Nurses are now more in demand than ever, and for anyone wanting to become a nurse who is unsure of whether they can afford it or not, should look out for financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships and loans.
The population is exploding, and LPN financial aid will mean that a licensed practical nurse who takes care of patients under the supervision of a registered nurse, will be able to improve their status by having the financial means to attend a school or college that offers this training. For some, the expense of the LPN to Registered Nurse process may seem out of the question because of financial obligations, but you will be reassured to know that you may qualify for financial aid, whether you attend a traditional school or an online program.
Investing in education is critical, and finding ways to fund your education can sometimes be confusing, but the Internet has plenty of information on how and where to go about getting LPN financial assistance towards a better job, better pay and a better life. Most nursing students who need money start with the U.S. Department of Education, and they offer different programs that provide financial aid from a number of sources. To apply for aid, you will need to fill out an application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA.
Complete Your Academic Application
LPN to RN program students can get government grants and federally guaranteed loans to assist with education costs. In 2006 the Higher Education Reconciliation Act was passed in the US, which recognizes the legitimacy of accredited online schools and for which financial aid has been made available to students who enroll in online programs. You need to qualify for federal student financial aid to help with the paying of accredited online LPN to RN programs. You will need to first complete the FAFSA, which is the free federal student aid application. Completing the FAFSA4caster will provide you with the information needed on how federal student aid can help to pay your education expenses.
To be eligible for federal financial aid, a student should be –
- a US citizen or a non-citizen who is eligible
- in financial need
- in possession of a social security number which is valid
- in possession of a high school diploma or recognized equivalent
Scholarships
Of all the available financial aid, grants and scholarships for the LPN to RN programs are the most desirable because this is money that you don’t have to pay back. You can get this type of financial assistance from a number of sources. Some of the best sources will be the financial aid office at the school, your area library and the Internet. Many organizations offer scholarships for students wanting to attend post-secondary schools. LPN scholarships are available from various sources like community hospitals, local civic organizations and state and national organizations.
One source for instance for LPN financial aid is the Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship. You can apply with your adviser in the financial aid office and give them a completed Marguerite Ross Barnett Employment Verification form. For more details you can call (800) 473-6757 or (573) 751-3940. The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions also sponsors a scholarship program for students enrolled in its member schools. This scholarship program is for outstanding students in the allied health professions who have the potential to take on leadership roles in the allied health professions.
Hospitals Also Offer Scholarships
Nursing scholarships are also available through a variety of sources. Some of these scholarships will come from a private source, others from a university, from the US government or from corporate companies. Once again, there are certain scholarships that will require you to perform a specific type of service in a health care environment in exchange for financial aid. There are a number of hospitals that will also help you with LPN financial assistance by offering scholarships and some of these are:
- Children’s Hospital of Atlanta – they offer two scholarships
- CVPH Medical Center in New York – their scholarships are also for non employees and in exchange for working there for one year, tuition and books are paid by the hospital
- Rush Copley Medical Center in Chicago – they offer tuition reimbursement programs as well as student loan repayment
- Baptist Hospital East in Louisville – they offer tuition reimbursements for employees as well as their Knowledge Program which provides a certain amount each semester in exchange for a six month work commitment.
- The Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore – amongst others they have a student nurse loan program whereby students can get a certain amount each year. Once they have graduated they will have to work for a year as a registered nurse at the hospital for each year of tuition paid by the hospital.
Grants
There are thousands of those who, even though they are caring people and want to reach out and help people, believe that they will never be able to because financially they will not be able to afford going to college. This is simply because they are not aware of LPN financial aid and what their options are. The cost of attending a practical nurse program varies from location to location, regardless of whether the college is a private or public institution. LPN financial aid is available to those who need it to get through their studies. Would-be nurses for instance, can look at a Pell Grant because this will cover a good part of your LPN classes, while student loans may even cover the rest.
A good idea is to also look at the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, known as FSEOG. You need to take note that not all schools take part in the FSEOG program, so look out for those that do because it can play a big part in eliminating some of your school costs. There are a number of LPN programs out there that will provide you with the financial aid you need whether it is merit- or need based. The programs will help with financial aid for LPN schools via grants and loans, and the financial aid officer at the school or college you want to attend will have all the information you need on how to go about getting financial aid. Where you can also look for this financial aid is under the FAQ section of the different nursing schools. Resources like CollegeScholarships.org offers good information for anyone wanting a nursing career but who needs financing for it.
Perhaps the best place to look for LPN programs are public colleges, simply because they accept standard Federal student aid and they offer a variety of scholarships as well. You can also get your LPN training online. Many such online colleges offer LPN training courses, and the beauty of these is that they allow you to learn at your own pace. Before you decide whether you are going to go to college or do your training online, it can be to your benefit to communicate with the financial aid office and hear what they offer in terms of an LPN financial aid package. The FAFSA4Caster, which is an online tool, will actually help you work out what financial aid you qualify for.
Tuition Reimbursements for Certified Nursing Assistants
If you are working as a CNA which is a certified nursing assistant, but are looking to improve your lot by joining a CNA-to-LPN program, it can also be to your advantage to speak to someone at the human resources department because sometimes they offer tuition reimbursement benefits which can go towards funding your LPN training.
LPN financial aid is offered to those CNA’s who want to take exams administered by the state and there are some free online courses that CNA’s will certainly want to look at. Some of these are:
- Patient Communication Skills, University of Michigan – communication techniques and skills are taught to all those who work in health care, and all materials for the course can be downloaded free of charge
- Principals of Human Nutrition, John Hopkins University – how nutrition can affect health and disease in humans – lectures and slide presentations are available to students
While you may have to pay for the tuition that isn’t covered by grants and scholarships, your work will reimburse you for the rest, removing the financial pressure from paying for LPN classes.
An LPN program usually takes a year to complete and an exam will need to be completed along with licensing. The specifics about the licensing requirements will vary from state to state and the contact information for state nursing boards can be found on the Internet. If you are already working as a licensed practical nurse, and you want to become a registered nurse, check out with your human resources department for tuition reimbursement benefits.
Some of the duties of a licensed practical nurse include:
- providing general bedside care, recording vital signs and dressing wounds
- preparing and administering injections and enemas
- assisting with patient bathing, turning of patients
- helping to deliver babies
The Eastern Suffolk School of Practical Nursing is a school committed to helping students with financial aid resources and their experienced and professional staff assist you with the entire financial aid process. Students may find they are eligible for the Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans which are awarded based on the results of FAFSA.
If you are passionate about a career in nursing, but you are hesitating because of the availability of fund, there are certainly ways to secure LPN financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants or loans.
