Free Money for Nursing School

How to Get the U.S. Government to Pay for Your Nursing Education

As a financial counselor, the # 1 question I hear from potential (and current) nursing students is:

Where can I get more money for my nursing education? 

and, more specifically:

How can I get money from the United States Government to help with nursing school?

These are great questions.  I mean, the U.S. Government really SHOULD be subsidizing people's educations, since they're presumably going to bear the burden of there being a shortage of one million nurses in the next twenty years, right?  It stands to reason that if there aren't enough nurses to care for sick people, then these sick people will become a burden on their families (reducing the number of taxable hours worked), stay longer at county hospitals (taxing Medicare and Medicaid resources), and negatively affect the number of hospitals that can stay open (impacting the economy in general.  All bad news, so you'd think the government would wise up and throw some money at nursing schools and students, right?

Believe me, quite a few people are lobbying Congress at this very moment, trying to get more funds allocated for this very purpose.  In the meantime, though, here are some places where the government actually DOES provide funding- programs you might not know about!

1.  The Indian Health Service.   Because of the shortage of good health care on Indian Reservations, the U.S. Government now offers a program where ANYONE (no, you don't have to be Native American) can get their student loans paid off (up to $20,000/ year) if they agree to work on a reservation.

2.  The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) has a scholarship program for nursing students.

3.  The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program.  Yes, it really does exist, and yes-- they really are giving away money (up to $17 million per year).    

4.  Perkins Loan Cancellation.  This is one that you'll need to ask your specific loan provider about, but in many cases, nurses (and sometimes teachers) can get their Perkins Loans canceled if they're working in a healthcare job.  Caution:  do NOT just stop paying your Perkins Loan and assume it will be canceled for you-- this could result in a negative mark on your credit!  Do the paperwork!  To get information on this, you need to call the Federal Student Aid Commission (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID, and ask them for "Perkins Loan Cancellation for Nurses."  You can also go into the financial aid office at your school and ask them to add you to the cumulative number of students working as a full-time nurse.   They should know what you're talking about.  If your counselor doesn't, keep asking until you find the person in the office who works on healthcare financial aid!!!

5.  National Health Service Corps Scholarships.  For students enrolled in primary care nursing practitioner or certified nurse midwife programs.  This is a competitive scholarship program, and recipients serve where they are most needed upon completion of their training.

6.  State Nursing Programs.  This one really falls under "state government programs," but is worth mentioning here, as many states will cancel your student loans if you're willing to work in an underserved area.  To find these programs, you'll need to Google your specific state's "Commission on Higher Education," or "State Nursing Programs + Your State."  For instance, the state of Arizona offers scholarships and loan cancellation through its Commission on Postsecondary Education, which you can find at:  http://www.azhighered.org.   If you lived in Arizona, you could also find more information about nursing careers at the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association's Campaign for Caring website, at:  http://www.azcaringcareers.com.  Start looking!

7.  Join the Military.  Alot of students don't want to hear this, but joining the military is one of the best ways to get a comprehensive nursing education, job training, and job opportunities when you graduate.  You're going to be putting in the time anyway, so why not let them subsidize you?  The Army is just one of the branches of the military offering this program.  I would suggest investigating them all, and seeing what they can do for you.

8.  Americorps.  Yep, they will pay your loans back if you're a nurse or a teacher.

9.  The Peace Corps is also in need of healthcare workers, and (this goes without saying)-- being in the Peace Corps is not only good for helping you get your loans paid off.  It's also great experience, looks great on your resume, and will probably change your life (and might get you dates).

Like the tips? 

2011 College Board Guide to Getting Financial Aid: On My "Must Read" List

   I always recommend that my students get the latest version of the College Board books.  The truth is, keeping up with all the guidelines for money ranging from state funding to scholarships to aid offered by your school is a job-- and if you want to get through nursing school with little or no debt, you should definitely make it one of your jobs.  The money is out there-- it's your job to find it!   College Board books are on my "must read" list every year because, frankly, they have a whole staff of people who are dedicated to making sure their facts are updated before publication every year, so they do the legwork for you.   I like that they include information on filling out the FAFSA, and the "financial aid picture" for each individual school makes it easy to see what your financial aid needs are going to be like before you even apply.  Helpful for students applying to school as well as those already in a program.   Two thumbs up!

Nursing School Grants: Check with Hospitals!

This is probably one of the least-known resources in the nursing profession, and it's right there under your nose!    Did you know that most hospitals offer some type of tuition reimbursement and/ or scholarship program?  The purpose of this is clear-- they want you to become loyal to them while you're still in school, so they'll pay for part of your education in exchange for a work commitment because it's cheaper for them than going out and advertising for/ hiring/ training a whole new nurse.  Makes sense, right?

The challenge for you is to find a hospital that offers a program like this that a) is near enough to your nursing program that you can take advantage of it, and b) that you like enough to stay there for two or three or four years following your nursing education.  This is no problem for most people, as they're just happy to have the money and the on-the-job training.  Pretty great, right?

