Financial Aid and Grants - Tuition Payment Options

Student Financial Aid

CDI offers multiple avenues for Financial Assistance to pay for tuition . Federal Financial Aid (Title IV) is available to those who qualify.

Traditional financing is available for all students on approved credit, with interest-only payments while in school.

Please be aware that traditional financing is for tuition only and cannot be used to pay for your application fee, diving physical, required personal equipment, or housing during the program.

Tuition arrangements may be made in-house for students who would like to make payments for the full tuition amount over the course of the 4 month program. A credit check may be required and a cosigner is recommended.

PELL GRANTS & STUDENT LOANS

Federal student aid and other financial aids can be viable options for you, so it is important to educate yourself on the requirements and processes for applying. The team at Commercial Divers International compiled the following resources and links for your reference.

Contact us today if you have any questions along the way. One of our financial and federal student aid specialists would be happy to assist and help you through the process.

To access or sign up for Federal Aid you can click on the link below to fill out the application. A Financial Aid Specialist is happy to assist you, so please contact us today to allow us to answer any questions or walk you through the process.

studentaid.gov
CDI school code- 04291100

Open Student Aid Website

Agency / Tribal Funding

Commercial Divers International proudly works with agencies and we stand ready to assist with your application and any questions the agency may have. We can also provide your counselor or agency representative with voucher or invoices. Please let us know on your application that you are working with a particular agency and we will be glad to interface directly. The Arizona Department of Economic Security provides Vocational Rehabilitation services to Arizona residents.

Full Information

G.I. Bill® and Tuition Assistance

As a military-friendly institution, Commercial Divers International accepts many forms of veterans’ assistance including, but not limited to:

Montgomery GI Bill®
Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Chapter 31 Benefits
Chapter 35 Benefits
Chapter 33/1606
Military Spouse Tuition Assistance

Benefit coverage varies from full to partial tuition assistance. Assistance may be available for books, fees and housing allowances.

Students eligible for VA benefits should contact the Financial Services Department before registration. For GI Bill® students (Chapter 30, 33, 35,and 1606), all transcripts from any other previous college or institution attended will be required and must be submitted before the school will send certification of enrollment to the VA. The Veterans Administration determines eligibility for benefits, and will make payments to students directly upon certification.

Grants

Merit Grant

Commercial Divers International awards grants to students who have achieved academic excellence, have been recognized for industry achievements, and/or are distinguished career changers. Accepted students can contact the Financial Aid department to obtain an application for consideration.

Career Changer Grant

Commercial Divers International awards grants to students who have had a previous career and are looking to change their career path. Students who are looking to start a second career and join the world of the Commercial Diving industry. Accepted students can contact the Financial Aid department to obtain an application for consideration.

Needs Base Grant

The Financial Need Grant is available to all CDI applicants who demonstrate financial need with a grant toward tuition expenses. Grants will be awarded to students who meet all CDI’s criteria for need-based financial aid. Grant award winners will receive a tuition reduction in the form of a non-cash grant to attend Commercial Divers International, once they have successfully completed the program. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled for classes at Commercial Divers International starting January 2020 or later. Applicant must demonstrate financial need based upon the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 15,000 or lower. The Financial Need Grant becomes null and void if a student withdraws from school.

Veterans Freedom Grant

The Freedom Grant is available to all applicants who have prior military service or a direct family member with prior service. The student must submit a copy of their military identification, DD214 or their family member’s military documentation at the time of enrollment to receive the tuition reduction. Those awarded the Freedom Grant will receive a non-cash grant upon maintaining a minimum 2.0 grade point average. If the student does not complete the program, the grant amount will be prorated based on the time attended. Click here to learn about additional grant options for veterans.

Native American Grant

For questions regarding Financial aid, Enrollment, Payment amounts, Grants or any other educational questions or comments; please contact an admissions institute official. We are looking forward to serving you.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.

U.S. Government Website

Testimonials

Look what our alumni has to say about CDI

Transitioning from military to civilian life is never going to be easy. CDI has helped make that transition into finding a career I have a passion in effortless. Their admissions department gave me all the information I needed, and did all the heavy lifting with the GI bill® so I didn’t have to worry.
Kyle Wilson
After serving in the Army for six years I was ready for a new kind of adventure. That's when I found commercial diving and decided to dive in—literally. I chose CDI in Goodyear, Arizona, because they know how to translate military skills into diving excellence, with some of the instructors being veterans themselves. They didn't just teach me how to dive; they showed me how my discipline and resilience I learned in the military could make me a standout commercial diver. The support and respect for veterans at CDI were second to none. They understood the transition from military to civilian life isn't always easy, but they made it feel seamless. They were all about getting me ready for the real deal, and it paid off. Now, I'm with General Dynamics Electric Boat, working on the most advanced nuclear submarines out there. It’s a whole new world for me, and I’m loving the challenge. Thanks to CDI, I’ve managed to find a career that pushes me to learn daily and uses my military background to its fullest.
Rain Landry
My name is Emma Elsy. I grew up in Arizona and knew that I wanted to do something diving related. Community College was not for me, I did one semester and said “absolutely not.” I found CDI and I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do. I was already an advanced scuba diver going into the program so I had a leg up. It was hard being the youngest in this program and also being a woman on top of that. It was intimidating but it taught me a lot of things and gave me a lot of different paths. I enjoyed working with my team at CDI. I got a job before I graduated working as a diver in the keys cleaning boats. School prepared me for the routine that I have with the job. I found a place to stay and I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m happy that I perused CDI and found a path that will open math other doors for me.
Emma Elsy