Guide To Financial Aid For Nursing School | NurseJournal.org

Guide To Financial Aid For Nursing School | NurseJournal.org
Guide to Financial Aid & Scholarships for Nurses
By
Updated on
January 29, 2026
Edited by
Nursing Students and FAFSA
Financial Aid Overview
Loans
Loan Forgiveness
Tuition Reimbursement
FAQ
Key Takeaways
The FAFSA form is an essential first step to access grants, scholarships, and work-study programs for nursing degrees.
Federal direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans can cover unmet costs.
Loan forgiveness programs like Nurse Corps and National Health Service Corps incentive service while helping enrollees lower their loans.
Nursing school can open the door to a rewarding career, but
paying for nursing school
can feel overwhelming.
If you’re wondering how to afford tuition, fees, supplies, and other nursing school expenses, you’re not alone. This guide offers practical solutions through nursing scholarships, grants, and other financial aid resources tailored to help nursing students cover their education costs.
Whether you’re just starting or
advancing your nursing degree
, you’ll learn how to reduce or even eliminate out-of-pocket costs and find funding that fits your goals and qualifications.
Update:
NurseJournal is tracking the latest on the proposal from the One Big Beautiful Bill covering professional degrees, which could significantly affect the amount graduate nursing students are able to borrow from the federal government. Find our coverage
here
Nursing Students and FAFSA
The
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) is your first step toward securing financial aid for nursing school. It determines your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, including grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Even if you already have a plan to pay for school, completing the FAFSA can reveal opportunities you didn’t know existed.
Many aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so submit your application as early as possible. Be mindful of state and school deadlines, which may differ from the federal deadline.
Most nursing schools use FAFSA information to determine your financial aid package, so it’s essential to fill it out accurately and on time.
Financial Aid for Nursing Students
Nursing students can apply for
scholarships and grants
based on their achievements or financial need. Typically, you don’t repay grants and scholarships when you meet the eligibility requirements. However, you may have to repay the funds if you do not meet the requirements. Work-study programs allow you to earn money to pay for some school expenses.
Organizations can award nursing scholarships based on achievement. Some scholarships are open to all college or nursing students, while others target specific specialties, memberships, or degree levels.
Organizations award grants based on financial need. Your eligibility varies based on factors such as membership in certain organizations, demographic information, and the degree level you’re seeking.
A work-study program offers part-time jobs to eligible students, allowing them to earn money for school expenses while gaining valuable experience in healthcare-related or community service roles.
Nursing Student Loans: An Overview
Unlike scholarships and grants, you must repay student loans after completing your degree, often with interest. You can defer some student loan repayments until after graduation, while others require repayment within weeks of receiving the funds. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) estimates that
76% of undergraduate nurses
accrue student debt.
According to a
2024 survey
of 500 nurses with student loans, the average loan debt was roughly half their average income, around $40,600. More than 65% of those nurses felt anxious when they checked their balance, and only 32% were likely to speak with a financial expert.
Types of Student Loans
Nursing students apply for school loans like other college students — by submitting the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine federal aid eligibility or applying for private loans. Each loan type has advantages and disadvantages that fit different situations.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
The U.S. Department of Education provides subsidized loans to eligible undergraduate students based on financial need. While enrolled at least half-time, during deferment, and for six months after leaving school, the government pays the loan’s interest. These loans are part of the Direct Loan Program and come with annual and lifetime borrowing limits, which vary by academic year and student status.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students can receive federal unsubsidized loans regardless of financial need. Interest begins accruing as soon as the funds are disbursed. You may choose to pay the interest while in school or defer it, though deferred interest will capitalize, increasing your total loan balance. Like subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans have annual and aggregate borrowing limits based on your academic level.
Private Loans
Nursing students with a qualifying credit score may apply for private student loans through banks or credit unions. These loans help cover tuition, living expenses, and other education-related costs.
Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness
Nursing students may qualify for programs that reduce or eliminate student loan debt. These include loan consolidation, deferment, and forgiveness options. Federal loan consolidation combines multiple federal loans into one, potentially simplifying repayment but generally not lowering the interest rate, which is a weighted average of the original loans.
Deferment allows you to temporarily pause payments, though interest may still accrue depending on the loan type. Loan forgiveness programs can cancel part or all of your loan balance, often in exchange for service in high-need areas.
Only federal student loans qualify for most forgiveness and deferment programs. Eligibility often requires employment in underserved communities, nonprofit healthcare settings, or the military. Some state governments also offer nursing-specific loan forgiveness.
Always verify whether forgiven loan amounts are taxable under federal or state law. Several nurse loan forgiveness programs include:
The
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
from the Health Resources and Services Administration pays up to 85% of education debt when you commit to two years of full-time service at an eligible facility with a critical shortage of nurses.
The
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
(PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
National Health Services Corps
offers up to $75,000 in loan forgiveness when primary care providers such as midwives and nurse practitioners commit to at least two years of full-time or part-time service in high-need areas to address critical shortages.
Army Nurse Corps Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program
offers loan repayment assistance up to $120,000 in exchange for three years of active duty or $60,000 for two years in the reserves. This award is in exchange for a year-for-year active duty commitment or a seven-year commitment with the Army National Guard with service in the Selected Reserve.
Tuition Reimbursement Programs for Nurses
Some employers offer
tuition reimbursement
or assistance programs to help nurses further their education. These benefits typically cover all or part of your tuition when you pursue a degree relevant to your role and agree to remain with the organization for a set period, often two years. This support allows you to build new skills while lowering your out-of-pocket costs.
Many healthcare employers actively support nurse employees in earning a
bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
. BSN-prepared nurses are associated with improved patient outcomes and
greater workplace efficiency
. Some hospitals partner with universities to provide discounted or fully covered
Financial Aid for Nursing Students: FAQ
Nursing students can access various financial aid options, including federal and state grants, nursing scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans. Additional support may include loan forgiveness programs, military benefits, and employer-sponsored tuition assistance. Completing the FAFSA is the first step to determining eligibility for most types of aid.
If you can’t afford nursing school, start by completing the FAFSA. Apply for nursing school scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Look into state-funded assistance, tuition reimbursement from employers, or loan forgiveness programs. Some schools also offer payment plans or emergency aid for students in financial need.
Most people pay for nursing school using a combination of federal student loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Some also receive financial support through employer tuition assistance, military benefits, or loan forgiveness programs. Completing the FAFSA is a key step in accessing most types of financial aid for nursing school.
Yes, the Pell Grant can help pay for nursing school if you’re an eligible undergraduate student with financial need. It covers tuition, fees, and other education-related costs. Award amounts vary yearly and are determined by your FAFSA application and enrollment status. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not require repayment.
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