Going to nursing school offers a way to gain training and education for a fulfilling career as a nurse. This career allows you to use the nursing skills you learn to provide patients with the best care possible, whether you end up working in a hospital, doctor’s office, or other healthcare facilities.
Paying for nursing school may feel overwhelming, especially when you are comparing tuition, fees, books, clinical costs, and living expenses. The best place to start is not with loans, but with a clear funding strategy that prioritizes aid you may not need to repay before borrowing.
Tuition costs for some of these programs might seem difficult to afford, depending on your budget. However, you do not need to let these costs deter you from pursuing a nursing degree. Exploring different payment options can help you determine how to pay for nursing school while staying within your budget. Keep the following payment options for nursing students in mind.
Key Takeaways
- Completing the FAFSA early usually determines eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and student loans.
- Scholarships and grants may be valuable sources of funding because they typically do not need to be repaid.
- Working nurses may be able to reduce education costs through employer tuition reimbursement programs.
- Federal student loans often provide more borrower protections than private loan options.
- Nursing-specific service and loan repayment programs may help reduce long-term education costs.
Start With the FAFSA
For many students, the first step in paying for nursing school is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used to determine eligibility for federal grants, work-study programs, and federal student loans.
Submitting the FAFSA early can help you understand your full financial aid package and identify funding options before making borrowing decisions.
How Much Does Nursing School Cost?
Nursing school costs can vary considerably depending on the school you go to and the type of degree program you choose. In general, community colleges and public institutions usually cost less than private institutions. Tuition costs are typically lower for shorter degree programs or undergraduate degree programs, such as an associate or accelerated degree program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost for an undergraduate degree at a public in-state 4-year school is around $21,000, while a private 4-year can cost around $45,000.
These costs tend to be higher for advanced or graduate degree programs, such as a master’s or doctoral degree program. In some cases, an advanced degree program—a doctoral program, for example—could cost over $100,000 at a private institution. Nursing school costs can also vary depending on whether you choose to go to school full-time or part-time.
Other Nursing School Expenses
Nursing school expenses go beyond tuition. Other expenses nursing students can incur for their educations include professional equipment and incidentals like uniforms. Books and health costs due to drug screenings and other tests can also increase the amount nursing students spend. Additional expenses, such as transportation costs for clinicals or simply getting to and from classes, can also add up. Childcare and the loss of job income in order to focus on school might also add to nursing school expenses, depending on your situation. You will also need to pay for the NCLEX exam—a requirement to becoming a registered nurse—along with any review courses you may want to take.
| Funding Option | What It May Cover | Repayment Required? |
|---|---|---|
| FAFSA-based federal aid | Can open access to grants, work-study, and federal student loans | Depends on the aid type |
| Scholarships | May help pay tuition, fees, books, or other education costs | No, in most cases |
| Grants | Need-based aid such as Pell Grants for eligible students | No, in most cases |
| Employer tuition reimbursement | May offset part of the cost for working nurses or healthcare employees | Usually no, though employment terms may apply |
| Federal student loans | Can help cover remaining education costs after other aid | Yes |
| Nursing service or loan repayment programs | May provide scholarship or repayment support tied to service commitments | Usually service-based rather than direct repayment |
| Private student loans | Can help fill remaining gaps when other aid is not enough | Yes |
Grants and Scholarships That May Not Need Repayment
Scholarships can help reduce the amount that you owe for nursing school. While some scholarships might cover the full cost of tuition, others offer partial coverage. Since scholarships vary widely in terms of eligibility, you will need to look for ones that you qualify for. You can check for local scholarships or search online for available nursing school scholarships. Keep in mind that you can apply for scholarships at any time during your degree program, not just at the beginning or before you start.
In addition to scholarships, some students may qualify for grants, which are also typically based on financial need and generally do not need to be repaid. Exploring both scholarships and grants early could help reduce the amount you may need to borrow.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
If you work, you might be able to get help paying for nursing school through your employer. Hospitals are known to reimburse RNs who earn a nursing degree while working for them. You should check with your employer to see if this kind of financial help is available. Some healthcare organizations are willing to offer tuition reimbursement since it helps nurses gain additional skills and training. This benefits you as a nurse as well as the organization you work for. Make sure you look over the eligibility requirements if your employer offers reimbursement.
