Becoming a dog groomer?

I want to be a dog groomer. i would love to attend the nash academy but it is really expensive, there is no financial aid, and the loans are hard to take out for a college student like me that has limited credit history. petco has a program where they train you while you work for them and there is no tuition. does anybody know of any other places like this or have any suggestions on how to pay for school...ANYTHING im so confused and any info you can give will help...PLEASE this is my dream and I really need help

I live in nyc...Any advice on how to get an apprentenceship (dont know if i spelled that right)

Are there any kennels in your area? I got my start grooming for a woman who raised English Springer Spaniels. Of course, you start out with only one breed of dogs, but until you get to the clippers the basics are the same.

This would get your feet wet, so to speak. Check around!

I would use Petco as a last resort , their teaching abilities are no so much. If i was you I would try to find a job at at a grooming shop as a bather with the understanding that you will learn to groom. then purchase grooming guide books and follow along with what you see.
ask if you can do shave downs for the groomers or pre cuts and that will help you ...

in the real world it takes about 2-3 years before you will become a fluent groomer.

I don't know about any other programs sorry. I do know that the petco program is pretty awsome. My mother in law was a groomer for them before she became a manager. Good luck.