Meat-cutting students can obtain grant money through state and federal programs.
Only a limited number of student aid programs offer grants specifically for students pursuing careers as butchers, but there are numerous programs that provide funding for which meat-cutting students can qualify. Certain states have special grant programs for students attending trade schools and the federal government provides some funding for vocational students through the Federal Pell Grant Program. Schools with food science programs often administer scholarship programs for their students and some local foundations provide student aid for residents within their service areas.
Federal Grants
Only the Federal Pell Grant Program offers funding for students attending vocational schools. The Pell Grant awards money to students who have not previously earned a bachelor's degree and recipients do not have to repay funds. According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 5,000 post-secondary educational institutions accept the Pell Grant, which pays a maximum of $5,550 per academic year, as of August 2011. Pell Grant administrators determine awards based on a student's financial need, part- or full-time enrollment, the length of time the applicant attends school and the cost of the applicant's school expenses. Meat-cutting students eligible for Pell Grant funding may qualify for renewable awards throughout their educational program.
Institutional Scholarships
Schools that offer food programs often administer their own scholarships. For instance, Eastern Oklahoma State College offers multiple endowed scholarships for students enrolled in in the school's agriculture division, which includes food science studies. The Oklahoma Independent Meatpackers scholarship program extends eligibility to incoming freshmen enrolled in EOSC's Agriculture Meat Science program. The Robert L. Borden scholarship program offers funding for freshmen agriculture majors and extends a preference to students from Latimer and LeFlore counties in Oklahoma.
State Grants
Some states offer educational grants specifically for students enrolled in trade programs, which may include meat-cutting coursework. For example, the Kansas Board of Regents offers a Vocational Education Scholarship. The program extends eligibility to full-time students enrolled in vocational programs at Kansas community colleges, technical schools and Kansas State University in Salina. Candidates must hold Kansas residency and must enroll in a qualified two-year or certificate program to qualify. The program does not extend eligibility to students pursuing baccalaureate degrees. According to the Kansas Board of Regents, it awards up to 240 Vocational Education Scholarships per year, depending on available funds.
