Earning a bachelor’s degree can provide RNs with the skills and experience necessary to be the best nurse for their patients. However, many nurses who wish to further their education wonder how they can afford to do so.
For nurses looking to enroll in an online RN to BS in Nursing program, seeking financial aid is one way to make their dreams a reality. Through researching and applying for nursing grants and nursing scholarships, many nursing professionals are able to finance their education.
The basics of grants and scholarships
Both grants and scholarships are offers of financial aid that do not have to be paid back if a student adheres to the stipulations of the award, such as remaining enrolled in school and maintaining a set grade point average.
Grants are often need-based, meaning how much a student is able to pay for schooling is used as a guide. The U.S. Department of Education is one source to look at for nursing grants. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is an online form that asks for your personal financial information and, once filed, will connect students with need-based aid for which they may qualify.
Nursing scholarships are usually awarded based on merit, meaning a student's academic and professional achievements are considered. There are hundreds of scholarship options available specifically for nursing students.
Categories of scholarships
There are many nursing scholarships specifically designed for a student’s area of study or practice. The website nursingscholarships.us is an online database that has an up-to-date list of both public and private scholarships in a variety of categories, including the following:
- Gender
- Religion
- Air Force, Army and Navy
- Minority
- Gerontology
- Long-term care
- Neuroscience
- Occupational
- Oncology
- Operating Room
- Rehabilitation
- Ostomy and ET
In addition to considering area of study, some scholarships are available by geographic region, including a student’s state of residence. For example, the website discovernursing.com, reveals more than 100 scholarship options for students in Rhode Island. These nursing scholarship opportunities are broken down into further categories, such as level of study, area of practice and full-time or part-time study.
Applying for aid
With so many nursing grants and nursing scholarships available, nursing professionals who want to further their education could find their dream more easily obtainable. It is important to begin the grant and scholarship application process as soon as possible, as most have deadlines and many require a good deal of information from the student.
An RN to BS in Nursing program can be an excellent way for nursing professionals to gain the skills and experience needed to become better nurses. By searching and applying for nursing grants and nursing scholarships for which they may qualify, students can be well on their way to financing an education that can boost their career.
Learn about the URI online RN to BS in Nursing program.
Sources:
Federal Student Aid: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships
Find a Scholarship: https://www.discovernursing.com/scholarships#no-filters
Free Application for Federal Student Aid: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
Nursing Scholarships: http://www.nursingscholarship.us
Oncology Nursing Society Foundation: http://www.onsfoundation.org
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