Federal Student Loans
Financial aid for nursing school can come from student loans. Depending on your eligibility, you might qualify for a private student loan. Federal student loans are also an option to consider as a way to pay for nursing school.
Federal student loans are typically accessed through the FAFSA and may offer borrower protections, flexible repayment options, and access to federal programs. Reviewing these options first can help you make more informed borrowing decisions.
Student loans have varying interest rates, repayment schedules, and other factors to compare. Before you accept any student loans, you should take time to carefully go over these factors so that you will know how much you will be paying after graduating. This can help you choose a student loan that works best for your situation.
Private Student Loans
Private student loans may be an option if additional funding is needed after exploring federal aid, scholarships, and employer support. These loans often have different eligibility requirements, interest rates, and repayment terms, so it is important to compare them carefully.
Work-Study Programs
Work-study programs provide a way for you to help cover school and living expenses while studying for your degree.
Work-study opportunities are often part of a federal financial aid package and are typically determined through FAFSA eligibility.
With this arrangement, you might be able to gain experience in the nursing field, depending on the type of position you have. Keep in mind that these programs are part of your financial aid package. You might need to update your financial aid information if you accept a work-study position, such as when you no longer work in that position.
Military and Service-Based Funding
Each branch of the military offers reimbursement or repayment options for educational opportunities. You might also have access to additional help through monthly stipends, which can help you pay for living expenses and other nursing school costs. Check with your branch to see what types of repayment or reimbursement options are available.
Nursing Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs
Student loan forgiveness programs allow eligible nurses to have all or some of their outstanding loan amounts forgiven. The types of student loans that are eligible and the amounts included can vary. Explore your options by looking at the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program or the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. You can also check for student loan forgiveness programs that are available at the state level.
Some nursing-specific programs may offer loan repayment or scholarships in exchange for service in eligible healthcare settings, which can be an important option for reducing long-term debt.
RN to BSN Programs
Some RN to BSN programs offer an accelerated path to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
For working nurses, these programs may help reduce overall costs by shortening completion time and allowing continued employment while studying.
If you are already an RN, you can check for programs that let you apply work experience toward credit hours. This can help reduce the number of credit hours you will need to complete for your BSN. Lowering your required credit hours means you can earn your degree in less time, which can help bring nursing school costs down. In some cases, you may be able to complete your BSN in as few as two years.
Nursing Apprenticeships
Nursing apprenticeships provide you with a way to gain an education and work experience.
These programs may combine classroom learning with hands-on experience, which can help offset costs while building practical skills.
These apprenticeship programs typically start with a focus on classroom learning, then move to hands-on or practical training. Some of these programs allow online or accelerated learning, which can provide more convenience for students and shorten the amount of time it takes for them to earn their degrees. If you look into nursing apprenticeships, check for ones that fit your situation, such as an online program rather than a traditional classroom learning program.
How to Build a Nursing School Funding Plan
To make these options more actionable, consider this general order when planning how to pay for nursing school:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Review grants and scholarships
- Ask your employer about tuition reimbursement
- Compare federal student loan options
- Consider private loans if needed
- Explore loan forgiveness or service-based programs
- Speak with a financial aid advisor to confirm your plan
If you are looking for affordable nursing programs, please contact American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Science at Post University. Our online RN to BSN program allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree in a shortened timeframe, which helps keep nursing school costs down. Contact us to learn more about this program and our admissions process and requirements.
FAQ
What is the first step to paying for nursing school?
For many students, the first step is completing the FAFSA, because it determines eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and federal loans.
Are there scholarships just for nursing students?
Yes. AACN highlights nursing-specific scholarship and financial-aid resources, including foundation scholarships and Nurse Corps-related opportunities.
Can your employer help pay for nursing school?
Possibly. Hospitals and healthcare organizations may offer tuition reimbursement for nurses continuing their education. Check with your employer to see if any tuition reimbursement options are available through them.
Should I use federal or private student loans for nursing school?
Federal loans are often worth reviewing first because they come through the FAFSA process and may include stronger borrower protections than private loans.
Are there loan repayment programs for nurses after graduation?
Yes. AACN highlights the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program for eligible nurses and nurse faculty working in critical shortage settings or approved faculty roles.
Thank you for reading! The purpose of this blog is to provide general information to the reader, and as such, this information may not directly relate to programs offered by Post University.
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from enrolling in or graduating from any Post program.