Last updated: August 10, 2026. Program cost, length, curriculum, registration timing, financial-aid guidance, and veterans-benefit references were rechecked against current official sources.
Santa Fe College currently estimates its Welding Technology Career Certificate (program code 7623) at about $4,412 for Florida residents. That estimate includes in-state tuition, lab fees, and books. The full-time program runs for three semesters and includes 1,050 contact hours across nine classes. Dividing the published estimate by the scheduled hours works out to about $4.20 per contact hour as a simple comparison metric, although that is not an official hourly tuition rate. The older $3,062 figure belongs to the separate Advanced Welding Technology certificate, program 7627.
Quick Answer
Santa Fe College currently estimates its Welding Technology certificate at $4,412 for in-state tuition, lab fees, and books. The program requires 1,050 contact hours over three full-time semesters, making the published estimate roughly $4.20 per scheduled contact hour when used only as a comparison metric. Plan separately for possible PPE, transportation, replacement supplies, living costs, and any certification-related expenses not included in current course or lab fees. Financial aid, scholarships, a payment plan, and eligible veterans benefits may reduce what you pay out of pocket.
Key Takeaways
- The current official estimate for Welding Technology program 7623 is $4,412, based on in-state tuition, lab fees, and books.
- The certificate includes 1,050 contact hours across nine classes and can be completed in three semesters of full-time study.
- The often-cited $3,062 cost applies to Advanced Welding Technology program 7627, which requires prior welding training.
- Welding Technology is a clock-hour program, so financial-aid disbursement timing differs from a standard credit-hour semester and depends on completed clock hours and required weeks.
- FAFSA-based aid, scholarships, a tuition payment plan, and eligible veterans benefits may help reduce upfront costs.
- Budget separately for commuting, required clothing or PPE, replacement items, living expenses, reduced work hours, and any certification retest or personal supply costs not included in your award or school estimate.
Program Overview
The Santa Fe College Welding Technology program awards a Career Certificate after successful completion. It builds practical skills from industrial safety and arc-welding fundamentals through SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, technical drawings, fabrication, and a final welding-certification course.
The current program contains nine classes totaling 1,050 contact hours. A full-time student can complete it in three semesters. Because the training includes scheduled classroom and welding-shop work, students should expect a substantial in-person time commitment.
Santa Fe College also states that its welding shop is an American Welding Society accredited testing facility offering 20 different welding certification tests to students and industry workers. The certificate’s final PMT0182 course requires students to select a qualified GMAW, FCAW, or GTAW procedure based on their career path and complete an AWS certified welder test through the college’s accredited facility.
Santa Fe College currently lists Welding Technology program 7623 as a 1,050-hour, three-semester certificate with an estimated in-state cost of $4,412.
At a Glance
| Program | Welding Technology Career Certificate, code 7623 |
| Time Required | 1,050 contact hours; three semesters full time |
| Training Format | In-person classroom and welding-shop instruction |
| Official Cost Estimate | About $4,412 for in-state tuition, lab fees, and books |
| Approx. Published Cost per Contact Hour | About $4.20 ($4,412 ÷ 1,050); comparison metric only, not an official tuition rate |
| Registration Opens | April and November for Welding Technology; confirm exact dates and section availability |
Welding Courses and Skills
Santa Fe College currently divides the 1,050-hour certificate into nine courses over three full-time semesters:
- First term: PMT0102 Intro to Welding and Industrial Safety (120 hours); PMT0126 Arc Welding Fundamentals (120 hours); PMT0128 Shielded Metal Arc Welding 1 (120 hours).
- Second term: PMT0129 Shielded Metal Arc Welding 2 (120 hours); PMT0130 Gas Metal Arc Welding (120 hours); PMT0105 Welding Drawings and Fabrication (120 hours).
- Third term: PMT0143 Flux-Cored Arc Welding (120 hours); PMT0137 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (120 hours); PMT0182 Welding Certification (90 hours).
Across those courses, students practice welding safety and industrial shop procedures, SMAW or stick welding, GMAW or MIG, FCAW, GTAW or TIG, technical drawings, welding symbols, fabrication, equipment setup, and weld evaluation.
In the final certification course, students select a qualified welding procedure using GMAW, FCAW, or GTAW based on their career path and complete an AWS certified welder test through Santa Fe College’s accredited testing facility.
Warning: Welding involves intense heat, ultraviolet radiation, fumes, electricity, sharp metal, and moving equipment. Students must follow shop rules, wear the required PPE, and use ventilation and welding equipment exactly as instructed.
