Hey there all – a buddy of mine asked if I knew of any places that might be able to help her financially go back to nursing school – and I was stumped.
She would like to quit her job and go full time – are there any other options than student loans that you know of?
Thanks a bunch
Nursing is one of the few professions that has a student loan forgiveness program for critical need areas. It is because there is a nursing shortage. I would not rule them out if I were her. Also, major companies or products such as Tylenol and Johnson & Johnson offer scholarships. However, after graduation, the student loans can’t be consolidated otherwise the option for student loan forgiveness will end. I will list some other free sources to locate money for college.
First, the college’s financial aid office and website has a list of private scholarships offered from outside organizations and companies. Sometimes a college major’s website will list scholarships, too.
Second, the public library has a book listing scholarships with some not even listed on the web.
Third, fill out the FAFSA form. It will help tap into federal and state need based financial aid along with scholarship money from the college itself. It is based on the parents’ income and savings along with your income and savings. The form becomes available on January 1 for the upcoming fall semester or quarter. It needs to be renewed each year until college graduation. This should be filled out in her senior year.
Fourth, search Google.com and Yahoo.com for nursing school grants and scholarships tied to your state. Many states offer money to students wanting to study nursing.
Finally, I recommend joining several free membership scholarship search websites. There are scholarships for a variety of things including ethnicity, clubs, hobbies, and even wearing duct tape to the high school prom. Most are updated on a regular basis. Most offer a customized search based on information entered onto a form on the website.
Good luck!
