Just as there are government scholarships for nursing school, there are also government grants for nursing school and they are not the same even though they are used interchangeably. In this blog post, you will find out how the grant works and how to apply for government grants for nursing schools.
Personally, I think nursing has to be on the top list of most fulfilling or satisfying professions, and I say this because it is a profession whereby you get to help people get better while still making money. And you know another great thing about becoming a nurse, there is a huge demand for them and as a nurse, there are many opportunities for you to work abroad and earn an even higher income.
There are many wonderful opportunities that come with being a nurse but the process of becoming a nurse is not an easy one and I am talking about finance. The cost of nursing school keeps going high and this is a huge challenge because more and more people who want to pursue a nursing education are unable to afford the cost.
The shortage of nurses coupled with the expensive cost of paying for nursing school the nursing profession would lack more people and this can become a huge challenge in the health sector. To tackle this issue, governments of different nations are providing scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities to enable more people to enter nursing school.
By removing the financial barriers to nursing education more people can have access to nursing school, earn a nursing degree, and enter the workforce. The government grants for nursing school make all of these possible and it isn’t only the government that are offering such grants, there are also colleges and universities, foundations, and associations that are offering nursing grants and scholarships.
This blog post provides a curated list of government grants for nursing school and before we get into it, let me quickly clear the air between grants and scholarships because I am sure you must have been wondering the differences between them.
Grants and scholarships are used interchangeably but there is a clear difference between them and as one seeking financial aid to support your nursing degree, it is important that you understand their differences.
Scholarships and grants are both free money given to a student to support their education and it does not have to be repaid. However, the major difference between scholarships and grants is that scholarships are awarded based on merit which could be excellence in academics, sports, drama, or in a particular talent while grants are awarded based on financial need.
So, government grants for nursing school are awarded to prospective or current nursing students who demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA. Applying for government nursing grants does not stop you from applying for government nursing scholarships and other nursing grants and scholarships for that matter.
As a matter of fact, you can apply for other healthcare scholarships and other scholarships and grants that you meet their criteria. The aim is to get as much financial assistance as possible, so apply for as many as you qualify for.
Table of Contents
Best Government Grants for Nursing School
The following are government grants for nursing school:
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- The Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) Grant
- Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
- IDPH Nursing Education Scholarship Program
- Washington College Grant
- Learn and Stay Grant
- HRSA Nursing Grant
1. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This grant is provided by the federal government to any student in financial need, It is not specifically for nursing students only but they also qualify to apply for the grant. You must be enrolled in an undergraduate full-time degree program like BSN to be eligible for the grant. In addition, applicants must be US citizens and have filled out FAFSA forms.
Selected students will receive between $100 and $4,000 per year depending on the gravity of their financial need. This grant can go a long way to support your nursing degree without spending so much.
2. The Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) Grant
The NEI is an education grants program established to support nurses in continuing education to improve their nursing knowledge and skills. The initiative is for nurses registered to practice in the province of Ontario, they are eligible to receive up to $1,500 per funding year.
The grant is offered annually and there is usually a high volume of submissions so if you want to be considered, apply early. Applicants are required to keep copies of their application forms, supporting documents, and the application verification number as proof of submission.
3. Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program is one of the best government nursing scholarships out there. It is offered every year and covers tuition, fees, monthly stipends, and other educational costs. To be eligible, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the US, enrolled in an accredited nursing program in the US, and have no federal judgment liens.
Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need. Recipients of the scholarship will work at a Critical Shortage Facility when they graduate.
4. IDPH Nursing Education Scholarship Program
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) which is a sector within the Illinois State Government is offering scholarships to its residents who want to undertake nursing programs. The scholarship program aims to increase the number of nurses available for employment in Illinois by providing scholarships to overcome the financial burden of education. This is similar to nursing scholarships for minorities that are offered to increase minority ethnic groups in the nursing profession.
To be eligible for the IDPH Nursing Education Scholarship Program, you must be a resident of Illinois and a lawful citizen of the US, demonstrate financial need through the Student Aid Report, be enrolled or accepted into an accredited nursing program in Illinois, and agree to the nurse employment obligation. Your Illinois driver’s license or state-issued ID card, recent official transcript, and a copy of your enrollment into the nursing school will be required as part of the scholarship application.
5. Washington College Grant
The Washington Student Achievement Council launched the Washington College Grant to provide financial assistance to students undertaking certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college. Although the Washington College Grant is not specifically for nursing students they are also eligible to apply but first, you will have to complete a state or federal financial aid application form.
The grant is offered to students from low to middle-income families. The amount of you will receive depends on the size and income of your family and the cost of your nursing program.
6. Learn and Stay Grant
Learn and Stay Grant is provided by the Ontario government and offered to students enrolled in nursing programs. To be eligible for the grant, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and be committed to work in the region where you studied for at least 6 months for every year they receive the funding. The grant covers full tuition, books, and other educational costs in return for working and caring for people.
7. HRSA Nursing Grant
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) offers a wide range of grants for allied health professionals including nursing. There are over 10 different nursing grants offered to different individuals to support their nursing education. Each of the grants has its separate eligibility criteria and requirements which you have to review carefully before applying.
Conclusion
This wraps up the post on government grants for nursing school, There aren’t many but it is a good place to start from. And as I mentioned earlier, you can also be eligible for other scholarships and grants that aren’t offered by the government, explore them as well, and get as many funding opportunities as you can.’
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