New Opportunity: Financial Assistance for Apprentices
April 8, 2025
At a glance
JFF announces the launch of the National Apprentice Fund, a $2 million initiative that will provide financial assistance directly to apprentices to increase program completion rates. Learn how to apply below.
The Opportunity: National Apprentice Fund
Research has shown that financial barriers are a primary reason why apprentices don’t complete their apprenticeship programs. In April 2025, Jobs for the Future (JFF), with support from Google.org, launched the National Apprentice Fund (NAF) to address this barrier. The fund will offer financial assistance to participants in U.S. Registered Apprenticeship programs who are having trouble paying their expenses while participating in the training. The NAF will focus on supporting apprentices in occupations in new and emerging industries, such as health care and technology, that haven’t traditionally used apprenticeships as a talent development model.
Are you an apprentice who’s currently experiencing financial barriers affecting your ability to complete a Registered Apprenticeship program? You may be eligible to receive a one-time monetary award through the NAF.
To learn more about the program, join an informational session that JFF will host on April 30, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET.
It’s not uncommon for people to experience financial challenges when they pursue education or training to gain new skills so they can advance in their careers. Financial burdens vary from person to person, but they can include the cost of the tools or equipment they need to pursue their training or bills for essentials like transportation, child care, and housing. By reducing those kinds of financial stresses and enabling more people to complete Registered Apprenticeships, the NAF aims to help build a stronger U.S. workforce.
What We Offer
JFF will manage the National Apprentice Fund, a $2 million initiative that will provide financial support directly to apprentices. Through the NAF, JFF will:
- Provide 750 apprentices with individual awards of $2,800 per person.
- Prioritize apprentices in growing sectors of the economy that pay competitive wages and offer opportunities for upward career mobility, including advanced manufacturing, health care, technology, clean energy, and education.
- Assess the fund’s impact on apprentice outcomes, including retention, completion, and job placement, through a comprehensive evaluation of and ongoing communication with the people who receive funding.
Award Timeline
April 8, 2025: The NAF application period opens and apprentices may begin submitting applications for support. JFF will review applications on a rolling basis, beginning our reviews of applications within two or three weeks of submission and notifying applicants of our decisions shortly thereafter.
April 30, 2025: JFF holds a national launch event on National Apprenticeship Day, where apprentices can learn about the NAF, why it’s important, and how to apply.
November 2026: The NAF will close in November 2026, or whenever the funds run out, whichever comes first.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for NAF support, you must be:
- Currently enrolled in a Registered Apprenticeship program
- Age 18 or older
- Experiencing financial barriers that may impact your ability to complete your apprenticeship
Organizations are welcome to refer eligible apprentices to the NAF. If you represent an employer, a community-based organization, or another Registered Apprenticeship provider or program partner, please use this link to access a form you can use to refer individuals who may be interested.
Expectations of NAF Recipients
To qualify to receive funding through the NAF, you will need to do the following:
- Complete an application: Applicants will be asked a series of questions about their apprenticeship programs and will be required to respond to narrative questions focused on how financial barriers may be affecting their ability to complete their apprenticeship.
- Provide documentation: To ensure that the disbursements align with the NAF’s objectives, apprentices will need to submit documentation to verify their identity, age, and apprenticeship program status. Acceptable forms of identification include but are not limited to a driver’s license, a passport, a current apprenticeship agreement (Form ETA 671), an official registration document from their state’s apprenticeship office, or a letter from an employer confirming that the applicant is an apprentice.
- Remain in their programs and work toward completion: Recipients of NAF funds will be required to remain enrolled in their Registered Apprenticeship programs and make reasonable efforts to complete their training. They will also be required to provide information to the JFF team about their completion.
- Participate in a program evaluation: Recipients might be asked to complete surveys, participate in focus groups, and offer other forms of feedback to help JFF assess the NAF’s impact and help improve future iterations of the program.
