Can FAFSA be used for nursing school?

Yes, FAFSA can be used for nursing school. Nursing students can qualify for grants, scholarships, assistance programs, and loans by submitting the FAFSA. The federal government uses the FAFSA to award federal student aid, including the Pell Grant. States, colleges, and scholarship organizations also use the FAFSA to award financial aid for nurses.

Is there a way to get nursing school paid for?

Yes, nursing students qualify for many forms of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loan repayment programs. Current RNs advancing their education may also qualify for tuition reimbursement through their healthcare employer. Nursing students can research their financial aid options to lower the cost of nursing school.

How do most people pay for nursing school?

Around half of nurses borrow money to pay for nursing school, according to the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. Nursing students can also use scholarships, grants, and employer tuition reimbursement programs to cover costs. After graduation, nurses qualify for many loan forgiveness programs that can help pay off their student loans.

Is the government paying for people to become nurses?

Yes, the government offers several assistance programs to pay for people to become nurses. For example, the Nurse Corps program covers tuition for nursing school, while the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program pays off 85% of student loans in exchange for two years working at a critical shortage facility.

Financial Aid For Nurses And Nursing Students

Key Takeaways

The nation's nurses carry nearly $50 billion combined in student debt.
Nursing students can get grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study support to help pay for their nursing education.
Government loans can offer lower rates, flexible repayment options, and loan forgiveness in exchange for fulfilling specific service commitments.

Are you interested in nursing school but worried about paying for your nursing degree? You're not alone. More than half of went into debt for their degree, and the nation's RNs owe a combined $48 billion in nursing school debt, according to the 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.

But there is good news for current and future nursing students: financial aid for nurses can help you cover tuition and other educational expenses. These options include private and government-funded nursing scholarships and grants, loan repayment programs, and employee tuition reimbursement programs.

This guide provides an overview of the many ways you can pay for nursing school, including a listing of scholarship and loan repayment programs that you could use to help reduce and eliminate your student debt.

Update: NurseJournal is tracking the latest on the proposal from the One Big Beautiful Bill covering professional degrees, which may significantly affect the amount graduate nursing students are able to borrow from the federal government. Find our coverage here.

Types of Financial Aid for Nursing Students

Financial aid for nursing comes in various forms. It's important to understand the different options, along with the application requirements. Creating a nursing school personal budget can also help you see how far your money will take you while in school.

Financial aid can come from many sources, including federal and state governments, private foundations, professional associations, and higher education institutions. Each funding source will have different rules regarding use and repayment. For example, private loans typically have more conditions than government loans.

Categories of financial aid include:

Types of Loans

Most nurses take out loans to pay for their degree. In 2022, 51% of RNs said they borrowed for nursing school, with 45% using federal loans.

Understanding the key differences among loan types can help borrowers avoid costly mistakes and student loan forgiveness scams.

What types of loans should nursing students choose? Prioritize federal loans first, because they offer lower interest rates and more repayment options. And federal subsidized loans defer interest until after graduation. Here's what nursing students need to know before taking out loans for their degree.

Government Assistance Programs for Nurses

Government assistance programs that help pay for nursing school include those funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the military. Many of these programs include a service component after graduation.

In addition to these federal programs for nurses, research nursing school grants and scholarships offered by your state government.

Loan Repayment for Nursing School Graduates

Nurses qualify for state and federal loan repayment programs. Eligible nurses teach, conduct research, and work in understaffed areas and facilities in exchange for loan repayment funds. Most repayment programs require a two-year service contract.

Nursing students should research loan repayment programs offered at the state level in addition to these federal programs.

Nursing School Tuition Reimbursement from Employers

Some nursing jobs help employees cover education costs, such as tuition or continuing education courses. Tuition reimbursement programs pay back employees for eligible educational costs.

Currently, 42% of employers offer education benefits, according to the 2024 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey. This employee benefit, typically administered through the employer's human resources department, offers up to $5,250 each year in tuition reimbursement.

Individual companies set eligibility requirements, which usually include staying at the organization while enrolled and for a set amount of time after graduating. This money does not require repayment so long as the recipient meets the specific terms.