So-- where do you look for programs like this?  There are several places for you to start.

1.  The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future has a searchable database of hospital programs, including tuition reimbursement and continuing education.  Search for nursing school grants now.

2.  Search the American Hospital Association Hospital Finder, and start calling the hospitals in your area  New programs (such as tuition reimbursement for hospital employees) are being added to hospitals all the time, and hospitals don't always have the time (or the knowledge) to properly promote these programs.  There could be money you don't even know about sitting at a hospital right down the street!

3.  Ask your (nursing specific) financial aid office, specifically about hospital partnerships.  They will know of hospitals that specifically offer funds in exchange for work commitments.

Nursing Loan Repayment: Check with the Government First!

Hey, did you know that the Nursing Education Loan Repayment program is still around?   It is, and they're still paying back people's nursing school loans.  http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/

From their site:

The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program is a selective program of the U.S. Government that helps alleviate the critical shortage of registered nurses currently experienced by certain types of non-profit health care facilities by helping nurses working at them to repay their student loans.

In exchange for two years of service, participants receive 60 percent of their total qualifying nursing education loan balance. For an optional third year of service, participants may receive 25 percent of their original total qualifying nursing education loan balance.

Participants also receive the salary and benefits they have negotiated with their employing facility.

Must-Have 2010 Guide

This book is great-- it covers not only "general" scholarships that you could use for nursing school, but also government grant programs and other "free money" types of programs.  I definitely recommend covering all bases (in addition to contacting hospitals and schools of nursing).  Leave no stone unturned in your pursuit of a free nursing education! Case in point: I once had a student who had no interest whatsoever in the field of aviation receive a scholarship from the American Aviation Association of America, based on one of her relatives being a pilot. Who knew? So, buy this book, go forth and apply!

Where to Find Accelerated Nursing Programs, and How to Pay....

First of all, what is an "Accelerated Nursing Program?"  This can often be confusing, so we should take a minute to clarify, since this can mean different things in different places.  

Generally speaking, an "Accelerated Nursing Program" means a twelve to eighteen month program, whereby you are fast-tracked through nursing school and end up with a BSN.  As you can imagine, this type of program is usually only open to people who already have a B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree in something else, as many of the credits transfer.  If you have a degree in something like Liberal Arts or Humanities, you are probably going to have to take "prerequisite" type courses like math or science, either at a community college or at the school where you're trying to get into the accelerated nursing program. This type of program can also be called "Second Degree BSN," by the way.  

DiscoverNursing.com has these programs in their "Program Search" database, which you can search by clicking here, as does AllNursingSchools.com (they also have some more info on this type of degree).

So, while great in theory, Accelerated Nursing Programs are not always so great in terms of finances.  For one, these programs are intensive, beyond full time, so you're not going to have a chance to work to support yourself while you're getting this degree.   Since these programs are specialized and offered by colleges and universities (and not at community colleges), they're often more costly than students bargain for as well.  While you can make student loans work (and then hopefully get the hospital that hires you to pay these back later), you're still looking at a large chunk of change while you're essentially unemployed and back in school for a year or more.  Some career-changers can make this work, and others feel frustrated all over again, like they decided to make a big shift in their lives to "follow their dream," and are now being penalized.

One way around this is to take whatever degree you have and enroll in the Associate's Degree in Nursing at your local community college.  Yes, you will essentially getting an Associate's Degree, which you already have as part of your Bachelor's degree.  However, the cost will be exponentially cheaper, the schedule more flexible, and you'll end up with the same licensure (R.N.).  And, chances are once you get a job, your hospital is going to offer tuition assistance with one of the many (many) RN to BSN programs out there, so you'll end up with a BSN anyway (you'll need this if you want to become a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or pursue any of the other advanced degrees).  So, you'll get that BSN eventually, only this way you won't have to go thousands of dollars in debt before you even have a job.  Just a thought.

For more on paying for nursing school, get the Free Money for Nursing School eBook!

How to Be a Nurse

In order to be a nurse, you can start from wherever you are, educationally and in terms of your life experience.  Some people find that it is helpful to their nursing school applications to do some volunteer work in a hospital or to take some science or math prerequisites, but you might be able to get into nursing school (depending on your background) right now.

DiscoverNursing.com has a list of nursing schools with no waiting list, so definitely check those to see if you meet the prerequisites.    You could be in nursing school before you know it!

Generally speaking, there are several ways to become a nurse:

1.  You could go to a two-year (community college) program, get your Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), and then be licensed as an R.N.  Eventually you will probably have to do some kind of "degree completion" program so that you can advance in your career and/ or your nursing education (like to get a Master's degree, to become a nurse practitioner, or to become a nurse practitioner).

2.  You could go to a four-year (university or state college) program, get your Bachelor of Science in Nursing BSN) degree, and then be licensed as an R.N.

