How to pay for Nursing school: Student Nursing Scholarship + Financial Aid Links

[NRSKarenRN]

College Grants

A grant is free money usually based on financial need. These awards do not have to be paid back. Read more

School Scholarships

Scholarships are considered gift aid, which do not have to be repaid, and are often awarded for merit in academics, athletics, or a particular field of study. Scholarships may also be awarded based on ethnic background, religious affiliation, and special interests. Read more

Education Loans

Student loans are long-term, low-interest loans made directly from the federal government or by private lending institutions such as banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions.

Students from across the nation also have a number of discounted student aid options they can explore. 

Read stories about Student Loans

Work-Study Programs

Work-study provides you with employment opportunities both on and off campus to help pay for school costs. Participation in a work-study program is based on your financial need.

Read Your Guide To The Federal Work-Study Program

Additional links

Complete the FAFSA® Form

8 Steps to Completing the FAFSA® Form

Financial Aid Timeline

Glossary of Terms for Financial Aid Offers

Estimate Your Federal Student Aid

[waiting2BeANurse]

If you sign a contract in exchange for a scholarship and do not end up working for the hospital u can always pay the money back in a lump sum interest free or in installments with usually very little interest. However, they usually do not offer these scholarships until the 2nd semester of nursing school so you would have to find a way to pay for the first semester which is usually themost expensive but they will later reimburse that money you spent in the first semester. Hope this helps

[OnMyWay2MSN]

You cant just get a regular federal school loan, when you say bank loan I assume that is a private loan?

[LuvMyGamecocks]

Federal student loans would be what I'd go for...depends on your income, but you can usually qualify for enough to at least cover tuition. You have to fill out the FAFSA and have your tax returns handy, but it's an easy process that can be done online.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

I highly caution against signing a contract to work for a hospital in exchange for tuition unless you KNOW the facility well. Several of my classmates have made that mistake, and now that we are more familiar with the facility, they are second guessing their decision. If you like and trust the facility not to give you situations that may put your license in jeopardy, that's always an option.

Good luck!!!

[Jules A, MSN]

My ADN was cheap, just over $1,000 a semester. I'd consider using the BA you have to work and save a few dollars then start nursing school. Good luck.

[*TK8]

Hi there,

After a 3 year journey, I was finally accepted into a Second Degree Master's CNL program! I'm excited, but I am concerned on how I'm going to pay for school. I've looked at other posts on the board, but I wanted a fresh perspective on how others might have paid for nursing school. Right now I'm looking at loans-which I have about $20,000 for undergrad, and may be looking to take out $50,000 for school not including summers and living expenses since I will be an out of state student. I didn't apply to an ADN program since it wasn't really in my career goals and I'm waiting to hear from one more state school but I'm not sure what my chances are of getting in. I would love to go to this school and I'm willing to pay the loans back, go into the military, or serve in an shortage area to pay it back. I'm also thinking about becoming a resident in my second year to lower costs. Has anyone else been in or is in this situation currently? Any information would really help. Thans in advance.

[caliotter3]

I worked a full time job and one to two part time jobs at a time while in nursing school. There was no financial aid available to me other than limited loans so I paid my way through by working while in school.

[Jules A, MSN]

I did it the old fashion way, worked and used savings. Getting your ADN might not be in your career plans but if it affords you the luxury of working for a decent wage and not going into debt that would be priceless to me. Read the posts from people who took out mega loans to "focus on school" and are having trouble even getting their first job. Imo there really is no "good debt".

[SteffersRN87, BSN, RN]

I am just wondering how you can get into a MSN program without any prior nursing education, especially the CNL. A clinical nurse leader must be an experienced nurse with excellent leadership abilities with extensive knowledge of their specialty. I suggest that if you are worried about paying for school and want to become a respected CNL, you should opt for the associate degree or diploma nursing programs. It may not be in your career goals to be a bedisde staff nurse, but it is neccesary if you want to become an advanced practice RN. I know quite a few RN's that worked as a bedside staff nurse for 2 or 3 years and then took on advanced practice positions. I am from the Pittsburgh area and all of the MSN programs in the area require at least 1 to 2 years of nursing experience prior to application.

As far as paying for your nursing education... I attended a hospital-based diploma program and then went on to finish a BSN. My employer gave me up to $3000/year for tuition reimbursement. That amount does vary depending on what area you work in. My entire diploma program cost $17,000 (for both years combined). The only student loans I have are from what tuition reimbursement did not cover for my BSN. I am going back to school for a MSN, and my employer will again give me tuition reimbursement.

[CuriousMe]

I worked with the scholarship office at the community college where I did my pre-reqs and applied for a lots of scholarships. With their help, I found a scholarship that is paying for 90% of my BS in nursing (including my living expenses) and will pay for 85% of my graduate degree.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Anyone who gets into a 2nd degree CNL without a background in nursing is going to have a hard time being accepted by hardcore nurses with extensive experience.

Be prepared--you have a HUGE mountain to climb besides the student loans.

[caliotter3]

Anyone who gets into a 2nd degree CNL without a background in nursing is going to have a hard time being accepted by hardcore nurses with extensive experience.

Be prepared--you have a HUGE mountain to climb besides the student loans.

Agree with this. Life won't be very easy.

[*TK8]

I'd like to make two things clear. One when I mentioned ADN, I specifically meant I did not want to pursue an associate's degree...My ultimate goal is to be a nurse practitioner and this program is one way of getting towards that goal. I do understand that a clinical nurse leader is not a nurse practitioner and that they are two different roles. Second, this is a program for students who have a degree in another field but who will be trained as clinical nurse leaders. When you graduate you work as an RN just starting out and after some experience you would work as a CNL. I was primarily looking for experiences of second degree BSN or MSN students who went back to school.