What Are the Santa Fe College Welding Admission Requirements?
To enter Welding Technology program 7623, Santa Fe College currently requires you to:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Apply to and be accepted by Santa Fe College.
- Complete the college admissions process.
- List Welding Technology Certificate, code 7623, as your primary program.
A high school diploma or equivalent is not required for program admission, and high school dual enrollment students are welcome. However, admission eligibility and financial aid eligibility are not the same. Students without a diploma or recognized equivalent should confirm federal-aid eligibility with the Financial Aid Office before depending on an award.
Minimum Age Requirement
The minimum age is 16. This makes the program available to eligible high school dual enrollment students as well as adult learners. You must still complete the college admissions steps and meet the program’s classroom, shop, safety, communication, and physical performance standards.
Admission Process Steps
- Apply for admission to Santa Fe College.
- Complete all requested admissions items and monitor your eSantaFe account.
- Set Welding Technology Certificate, code 7623, as your primary program.
- Contact the program advisor for registration help and current section availability.
- Review the Construction and Technical Programs dates and deadlines. Santa Fe College currently lists registration opening in April and November for Welding Technology, but exact dates and available sections can change.
- Complete financial aid, scholarship, veterans benefit, or payment-plan steps before the applicable fee deadline.
Pro Tip: Contact the welding program advisor before buying a helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, or tools. The program can tell you which items are required, which are supplied in the lab, and whether a specific brand or safety rating is needed.
Physical and Shop Requirements
Santa Fe College’s published performance standards explain that welding students must be able to attend scheduled classroom and shop sessions, work safely around hot and dirty materials, use welding and cutting equipment, tolerate fumes and noisy shop conditions, stand for extended periods, use their arms overhead, and lift and carry at least 50 pounds.
Students who need an accommodation should work with the college’s accessibility office and the program advisor early. The goal is to identify reasonable support while preserving essential safety and skill requirements.
Prior Program Completion for Advanced Welding
You do not need to complete another welding certificate before starting program 7623. Prior completion becomes important only when you move into Advanced Welding Technology, code 7627.
The advanced certificate requires completion of Welding Technology 7623 or proof, through transcripts or industry certifications, that you already have equivalent basic welding skills. Advanced Welding focuses on pipe welding, pipe fitting, heavy-wall pipe, stainless pipe, and pipe-welding certification.
How Much Does Santa Fe College Welding Cost?
Santa Fe College currently lists the estimated cost of Welding Technology program 7623 at $4,412. The school says this estimate is based on:
- In-state tuition
- Required lab fees
- Book costs
Dividing the $4,412 published estimate by 1,050 scheduled contact hours gives approximately $4.20 per contact hour. Use that only as a comparison tool when evaluating programs. Santa Fe College does not publish $4.20 as an hourly tuition rate, and the calculation combines tuition, lab fees, and books.
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed bill. Your actual balance can change with residency classification, fee updates, course repeats, book choices, schedule changes, and personal expenses. Non-Florida residents should request a current individualized estimate because the published $4,412 figure is based on in-state charges.
For a wider benchmark before choosing a school, compare this program with the site’s welding school cost guide. Keep the comparison focused on total hours, included fees, certification opportunities, and expenses you must pay separately rather than comparing tuition alone.
Note: The $3,062 figure still seen in some descriptions is the current estimate for Advanced Welding Technology program 7627, not the entry-level Welding Technology certificate covered here.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Santa Fe College lists several possible ways to finance the program, including federal grants, work-study, state grants, federal loans, and institutional scholarships. Awards depend on eligibility, available funds, enrollment, completed paperwork, and satisfactory academic progress.
The college also identifies the Boone Bussard Welding Scholarship as a scholarship that specifically supports welding students. Applicants should review the college scholarship portal and submit required materials by the published deadline.
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FAFSA and Federal Aid
Complete the Santa Fe College financial aid process as early as possible. The standard steps include filing the FAFSA, listing Santa Fe College, completing admission, submitting requested documents, reviewing the award, and maintaining eligibility.
Welding Technology is a clock-hour program. Santa Fe College explains that students in these programs earn aid according to the number of clock hours completed over the required number of weeks. Disbursement timing therefore does not follow the normal semester schedule used for traditional credit-hour programs.
Financial aid is not automatic. A FAFSA can lead to grants, work-study, or loan offers, but the amount depends on your eligibility and the program’s aid rules. A fee deferment may hold your classes while approved aid is pending, but it does not erase your responsibility for any unpaid balance.