Register for Info Session to Learn More
JFF will be hosting informational sessions for anyone who wants to ask questions and learn more about the NAF, including details about application process and the goals of the initiative. Our first information session and national launch is April 30, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET – on National Apprenticeship Day. We will update this list as new sessions are added.
How to Apply
- First, be sure to review NAF eligibility criteria and expectations above.
- Register for the information session that JFF will host on April 30, 2025, to learn more.
- Gather the required documentation to verify your identity and age, such as a driver’s license, a passport, and your apprenticeship status, such as an apprenticeship agreement (Form ETA 671) or an official registration document from your state’s apprenticeship office.
- Apply using our Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant online application platform. A section of the application requires written responses regarding barriers you may face that could limit your ability to complete your apprenticeship. When you get to this section, we recommend drafting your responses in a separate document first and then pasting it into the application when it’s complete, because you won’t be able to save uncompleted work in the application form and submit it later. Organizations are welcome to refer eligible apprentices to the NAF. If you represent an employer, a community-based organization, or another Registered Apprenticeship provider or program partner, please use this link to access a form you can use to refer individuals who may be interested.
- Read through your application thoroughly before clicking “submit.” JFF is reviewing applications on a rolling basis through November 2026, or whenever the funds run out, whichever comes first. We review applications within two or three weeks of submission and respond with our decisions shortly thereafter.
Measuring Outcomes
JFF will track participants’ demographic data, program continuation rates, and program completion rates. We will use this information to prepare a robust outcome evaluation that will include the following:
- Quantitative analysis: An assessment of short-term outcomes, including wage-gains and credential attainment.
- Qualitative analysis: Findings from the feedback apprentices provided in surveys and focus group conversations.
- Reporting: A comprehensive overview of insights and recommendations that we will share with stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Apprentice Fund (NAF), and who is eligible to apply?
The NAF provides financial support of $2,800 per person to help apprentices complete their training by covering expenses for things like tools, transportation, child care, housing, and certification fees. Current Registered Apprentices who are 18 years or older are encouraged to apply. JFF is seeking to support current apprentices working to build in-demand skills to prepare for work in fast-growing fields that offer competitive pay and opportunities for career growth, including education, technology, health care, and advanced manufacturing.
If I represent an employer or other organization that runs a Registered Apprenticeship or partners with an apprenticeship program, can I refer individuals that I believe are a good fit for the National Apprentice Fund?
Yes! Please complete this form to refer an apprentice.
How can I apply for financial assistance through the NAF?
The application process is simple and accessible, conducted through an ADA-compliant online platform. Applicants must provide documentation outlining their need for funds, the amount they’re requesting, and details of their apprenticeships. After submitting their applications, they will receive an email that confirms that the application was received and provide information about next steps. Click here to apply.
When will the application process begin, and how long will the fund be active?
Applications will open nationally on April 8, 2025. The NAF will remain active until the funds are exhausted.
What documentation will I need to provide?
Apprentices will need to provide documentation verifying their identity and age, such as a driver’s license, a state or college ID card, or a passport. They will also need to provide documentation verifying their apprenticeship program status, such as current apprenticeship agreement (Form ETA 671) or official registration documents from their state’s apprenticeship office. Applicants will also be asked to share a narrative description about how they will use the NAF funds and how the money will help them succeed in their apprenticeship.
How will I know if my application has been approved, and when can I expect the funds?
Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt when they submit their applications, and if they are awarded funding, they will receive commitment letters. Applications are reviewed within two or three weeks of submission, and applicants will be notified of the decision shortly thereafter. Applicants will need to submit all required documents prior to receiving funds. Financial support will be disbursed on a rolling basis until November 2026, or until NAF funds run out, whichever comes first.
Questions? Contact Us
If you have questions about the National Apprentice Fund, would like to find out if you’re a good fit for this program, or need information related to logistics surrounding the application process or information sessions, please contact nationalapprenticefund@jff.org