Job Corps — Free Career Training for Ages 16–24
Job Corps serves people ages 16 through 24 who meet low-income eligibility rules (household income if you're a dependent, or your own income if independent). It's fully federally funded and free to students, offering career/technical training and education across more than 120 campuses, with some campuses offering on-site housing, meals, basic healthcare and a living allowance.
Last verified Sep 25, 2026 · Not affiliated with U.S. Department of Labor
The quick version
- When
- Ongoing — rolling enrollment
- Where
- Nationwide (120+ campuses)
- Cost
- Free career/technical training and education; may include housing, meals, basic healthcare and a living allowance
- Who it's for
- Low-income individuals ages 16–24 — apply by creating a MyJobCorps account at jobcorps.gov.
The fine print worth knowing before you go
- 1
It's ages 16–24, not '1–24'
If you've seen it described differently, the correct federal eligibility range is 16 through 24 years old.
- 2
Income eligibility depends on your household situation
If you're a dependent living with parents, their income is counted; if you're independent, only your own income counts.
A real, currently active, completely free option for 16–24-year-olds who want career training — and some campuses cover housing and meals too.
The Fine Print is not affiliated with U.S. Department of Labor. This page is research to help you prepare, not legal or financial advice. Details can change, so confirm everything with the official source before you rely on it.
Sources
Last verified Sep 25, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.