Payment Plan Options
Santa Fe College offers a tuition payment plan through Nelnet that can spread eligible tuition and fees over time rather than requiring one lump-sum payment. Students pay an enrollment fee, and the down payment is processed when the agreement is created. Availability and enrollment deadlines depend on the term.
Do not assume a payment plan, scholarship, or aid award is active until it appears on your student account. Students with an uncovered balance may have classes dropped after the applicable fee deadline.
Veterans Benefits
Eligible veterans, service members, and qualified dependents may be able to use GI Bill or other education benefits for approved college or career training. Coverage depends on the benefit program, eligibility percentage, enrollment, and approved charges.
Start with Santa Fe College’s Veterans and Military Success Services, then verify your benefit through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education portal. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can help eligible students with qualifying tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing, and certain licensing or certification tests, but benefits are not identical for every student.
What Is the Real Total Cost to Attend?
Your realistic budget should begin with the school’s $4,412 estimate and then add personal expenses that are not clearly included. A practical planning formula is:
Estimated all-in budget = $4,412 school estimate + PPE + transportation + uncovered replacement supplies or testing + living expenses + income lost from reduced work hours.
| Official program estimate | About $4,412 for in-state tuition, lab fees, and books |
| Personal protective equipment | Helmet, eye protection, welding jacket or sleeves, gloves, suitable clothing, and safety footwear if not supplied |
| Transportation | Fuel, transit, parking, and travel to scheduled shop sessions |
| Replacement supplies | Lost, damaged, or worn personal gear and consumable items not covered by lab fees |
| Certification retesting | Ask whether the selected test, retests, and certification paperwork are included in current course and lab fees |
| Living expenses | Housing, meals, childcare, and reduced work hours during a full-time hands-on program |
Ask the program advisor and Cashier’s Office for a term-by-term estimate before registering. This helps you compare official charges with your aid, scholarship, payment-plan, and personal budget.
How to Control Additional Welding-School Expenses
Extra costs vary because students start with different amounts of safety gear and have different transportation and living needs. Before spending money, use these checks:
- Confirm the required PPE list first. Ask the program advisor what the lab supplies and exactly what students must bring.
- Protect reusable safety gear. Replacing a damaged helmet, gloves, jacket, or footwear can create avoidable costs during a three-semester program.
- Budget the commute by term. Scheduled in-person shop attendance makes fuel, transit, parking, or vehicle costs part of the real program budget.
- Ask what certification charges are included. Confirm whether your selected AWS test, paperwork, and any retest are covered by existing course or lab fees before paying separately. For broader context, see the site’s welding certification cost guide.
- Plan for work-hour changes. If the full-time shop schedule reduces the hours you can work, include that lost income when comparing programs.
Do not buy used safety equipment unless it can be inspected and confirmed suitable for welding. A damaged auto-darkening helmet, cracked lens, worn glove, or flammable garment can create a serious hazard.
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Financial Aid Application Process
- Apply to Santa Fe College. Financial aid cannot be finalized correctly if your admissions record and program information are incomplete.
- Submit the FAFSA. Use the correct award-year form and list Santa Fe College.
- Check the Financial Aid Portal. Submit verification documents, transcripts, or other requested records promptly.
- Apply for scholarships. Include the Boone Bussard Welding Scholarship and other institutional or outside awards for which you qualify.
- Review your award carefully. Separate grants and scholarships from loans that must be repaid.
- Compare aid with your account balance. Pay or arrange coverage for any remaining amount before the fee deadline.
- Confirm clock-hour disbursement timing. Welding Technology aid is earned according to completed clock hours and required weeks rather than the standard credit-hour semester schedule.
- Confirm book and supply coverage. Find out whether you have a bookstore line of credit and what it can purchase.
- Maintain eligibility. Attend class, complete the required work, and meet satisfactory academic progress rules.
Note: A financial aid deferment only delays the payment deadline while expected aid is processed. If your award changes or does not cover the full balance, you remain responsible for the unpaid amount.
Welding Technology vs. Advanced Welding Technology
The two Santa Fe welding certificates are related, but they are not interchangeable.
| Feature | Welding Technology 7623 | Advanced Welding 7627 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Foundational and structural welding training | Advanced pipe-welding and pipe-fitting training |
| Length | 1,050 contact hours; three semesters full time | 750 contact hours; two semesters full time |
| Current Estimated Cost | $4,412 based on in-state tuition, lab fees, and books | $3,062 based on in-state tuition, lab fees, and books |
| Approx. Published Cost per Contact Hour | About $4.20 | About $4.08 |
| Prior Training | No prior welding certificate required | Requires 7623 completion or documented equivalent welding skills |
The cost-per-hour figures above are simple calculations using each program’s current published estimated cost and contact hours. They are comparison metrics, not Santa Fe College tuition rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Santa Fe College welding program take?
