CNA Classes with Financial Aid: Find Programs with Funding

Examining Online CNA Classes and Their Financial Aid Options

Affordability and short completion times are major benefits of CNA classes, and with making the transition to online learning, you can add study flexibility to the mix. It’s important to understand at the outset, however, that online CNA classes are not 100% online. Given the hands-on nature of nursing practice, CNA classes will be hybrid, meaning that it will include in-person components in the form of campus-based skills labs and on-site clinical experiences completed in real world, program-affiliated practice settings.

In regard to funding assistance, you’ll find that most online CNA programs offer a number of in-house financial aid resources that commonly include scholarships for healthcare students, grants, work-study jobs, and tuition installment and deferment plans. Most programs also accept student aid of similar types from external funding sources. CNA classes may also offer access to federal financial aid sources like student loans, federal work-study, and possibly even tuition repayment opportunities.

Use EduMed’s guide to help you get a handle on how distance learning and financial aid works in nursing assistant programs.

Student Support: FAQs About CNA Programs

The profiles above offer a good look at different means of funding your online nursing assistant training, but they’ve likely raised a number of other questions. For additional help, here are the answers to four of the most often-asked questions by prospective CNA students.

Will financial aid pay for CNA classes?

Financial aid can help pay for your CNA program, even potentially paying for your CNA education entirely. We’ve mentioned several times in this guide that the most common types of financial aid available include scholarships, grants, work-study, and employer tuition reimbursement.

You’ll have to do some research to dig out any and all funding opportunities that are out there. The good news is that you won’t have to go it alone. Start by contacting the financial aid offices at the schools you’re considering. They’ll be able to fill you in on most all potential aid resources you’re eligible for. You may also be eligible for student loans, although you’ll find that most lenders will only provide loans to students in CNA classes that award college credits.

How much does it cost to get your CNA online?

The cost of your CNA education will depend on a number of factors, the most impactful being the type of credential your program offers (associate degree, for-credit certificate, certificate of completion, etc.), and, for many programs from public schools, whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident. That being said, you’ll find in your program search that costs for online CNA classes range from just over $1,000 for basic, short-term CNA courses to as much as $10,000 to $15,000 or more for a full associate degree program.

It’s also important to have a clear understanding of what the cost figures listed on CNA class websites include. Many figures are for tuition only and do not include additional program fees and the costs of such things as textbooks and other course materials, uniforms and equipment needed for clinicals, state certification exam fees, etc.

Can you claim CNA classes on taxes?

Chances are that you can; there are two programs available that could lower your total federal tax bill: the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC). The AOTC offers a tax credit of up to $2,500 annually for qualifying education expenses to students during the first four years of their pursuit of a degree or other recognized education credential. The LLC offers a tax credit (up to $2,000 per tax year) for qualifying tuition and related expenses. Other federal and state tax benefits may also be available. Just be sure to review all program details carefully.

Do CNAs get tuition reimbursement?

Tuition reimbursement programs may be available to some CNA students through government programs like the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) and the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). State and local job assistance agencies as well as individual private employers may also offer tuition reimbursement for CNA classes.

Typical Financial Aid Options for CNA Students

The following section highlights various types of resources available to help finance your CNA education. We’ve also included at the bottom examples of several scholarship opportunities for qualifying CNA students. Remember, you’re not limited to one type of aid; in fact, it’s in your interest to obtain funding from as many of these sources as possible.

Federal Student Aid

The federal government is one of the biggest sources of financial aid for college students. Common types of federal student aid include grants, work-study jobs, and – biggest of all – student loans. The issue when it comes to federal aid for CNA classes is eligibility. For example, for-credit programs offered by accredited community colleges are usually eligible for federal aid. On the other hand, stand-along short-term non-credit CNA classes are typically not. You’ll need to speak with a financial aid officer or program representative to find out if federal aid is available for any CNA class you’re considering.

Institutional Aid

With the limitations you may find for federal funding, your most important resource for financial help in paying for your CNA education will be your school itself. Schools offering CNA classes typically offer a number of funding opportunities (scholarships, grants, tuition discounts and payment plans) to their students. They know ensuring that students have secure resources to pay for their classes is good for both the student and the program. That’s why your first stop in searching for help in paying for your CNA training is at your school’s financial aid office.

Payment Plans

To help mitigate the financial burden of paying for classes in one upfront payment, most schools today offer tuition payment plans to their CNA students. Often administered by third-party lenders, these plans allow students to either spread out tuition costs through the use of monthly installment payments or defer payment altogether until after program completion. In most cases, these payment plans are interest free, but do commonly charge enrollment fees as well as penalties for late or returned payments.

Scholarships & Grants

While CNA students have access to an array of financial aid resources, scholarships and grants should receive special attention. That’s because scholarships and grants are not paid back, making them essentially free money for your education. Be careful in your choice of the ones to apply to, however, since many are highly competitive and come with very specific application requirements. Nevertheless, it’s well worth your time and effort to seek out scholarships and grants you’re eligible for.

Examples:

Certified Nursing Assistant Scholarship

• Amount: $500
• The Mercer Foundation for Health offers an annual scholarship for Illinois-based CNA students. Applicants must include two letters of recommendation, complete an interview, and answer an essay question.

Goodman Foundation Scholarships

• Amount: Varies
• A limited number of scholarships are available to students in the hybrid nursing assistant program offered on the Goodman South Campus of Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin. Must show proof of financial need or belong to a racial/ethnic underrepresented group.

Midwest Medical Center CNS Scholarships

• Amount: Up to $2,000
• The Midwest Medical Center in Galena, Illinois, offers these scholarships to help pay for the CNA training of current and future MMC employees. Recipients must commit to employment at MMC for a minimum of one year.

MorseLife Health System/South Florida Health Care Institute CNA Scholarship Program

• Amount: Full tuition.
• Full tuition scholarship for CNA training program at the South Florida Health Care Institute in Boca Raton. Recipients must commit to a 12-month employment contract with the MorseLife Health System which includes a $2,000 signing bonus paid over the first year of employment.

St. John’s United/Montana Health FCU Certified Nursing Assistant Scholarship

• Amount: $450
• Ten awards are made annually to students interested in gaining CNA certification and employment with St. John’s United, a provider of assisted senior living facilities in the Billings, Montana, area. Recipients must agree to work for St. John’s United for a period of six months or 1,000 work hours, whichever is completed first.