Online ADN Programs with Financial Aid: Which Schools Offer It?

Understanding Financial Aid for Online ADN Programs

One of the biggest benefits of online ADN programs is that they’re often available from public community colleges. Community colleges almost always feature tuition rates lower than those at four-year colleges and universities. And that means real affordability. Nevertheless, the vast majority of ADN students, whether they pursue their degrees at a community college or elsewhere, will need to obtain some form of financial aid to help pay for their education. The good news is you’ll find a variety of financial aid types offered or accepted by most online ADN programs, including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study opportunities, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and more.

To get you started, EduMed’s guide has provided profiles of three quality online ADN programs that offer and accept financial aid. These profiles will provide you with a good understanding of how you can put financial aid resources to work in paying for your nursing degree.

ADN Programs with Financial Aid: Answers to Your Questions

The profiles above are helpful in providing an understanding of how financial aid works in specific programs, but you likely still have plenty of questions about financial aid for ADN programs. To help, here are the answers to four often-asked questions by ADN students about student finances and financial aid.

Will financial aid pay for nursing school?

Financial aid can help pay for your nursing education, but how much will depend on you and the financial aid sources available. You may well need to find more than one source if you’re hoping to fully fund your ADN program, which is not unusual. It’s also not unusual for most nursing students to pay for at least part of their degree programs through student loans. Consider other financial aid types as well, including scholarships, grants, and employer tuition reimbursement. You may still have some out-of-pocket costs, too.

How do you survive financially during nursing school?

Attending nursing school can put financial strain on any student. Along with the costs of your nursing program, you will still have expenses like rent, food, clothing, and transportation. Fortunately, there are ways to make it through financially, but you’ll have to start with a frugal mindset. That will include cutting back on unnecessary expenses, making and sticking to a realistic budget, seeking low-cost housing (smaller apartment, sharing a place with a roommate, living with family), looking for free activities, and working part-time.

As for school, consider used textbooks and course materials, and make sure you’re taking advantage of all financial aid opportunities available. Remember, nursing school is temporary, and a well-paying RN job is just around the corner.

Can FAFSA be used for nursing school?

Not only can FAFSA be used for nursing school, it is essential for all nursing students intending on pursuing practically any type of financial aid to help pay for their studies. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the federal government’s form through which it’s determined if college students are eligible for any of the wide variety of federal financial aid resources. (More on Federal Student Aid below.) FAFSA is also used by many colleges and universities for administering their own financial aid programs. Since most federal aid resources are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, you’ll want to submit your FAFSA application as soon as possible.

How much debt will I have from nursing school?

The most recent (2022) estimate from the Education Data Initiative places the average debt for individual students in registered nursing associate degree programs in the U.S. at $17,510. That figure is in line with those from several other sources in recent years. If there’s any good news it’s that the most recent (May 2023) mean annual salary figure from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for registered nurses is $94,480.

Financial Assistance Options for ADN Students

Financial aid comes in a variety of forms, so it’s helpful to learn the nuances of each, like which ones you must pay back, what they can cover, and more. Below, you’ll learn about several of the most common types of financial aid you’ll find in your research. We’ve included examples of scholarships available to ADN students as well.

Federal Student Aid

The federal government is a major player when it comes to financial help for college. ADN students may be eligible for a number of funding opportunities through the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid program, including subsidized and unsubsidized loans, Pell grants, work-study jobs, and loan forgiveness. Opportunities are available from other federal agencies as well, like the scholarships and loan repayment opportunities from the Health Resources & Services Administration. Access to all of these resources requires submittal of the FAFSA application.

Institutional Aid

Most nursing schools provide their own financial aid opportunities. They understand how difficult it can be to afford ADN programs and offer a number of funding options to ensure that their students can afford a nursing education. Options often include school-sponsored scholarships, grants, and work-study jobs. Most nursing schools today also offer generous payment plans (see below) in which students can pay their tuition over time in monthly installments or defer paying altogether until after they’ve earned their degree.

Payment Plans

Tuition payment plans are a great option for students who are unable to pay their entire tuition bill up front. Essentially loans, tuition payment plans typically require students to make a down payment on their tuition at the beginning of the term and then continue to make installment payments monthly. Other plans allow students to defer payment on their tuition until after graduation. Most plans are interest-free, but you’ll likely pay an enrollment fee as well as penalties for late or returned payments.

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants should be at the top of your list since neither type requires repayment, essentially making them “free money” for your nursing education. You’ll want to choose carefully, since application requirements are often very specific, and many merit-based scholarships are highly competitive.

Examples:

A Nurse I Am Scholarship

• Amount: $3,000
• Sponsored by Cherokee Uniforms, this scholarship is available to students actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate nurse education program in the United States. Ten scholarships are awarded annually.

Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• One-time award open to non-traditional students (defined as having a minimum three-year gap between high school and college) who are enrolled full-time in an associate or bachelor’s in nursing degree program.

Evan James Vaillancourt Memorial Scholarship

• Amount: $1,200
• Honoring the memory of a former Army medic who was training to become a trauma nurse, this award is available to high school seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and history of volunteering experience or community service who are pursuing a degree in nursing.

F.A. Davis Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000
• Eligibility requirements for this one-time award include enrollment in a nursing or health science degree or certificate program and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must submit a short essay describing how they were inspired to pursue a career in healthcare.

FNSNA Undergraduate Scholarships

• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Available to pre-nursing students currently enrolled in undergraduate nursing programs. Award criteria include academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in nursing student organizations and community activities related to health care.