Can't use financial aid for CNA?

[RainbowHead]

So today was interesting. My boyfriend of two years and I found out that we will be moving into our first apartment next month, both exciting and worrying.

I also found out from the school I will be attending that the CNA program I am applying for does not accept any type of financial aid, which I thought was odd. Even if it is a vocational program and doesn't contribute to college credits, I assumed they would at least take a pell grant which I do qualify for.

So I need to pay out of pocket.

I'm curious, did you have to pay for yours?

[brynrawr]

In my state, I was qualified to get my CNA costs refunded after working for 90 days at a medicare approved facility. Is there a similar program in your state?

[caliotter3]

A CNA program at a community college might make you eligible for various financial aid options as a regular student. My program was through an adult education program and cost only $40 to begin with, the majority of which went for the book. A bargain indeed.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

It usually does not qualify as you are not getting any kind of degree. Not really even a technical cert. Why do you need a CNA certification may I ask? Is it required?

[Clarifier S'il vous]

At my community college, my tuition was paid for through what is known as a BOG waiver in my state. However, the CNA program was not eligible for any other form of financial aid, such as the Pell Grant.

The only part I was really annoyed by was the fact that the 16 units/credits that the program used up actually went toward my financial aid cap. I was fine with not getting financial aid for that semester but I thought it was kind of ridiculous that it counted toward the cap. That was a lot of units and the course was required as part of the nursing program at my particular Community College.

Oh well, what can you do right? I am glad that I don't owe any money or hours to a particular facility.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Not all schools participate in federal student aid programs, especially many of the private CNA academies.

Also, CNA training programs at community colleges sometimes don't qualify for federal student aid because they aren't considered academic credit programs.

[MarieFutureLPN]

I went to a trade school and paid $550 out of pocket for three weeks of CNA school. But I know someone who went to a community college to get her CNA. She used state grants to pay for her CNA.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

My community college also doesn't allow use of financial aid for the cna class either.

[OliveOyl91, BSN, RN]

I also had to pay for mine out of pocket. In Oregon, all the costs and state testing ran me around $1200. In Washington the average cost seems to be $800-$900. My advisor has told us at pre-nursing information meetings that they are actively trying to get financial aid to cover the costs of the CNA program at my school, because it is a requirement of the nursing program to have your CNA license.

If you are willing or able to work full-time, look into nursing homes or long-term care facilities to see if they offer any classes. They will usually cover all of the costs if you agree to work for them full-time for 1 year.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I got my CNA in Minnesota for free in exchange for working at a nursing home. I also know of a nursing home in Ohio that pays for it if you work there.

[RainbowHead]

I think that might be why. Apparently since it's a vocation and not pure education then they don't want to pay for it.

[kmbrn91]

Yes, I had to pay out of pocket for mine. It was roughly $550. However, some SNF will reimburse you after completing the course and becoming an employee. I would suggest looking further into the reimbursement laws for your state and requirements for each company before you apply.

Here is the law code to research further into reimbursement.

Federal regulations (42C.F.R. 483.158)