Nursing Student Loans

If you've decided to study nursing, you've probably noticed two things in your research. First, there is a major push toward drafting individuals into the industry due to the shortage of qualified professionals in the field. Secondly, you may have also realized that the cost of attending most medical programs is hefty, and could be part of the reason why the shortage of qualified nursing professionals exists in the first place. Although tuition may be costly, becoming a nurse has become less financially burdensome and more of a promising pursuit through the help of nursing scholarships and alternative student loans. In fact, there are even some student loan initiatives that offer forgiveness to entice graduates from state-funded programs to provide services in exchange for forgiveness of a percentage of their loans.

Some of the various programs that offer nursing student loans and other incentives include the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program which offers up to 60% of loan repayment assistance to graduates of accredited nursing programs. In exchange for the repayment assistance, graduates must work professionally for two years. Most other nursing student loan programs are based on need and must be applied for directly through the school. These programs are usually offered to nursing students enrolled at least half time in a degreed undergraduate or graduate nursing program.

Many professional organizations offer not only student loans for nursing students, but scholarships and fellowships as well. National nursing organizations such as the National League of Nurses and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing offer an extensive list of financial aid resources for nursing students. For minority students, there is the American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program, which can be supplemented by student loans to cover the entire cost of your tuition and other expenses.

There are also a number of private lending agencies that provide specialized loans for nursing students, including Wells Fargo with their MedCap alternative loans, which offers discounted interest rates and no application or disbursement fees, and the Health Professionals Loan from HSBC. It is recommended that you do not immediately pursue lending from banks or private lenders until you have exhausted all of your federal and national nurse association resources. With the increased demand for nurses, there are several resources available to make paying for your education affordable and worthwhile.

Top Online Nursing Degree Programs

Click Here	Kaplan University - R.N. to B.S.N. 20 Nursing Degrees. Kaplan University is dedicated to helping students acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to become respected nurses in the fast-growing health care field. Their flexible online nursing programs allow students to learn about the profession and practice at their own convenience.
Click Here	Indiana State University - L.P.N. to B.S.N. With rigorous nursing programs taught by practicing professionals and experts, Indiana State University strives to provide students with the quality education needed to become future leaders of tomorrow. They have contracts nationwide with over 200 health related agencies to provide the hands-on, clinical experience students need to prepare themselves for this rewarding industry.
Click Here	The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. For over 15 years, the College Network has helped thousands of students advance their career in the growing nursing field. They offer various nursing programs at an affordable price, helping students save 50% over traditional universities and colleges.

Paying for school is not easy, but we are here to help. OEDb's student finance section will help you find the money you need to pay your tuition and other college expenses. We cover scholarships, college grants, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are both forms of "free money", meaning they don't need to be paid back. Scholarships are typically awarded by businesses or individuals, with the money being earmarked specifically for tuition. They can be awarded based on a student's location or by religious affiliation, such as Catholicism or Islam. Grants are typically awarded by governments or non-profit organizations and the money often can be applied to several different expenses a student may incur, not solely tuition. They can be awarded based on location or ethnicity, for instance African American or Hispanic. Loans are not considered "free money", because unlike scholarships and grants, they do need to be paid back after graduation. Common federal loans include Perkins and Stafford. Loans are also available by location.