Pursuing a career in nursing can be a challenging and rewarding experience, but it can also be an expensive one. Nursing students often struggle to pay for their education, as nursing programs can be costly and require a significant investment of time and money.
Fortunately, there are government grants available for nursing students that can help them pay for their education and training. In this post, we will discuss the different government grants available for nursing students, their requirements, and how to apply for them.
Available Government Grants for Nursing Schools
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The Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant that is awarded to undergraduate students. The grant is based on students’ financial needs and does not have to be repaid.
To be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, students must be enrolled in an undergraduate program and have a demonstrated financial need. The amount of the grant varies depending on the student’s financial need, but it can be up to $6,345 for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Requirements (Eligibility)
To be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, nursing students must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an eligible school: The school must participate in the Federal Pell Grant program and be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen: Students must have a valid Social Security Number and meet certain immigration requirements.
- Have a demonstrated financial need: The Federal Pell Grant is based on the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be working toward your first bachelor’s degree: Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a program that leads to a degree or certificate: Students must be taking at least 6 credit hours per semester to be considered half-time.
How to Apply
To apply for the Federal Pell Grant, nursing students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s financial need, and it is required for most federal grants and scholarships.
The FAFSA can be completed online at fafsa.ed.gov. After the FAFSA is completed, the student’s school will use the information provided to determine the student’s eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a need-based grant that is awarded to undergraduate students, including nursing students, with exceptional financial needs. The grant is awarded to students who have the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC) and priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. The amount of the FSEOG can vary, but it can be up to $4,000 per academic year.
Requirements (Eligibility)
To be eligible for the FSEOG, nursing students must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an eligible school: The school must participate in the FSEOG program and be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen: Students must have a valid Social Security Number and meet certain immigration requirements.
- Have exceptional financial need: The FSEOG is based on the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be working toward your first bachelor’s degree: Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the FSEOG.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a program that leads to a degree or certificate: Students must be taking at least 6 credit hours per semester to be considered half-time.
How to Apply
To apply for the FSEOG, nursing students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s financial need, and it is required for most federal grants and scholarships.
The Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a need-based program that provides part-time employment opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, including nursing students. The program is designed to help students earn money to pay for educational expenses while gaining valuable work experience.
If the student is awarded FWS, the student will receive an award letter from their school’s financial aid office that will indicate the amount of the award, and the student’s earnings will be based on the student’s work schedule.
The student will then need to find a job on or off-campus that is related to the student’s field of study. The student will be paid at least the current federal minimum wage and the student’s earnings will not be more than the total amount of the student’s FWS award.
Requirements (Eligibility)
To be eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program, nursing students must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an eligible school: The school must participate in the FWS program and be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen: Students must have a valid Social Security Number and meet certain immigration requirements.
- Have a demonstrated financial need: The FWS is based on the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be working towards a degree or certificate: Students must be taking classes that lead to a degree or certificate.
- Be enrolled at least half-time: Students must be taking at least 6 credit hours per semester to be considered half-time.
How to Apply
To apply for the Federal Work-Study Program, nursing students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s financial need, and it is required for most federal grants and scholarships.
After the FAFSA is completed, the student’s school will use the information provided to determine the student’s eligibility for the Federal Work-Study Program.
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program is a loan repayment program that is designed to help registered nurses and nurse practitioners pay off their student loans.
The program is open to those who work in underserved communities, and it provides loan repayment assistance in exchange for a two-year service commitment. The program can pay up to 60% of the student’s loan balance, and it can provide up to $60,000 in loan repayment assistance.
If the student is selected for the program, they will be required to sign a contract agreeing to serve for a minimum of two years at an eligible facility. In exchange, the program will pay 60% of the student’s unpaid nursing education loans for the first two years of service and 25% for the third and fourth years.
Requirements (Eligibility)
To be eligible for the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, nursing students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a licensed registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or other advanced practice nurse.
- Have outstanding nursing education loans
- Be employed or have a job offer at an eligible facility: The facility must be located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or a Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/P).
- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
- Agree to serve for a minimum of two years at an eligible facility.
How to Apply
To apply for the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, nursing students must submit an application through the program’s website. The application process typically opens in the spring and closes in the fall, so it’s important to check the website for the current application cycle.
The application process involves submitting personal and financial information, including information about the student’s nursing education loans and employment.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarships
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarships are offered to nursing students in exchange for a commitment to work in underserved communities. The scholarships are awarded based on financial need, and students must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program to be eligible.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA provides funding and support to healthcare providers, including scholarships for students pursuing careers in healthcare fields.
HRSA offers several scholarship programs, including the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program, the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, and the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program. These programs provide financial assistance to students in exchange for a commitment to serve in underserved communities after graduation.
The scholarships can provide up to $10,000 per academic year to cover tuition, fees, and other education-related expenses. Eligibility, application processes, and award amounts vary depending on the program.
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is a career development and employment assistance program for military spouses including those who are pursuing a nursing career. The program provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification, or Associate’s degree in a portable career field and occupation.
The MyCAA program is designed to help military spouses overcome the challenges of frequent moves and deployments, and to provide them with the education and training they need to secure sustainable and portable careers.
The program is available to eligible military spouses of active-duty service members and activated Guard and Reserve members in paygrades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2. MyCAA is administrated by the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) office.
Requirements (Eligibility)
To be eligible for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program, you must be the spouse of an active-duty service member or activated Guard or Reserve member in paygrades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2. You must also be seeking a license, certification, or Associate’s degree in a portable career field and occupation.
How to Apply
To apply for MyCAA financial assistance, you will need to create an account on the MyCAA website. Once you have created an account, you will need to provide the following information:
- Spouse’s name and military status
- Spouse’s paygrade
- Spouse’s branch of service
- Spouse’s duty station
- Spouse’s sponsor’s Social Security Number
- Your education and career goals
- Information about the school or training program you plan to attend.
You will also need to provide documentation, such as your marriage certificate, your spouse’s military ID, and your transcripts or other proof of educational achievement. If you are approved for MyCAA financial assistance, you will receive an authorization letter that you can present to your school or training program to receive your funding.
