Job Corps

What this actually is

The nation’s largest free residential career training and education programme for low-income young adults. Free means free: training in fields like manufacturing, healthcare, technology and construction, plus housing, meals, basic medical care and a living allowance, at no cost to the student. For someone aged 16 to 24 with nowhere to live and no income, this is one of the very few doors in this entire list that provides housing and training at the same time. It is not a loan and there is no tuition debt at the end.

Who qualifies, and what trips people up

Ages 16 to 24, low income. Centres are residential but some students attend non-residentially. Admission is through a Job Corps admissions counsellor rather than an online-only process, and placement depends on which centres have capacity in which trades — be flexible about location. Check current centre availability before making plans, as the centre network changes.