How much money will it cost to earn a CTE certificate?

If you’re currently incarcerated:

In a federal prison,[2830] California state prison,[2831] or California county jail,[2832] any CTE programs available should be provided at no cost to you (including necessary materials and credentialing fees).

NOTE: While CTE programs are generally offered at no cost, if you have a high balance in your trust account, your facility may decide to deduct some or all of the cost of the program from your account.[2833]

If you’re formerly incarcerated:

Your costs will vary based on your school, program, and course load. If you’re a resident of the state where you enroll, the cheapest options will likely be programs offered at community colleges or technical colleges, which are public schools. Average tuition and fees per year are about $4,000 for in-state students at public 2-year colleges, compared to about $15,000 at private 2-year colleges.[2834] (See PG. 849 for tips on avoiding private schools that may be scams.)

NOTE: Some schools and programs offer financial aid for low-income students. Check with each school and program about overall costs, fee waivers, and financial aid.[2835] For more information on fee waivers and financial aid, see Paying for Your Education, starting on PG. 881.

  1. 2830

    U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Program Statement 5300.21, Education, Training, and Leisure Time Program Standards (Feb. 18, 2002); U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, A Directory of Bureau of Prisons’ National Programs (May 2014); Education Programs, U.S. Dep’t Justice Fed. Bureau of Prisons, Custody & Care: Education Programs, www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/education.jsp.

  2. 2831

    Cal. Dep’t Corr. & Rehab., Operations Manual, 101010.1–101010.4 (2015); CTE Programs, Cal. Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab.,Div. of Rehabilitative Programs, www.cdcr.ca.gov/rehabilitation/career-technical-education.html.

  3. 2832

    Cal. Veh. Code § 1900 et seq.; Adult Education Program Overview, Cal. Dep’t of Educ., www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/po/.

  4. 2833

    Interview with Carmen Garcia, Legal Administrative Assistant, Root & Rebound (April 15, 2015).

  5. 2834

    See Fed. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Certificates: A Fast Track to Career, Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Winter 2012-13) at 12-13.

  6. 2835

    Cal. Veh. Code §§ 52501- 52503; Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5 § 10560; Adult Education Program Overview, Cal. Dep’t of Educ., www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ae/po/; Frequently Asked Questions, Cal. Adult Schools, www.californiaadultschools.org/cas/news/45-school-stories/118-faq.