Fall 2026 and says it is accepting Spring, Summer and Fall 2027 applications).
• Maine Free College Scholarship (community colleges) (ME): Enroll no later than Summer 2027 (2024 graduates), Summer 2028 (2025 graduates), Summer 2029 (2026 graduates), per MCCS.
• Mary Ann Handley Award (formerly PACT): debt-free tuition at CT State Community College (CT): CT's student aid page says apply by July 15 for priority; later applicants can still apply, especially for spring, while funds last.
• Rhode Island Promise (free CCRI right after high school) (RI): Tied to the term right after graduation.
• CCRI Momentum Scholarship (two free classes for returning adults) (RI): The page says the scholarship is currently offered for the Fall 2026 semester; check CCRI for later terms.
• Vermont Advancement Grant (short-term, non-degree career training) (VT): For classes starting Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027, while funding lasts (first-come, first-served per VSAC). VSAC's FAQ says you can still apply for a course you already finished if it began in the funded year.
• WorkReadyNH (free professional-skills course) (NH): Ongoing; class schedules are posted by the colleges.
• WIOA and WorkNowNH tuition help at NH community colleges (NH): Ongoing; talk to a Career Navigator before enrolling. Some funding requires enrollment in the state program before classes start (a Reddit commenter in r/skilledtrades said the same; confirm with the program).
• Become an apprentice in Massachusetts (state Division of Apprentice Standards) (MA): Each recruitment sets its own dates; see the state's list.
• Massachusetts Building Trades union apprenticeship directory (MA): Varies by trade and local; see each program.
• Building Pathways pre-apprenticeship (free, construction trades) (MA): Information sessions held regularly through the year; sign up on the program page.
• Emerge Career free HVAC, diesel and CDL training (via MassHire Central) (MA): See each program page for dates.
• MassHire Central free training catalog (Worcester area) (MA): Each listing links to its own deadlines.
• ApprenticeshipNH (Registered Apprenticeship openings in New Hampshire) (NH): Each opening sets its own dates.
• Maine Apprenticeship Program (find an apprenticeship) (ME): Each employer sets its own dates.
• Vermont Registered Apprenticeship (how to become an apprentice) (VT): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training (CT): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• CareerConneCT (free or low-cost job training) (CT): Ongoing registration.
• Become an apprentice (Rhode Island DLT) (RI): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• Rhode Island free or reduced-cost training (including Real Jobs RI) (RI): Each program recruits on its own schedule.
• Vermont WIOA-funded training (through Vermont Job Centers) (VT): Ongoing; contact a Job Center before enrolling.
• Apprenticeship.gov Apprenticeship Finder (National): Varies by listing.
• American Job Center finder (CareerOneStop) (National): Ongoing.
• Workforce Pell Grants (short-term training, starting July 1, 2026) (National): Ongoing; file the FAFSA and ask the school which programs qualify.
• Apprenticeship.gov: which agency oversees apprenticeships in your state (State Offices and State Apprenticeship Agencies) (National): Not applicable.
• Federal Pell Grant (including Workforce Pell for short-term programs) (National): Complete the FAFSA for each award year; see studentaid.gov for the current deadlines.
• WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Program (job-search and training help through American Job Centers) (National): Ongoing; contact your local American Job Center before enrolling in training.
• California: how to become an apprentice (Division of Apprenticeship Standards program search) (CA): Each program sets its own application schedule.
• California's 45 local workforce development boards (CA): Ongoing.
• America's Job Center of California (AJCC): no-cost job and training services (CA): Ongoing.
• Calbright College: free online career training for California adults (CA): Enroll when ready; coursework starts after meeting with a support counselor.
• ApprenticeshipTexas (Texas Workforce Commission Office of Apprenticeship) (TX): Each employer or sponsor sets its own dates.
• Texas Workforce Solutions offices and the state's 28 local workforce development boards (TX): Ongoing.
• New York: become an apprentice (NYS Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship) (NY): Each sponsor sets its own dates; see Apprenticeship Announcements on the state site.
• New York Career Centers and the state's 33 local workforce development boards (NY): Ongoing.
• SUNY Reconnect: free associate degrees in high-demand fields for adults 25-55 (NY): Page says to find a program now to start this spring; see SUNY for each college's dates.
• Florida apprenticeship: FDOE Office of Apprenticeship and Apprentice Florida (FL): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• CareerSource Florida: 21 local workforce boards and career centers (FL): Ongoing; funding is limited.
• Pennsylvania: find a Registered Apprenticeship (L&I and PA CareerLink) (PA): Each program sets its own dates.
• PA CareerLink and Pennsylvania's 22 local workforce development boards (PA): Ongoing.
• ApprenticeshipNC (North Carolina Community College System) (NC): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• NCWorks Career Centers and local workforce development boards (NC): Ongoing.
• Georgia HOPE Career Grant: free tuition in 18 technical college programs (GA): Ongoing; apply through the financial aid office at a Georgia technical college.
• WorkSource Georgia (WIOA services through 17 local offices) (GA): Ongoing.
• Apprentice Georgia (TCSG): state support for registered apprenticeship sponsors (GA): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• Apprenticeship Illinois (Illinois workNet and the Department of Commerce) (IL): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• Illinois workNet centers and IllinoisJobLink (state-funded training help) (IL): Ongoing.
• Michigan Reconnect: free in-district community college for adults 21+ (MI): Ongoing; see the state page for current terms.
• Michigan Registered Apprenticeship for career seekers (LEO) (MI): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• Michigan Works! service centers (MI): Ongoing.
• New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) (NJ): State aid deadlines stated by HESAA: April 15 (returning TAG recipients) and September 15 (new students and others).
• New Jersey: become an apprentice (NJDOL Office of Apprenticeship) (NJ): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• New Jersey One-Stop Career Centers (every county) (NJ): Ongoing; centers list weekday hours and holiday closures.
• Washington: become an apprentice (L&I Apprenticeship Section and ARTS) (WA): Each program sets its own dates.
• WA Grant for Apprenticeship (WG-A) (WA): 2026-27 application opened July 1, 2026; check WSAC for current dates.
• WorkSource centers (Washington Employment Security Department) (WA): Ongoing.
• Virginia G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back): community college tuition help (VA): Apply through the regular enrollment process at your community college.
• Virginia Works Registered Apprenticeship (VA): Each sponsor sets its own dates.
• Virginia Career Works centers and the Eligible Training Provider List (VA): Ongoing.

Windows that already closed (watch for next cycle)

Many scholarships reopen on a similar calendar each year. These are not guaranteed to repeat.

• DEWALT Trades Scholarship (via SkillPointe) (National): 2026 cycle closed February 28, 2026. Last cycle's window opened in early November; watch for the next one.
• The River Fund Maine Trade Scholarships (western Maine) (ME): 2026 application closed Monday, May 11 (10 PM). Watch for the 2027 window, which opened in April this year.
• ABC Massachusetts Building Our Future Scholarship (MA): 2026 deadline was May 29, 2026 (apprenticeship version for the Gould Construction Institute, and the collegiate version). Check for the 2027 cycle.
• IBEW Local 300 electrical apprenticeship (Vermont) (VT): Annual application window: June 15 to August 1 (2026 window has passed; next expected from June 15, 2027 as stated each year).