Student Loans and Scholarships For Nursing and Nursing School
Student Loans and Scholarships for Nurses and Health Field Workers
Nursing and the medical field happens to be one of the bright spots in this economy. This field is normally under staffed and there is nearly always a demand for qualified people in the health field. The pay and benefits are also generally above average. The successful Nursing student with up-to-date skills can nearly pick the place they want to work. Many nursing students shop around to find the very best job offer than can get. Many times this means moving out of state. Our sponsors on this page have more in-depth and specifics on these programs as well as job placements.
Nursing school isn’t cheap. Many nursing students can have problems finding funding for their education. Happily, there are specific student loans that cover Nursing and Nursing School. There are also many Scholarships available to low-income or nursing students with special needs.
Nursing students have several options to fund their schooling. If you can afford it, a private student loan will normally get you into the nursing school of your choice.
There are some federal student loans that will pay for nursing school. The important thing to keep in mind is to check with the school you want to attend to see which programs they are signed up for. The Department of Health and Human Services has several programs available to nursing students to pay for their education.
Here is a rundown of what they offer.
Nursing Student Loans
The Nursing Student Loan program is much like the loans above. They’re for low-income, disadvantaged students looking to get into a Nursing School. You must be a full or half time student studying a course that will lead to a diploma, baccalaureate, associate or graduate degree in nursing. Applicants must meet the same requirements of the above to loans before they will be considered for financial help from the Nursing Student Loans program.
Nursing Scholarship Program
This is a good scholarships for Nursing students, but not everyone will qualify. In 2008 it was estimated that 220 new applicants would receive these scholarships.
Only applicants who show the greatest financial need and who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate nursing program will be considered. The other requirements for the Nursing Scholarship include having a zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the Student Aid Report from the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) and are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate nursing program as full-time students. As I said before, this Scholarship isn’t for everyone, but if you can meet the requirements, it’s a good financial aid source.
In order to get the Nursing Scholarship to pay, you’ll be required to spend at least two years service at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses, the Nursing Scholarship Program pays tuition, required fees, other reasonable costs, including required books, clinical supplies, laboratory expenses, etc.
Nursing Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides scholarships to full-time students who need help with paying for nursing school. This nursing scholarship is for students that come from disadvantaged backgrounds. You must be enrolled in a health profession or a nursing program. A Nursing School must participate in this program and are responsible for selecting which nursing students are qualified for the scholarships. They are required to make reasonable determinations of need, and providing scholarships that do not exceed the cost of attending the Nursing School. The scholarships cover tuition, reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses. I’m not sure who determines what is “reasonable” but knowing how Uncle Sam operates (no pun intended), these expenses could be very low. All the more reason to check this out thoroughly.
Here is a list of programs that are available for the Scholarships from schools who are accredited in medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, veterinary, nursing (associate, diploma, baccalaureate and graduate degree), public health, chiropractic, allied health (baccalaureate or graduate degree programs of dental hygiene, medical laboratory technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, radiologic technology, speech pathology, audiology, and registered dietitians), graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice (includes clinical psychology, clinical social work, professional counseling, or marriage and family therapy) and programs providing training of physician assistants.
To be elgible for this scholarship, a student must meet these requirements and the school you attend must be enrolled in the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program.
From a disadvantaged background as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: An individual from a disadvantaged background is defined as one who comes from an environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions school, or from a program providing education or training in an allied health profession; or comes from a family with an annual income below a level based on low income thresholds according to family size published by the U.S. Bureau of Census, adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index, and adjusted by the Secretary, HHS, for use in health professions and nursing programs.
A citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Marianas Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated State of Micronesia.
To apply for this program, you have to visit the Nursing school you plan on attending and make sure they are enrolled in this program. You’ll also apply there if they are enrolled.
Loans For Disadvantaged Nursing and Health Students
This loan program is designed for long-term, low-interest rate loans to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue a degree in allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatric medicine, pharmacy or veterinary medicine.
The elgiblility is the same as above. And once again, your school must be accredited and enrolled in the program.
This loan program covers the following fields if the school is enrolled in the program; allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine.
Check with the student financial aid dept. at the school you’re wanting to attend to see if they’re enrolled in this program or our sponsors will have more information.
Health Professions Student Loans
The Health Professions Student Loanprogram provides long-term, low interest rate loans to full-time, financially needy students. These funds are distributed to accredited schools and benefit students who are about to pursue a degree in dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, or veterinary medicine.
To meet elgibility requirements for this student loan, you have to be a citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Marianas Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated State of Micronesia. Pretty easy requirements if you ask me!
Primary Care Loans
These low-interest, long term loans are typically available to pursue a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Loans to third and fourth year students may be increased to repay outstanding balances on other loans taken out while in attendance at that school.
Now here’s the stick and carrot trick. If you want a Primary Care Loan, you must agree to enter and complete residency training in primary care within four years after graduation and practice in primary care for the life of the loan.
The elgibility requirements are the same as for the loan above.
National Heal Service Corp
This service has many programs and scholarships designed to help Nursing students or those going into a medical related field. Each of these programs has their own elgibility requirements. It’s best to see one of our sponsors or check out The National Health Service Corp page at the Health Resources and Service Administration.
Individual State Nursing Assistant Programs
Check out whether or not your state has some form of financial aid for Nurses or Medical related fields. Most have some type of education assistance. The need for Nurses and other health related workers has gotten many states developing programs to get more workers into much needed health related fields. Illinois nurses were recently helped out by a state program designed to help Nursing students and others in health related industries pay for their education.
The health and nursing related fields are in high demand. With the economy in the state it is, more and more people are entering the field. Yet, there are still shortages. If you’re thinking about entering the field, first check out the schools you’re interested in and make sure they participate in one or more of the Nursing scholarships or Nursing student loan programs avaialable from the U.S. Government.