Welding Technology program 7623 requires 1,050 contact hours across nine classes. Santa Fe College says a full-time student can complete the certificate in three semesters.
Do I need a high school diploma or GED for Santa Fe College welding?
No high school completion or equivalent is required for admission to Welding Technology program 7623. However, students without a diploma or recognized equivalent should confirm their financial-aid eligibility separately with Santa Fe College.
What is the approximate cost per contact hour?
Dividing the current $4,412 published program estimate by 1,050 contact hours gives about $4.20 per scheduled contact hour. This is only a comparison metric because the $4,412 estimate combines in-state tuition, lab fees, and books; Santa Fe College does not list $4.20 as an official hourly tuition rate.
Are payment plans available for the welding program?
Yes. Santa Fe College offers a tuition payment plan through Nelnet for eligible charges. Students pay an enrollment fee, and the down payment is processed when the agreement is created. Confirm the current enrollment deadline and that your agreement is active before the applicable fee deadline.
What certifications can I earn through the program?
The curriculum includes PMT0182 Welding Certification. Students choose a qualified procedure using GMAW, FCAW, or GTAW based on their career path and complete an AWS certified welder test through Santa Fe College’s accredited testing facility. The exact qualification depends on the selected procedure and successful test performance.
Is there a refund if I withdraw?
Santa Fe College provides an automatic 100% refund for classes dropped by the established drop-with-refund date. After that deadline, a standard refund is not guaranteed. Federal aid recipients may also have funds returned under federal withdrawal rules, which can leave a balance owed to the college.
Can I work while attending the welding program?
Possibly, but the full-time certificate requires scheduled classroom and shop attendance across three semesters. Ask the program advisor for the current weekly schedule before accepting work hours. You may need evening, weekend, or reduced work commitments rather than assuming the program has flexible attendance.
What job-search assistance is available after graduation?
Santa Fe College’s Career and Job Placement office offers career advising, employer-student meetups, workshops, events, job-search strategies, interview preparation, and resume assistance. These services can support your search, but the college does not guarantee employment or a specific starting wage.
Does the $4,412 estimate include all living and equipment costs?
No. The published estimate is based on in-state tuition, lab fees, and books. PPE, commuting, childcare, housing, meals, replacement equipment, lost work hours, and some certification-related expenses may be separate.
Why do some pages list the welding program at $3,062?
The $3,062 estimate applies to Advanced Welding Technology program 7627. The entry-level Welding Technology certificate, program 7623, is currently estimated at $4,412 and lasts three full-time semesters.
Sources
- Santa Fe College — Welding Technology, C.C. — current program cost, length, nine-course curriculum, admissions, performance standards, scholarships, AWS testing, and certification details.
- Santa Fe College — Advanced Welding Technology, C.C. — advanced-program cost, prerequisites, duration, and pipe-welding curriculum.
- Santa Fe College — Construction and Technical Programs Dates and Deadlines — Welding Technology registration-opening information.
- Santa Fe College — Get Your Aid — FAFSA, verification, awards, deferments, and aid steps.
- Santa Fe College — Clock Hour Programs — financial-aid application and disbursement rules for Welding Technology and other clock-hour programs.
- Santa Fe College — Payment Methods — tuition payment-plan enrollment, payment, deadline, and refund information.
- Santa Fe College — Student Refunds — drop-date refunds and federal-aid refund rules.
- Santa Fe College — Career and Job Placement — career advising, job-search, employer meetups, workshops, interview preparation, and resume services.
- Santa Fe College — Veterans and Military Success Services — college support for veterans, military students, and eligible dependents.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Post-9/11 GI Bill — qualifying tuition, housing, books and supplies, and licensing or certification-test benefits.
Conclusion
Santa Fe College currently estimates its entry-level Welding Technology certificate at $4,412 for in-state tuition, lab fees, and books. Program 7623 requires 1,050 contact hours across nine classes and takes three semesters full time. Based on those published figures, the estimate works out to roughly $4.20 per scheduled contact hour as a comparison metric.
Your real budget can be higher once PPE, transportation, living costs, replacement items, or reduced work hours are included. Before enrolling, confirm the current term-by-term charges with the program advisor and Cashier’s Office, check your clock-hour financial-aid status, and verify what your scholarship, payment plan, or veterans benefits will actually cover.
