Nursing school grants: finding financial help

People who want to pursue a career in nursing may be eligible to receive a federal nursing school grant. These grants, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provide valuable financial assistance to help bolster the number of people entering this valuable, crucial profession.

Categories of nursing school grants include:

• Scholarships for disadvantaged students: Low-income students can receive a federally funded scholarship to pay for education in numerous aspects of nursing. Applications for this scholarship money must be filed with the financial aid office of the student’s school of choice.

• Nursing scholarships: Students who agree to work for at least two years in nursing after graduating from nursing school may be eligible for a full-ride nursing scholarship. These scholarships pay for all enrollment expenses plus a monthly stipend of at least $1,000.

• Nursing loan repayment program: Students who agree to work in nursing for at least two years after graduation may be eligible for the nursing education loan repayment program. Students who receive loans through this program must pay back 60 percent of their loans assuming they meet their two-year requirement. Students who work at least three years must only repay 25 percent of their total loan amount.