3.  You could complete a hospital diploma program and then be licensed as an R.N.

There are some other alternative methods, like going through an "Accelerated BSN" program (more on that here)-- that usually requires that you have a Bachelor of Science degree in another science-related field.  

Once you complete some form of nursing school and become licensed as an RN, you will get your first job, where you will "specialize" and receive on the job training in fields like cardiology, pediatrics, and oncology.

To search for a program that's right for you, visit DiscoverNursing.com or AllNursingSchools.com.

To search for scholarships, visit DiscoverNursing.com or Nursing Scholarship.us.

For more on paying for nursing school, get the Free Money for Nursing School eBook!

How to Become a Nurse

In order to become a nurse, you must first have a high school diploma (GED/ equivalency is usually sufficient-- be sure to check with the schools to which you are applying.  It also helps to have taken science and math classes in high school, but it's not absolutely necessary.

When applying for nursing school, you'll want to decide between a 2-year or a 4-year nursing program.    While you may be eager to get started on your path to being a nurse, you should know the difference between all the different programs.

--Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs take two years and are conducted by a community college.  While you may be able to take some of the prerequisites in an online program, you will definitely have to complete much of an Associate's Degree in Nursing in a clinical setting.  At the end of this program, you will take the licensure exam and become a Registered Nurse.

--A Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) is a little different in that it's a four-year program offered by a university (such as the University of California, Long Beach).   This program takes four years, and also culminates in your taking the licensure exam and becoming a Registered Nurse.  During this time you will also complete clinical rotations where you will gain practical skills.

So-- why four years vs. two years?  Isn't each of these considered an RN program?

The answer is, in order to continue with your professional career, you are going to have to get that BSN degree sometime.   If you don't think you're going to want that or you're comfortable finishing it later, then the ADN might be a good choice for you!   According to all the major nursing organizations, like the National Student Nursing Association, the BSN is the best bet for you if you're just starting out, because it offers the most comprehensive education in a field that is getting increasingly more challenging as the population ages and the technology advances.

After you complete your licensure, usually you will get a job in a hospital or other healthcare setting, where you will receive more training in a specialty (like pediatrics or oncology).  Then you might consider becoming a nurse practitioner or other type of advanced practice nurse.  It's up to you!

To search for a program that's right for you, visit DiscoverNursing.com or AllNursingSchools.com.

To search for scholarships, visit DiscoverNursing.com or Nursing Scholarship.us.

For more on paying for nursing school, get the Free Money for Nursing School eBook!

What is an Associates Degree in Nursing?

This is a commonly asked question for those who are interested in the nursing profession.  Essentially, there are several ways to become licensed as a registered nurse (RN).  They are:

--Attend a two-year program at a community college, and receive an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN)

--Attend a four-year university, and receive a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN)

--Attend a hospital diploma program and receive a diploma from that institution

But, many people ask:  why would someone get a BSN (four year) degree when they could get the same RN license with an ADN, which only takes two years?

The answer is:   in order to further your career as a nurse, you will probably need to complete the BSN degree at some point.   And while you will be able to work as a nurse with either a two-year or four-year degree (as long as you pass your NCLEX test and obtain your RN license), many nursing organizations now recommend that you just get the four-year degree, in case you want to do graduate work in nursing (like becoming a nurse practitioner), OR you someday decide you don't want to be a nurse-- then at least you have a college degree.

Bottom line, the fastest way to get into nursing (with no prior experience or degree) is to attend a two-year program.  This is also the cheapest way.

To search for two-year (or four-year) nursing programs, visit DiscoverNursing.com.

For more on paying for nursing school, get the Free Money for Nursing School eBook!

MD-to BSN Program: One of a Kind!

If you're a doctor from a foreign country who is interested in becoming a registered nurse in the United States, Florida International University has a program for you!  The first known MD-to-BSN program in the United States, FIU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing:  Foreign-Educated Physician to BSN track was granted approval in 1998.

From the FIU website:

The benefit of the BSN program is to provide a nursing education track that will serve as a worthwhile pathway for individuals with health care knowledge and skills to gain employment as registered nurses, thereby assisting to alleviate the nursing shortage and improving the socio-economic conditions for this group of immigrants. Given the magnitude of the nursing shortage in Florida, with some 26,000 registered nurses (RNs) needed now and a RN vacancy rate of 15.7%, the large pool of foreign physicians comprise an available population from which to draw potential RNs with baccalaureate preparation.

For more information or to apply to this program, visit the FIU MD-BSN program.

 

Featured Nursing Scholarship: ARRL Foundation

The American Radio Relay League  supports the nursing profession through their William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship!  This scholarship, given to ARRL members with any active amateur radio license, can be up to $10,000 for a student studying nursing, business, medicine, or computers.  This year's deadline is February 1st, so be sure to check www.arrlf.org for more information.