Most Affordable Online LPN Programs
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An affordable online LPN program can prepare you with the skills you need at a price you can afford. Keep reading for a look at top programs, featured scholarships, and more.
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Whether you’re looking for a steppingstone to RN certification or a launchpad into the workforce, earning your LPN certification is a valuable step in your nursing career and can lead to professional opportunities in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, and more. Like many prospective nursing students, however, you may at some point have thought that this certification was out of reach because programs were too inflexible, didn’t align with your schedule, or — most importantly of all — were simply too expensive. Fortunately, affordable online LPN programs are available that can meet your needs and prepare you for your future, all without straining your budget.
Regardless of where you are in your search, there are a few key aspects you’ll want to consider before beginning your program, including accreditation, financial aid, payment plans, and access to educational resources. We explore these features, top affordable online LPN programs that offer them, available scholarships, and more in this guide.
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A Look at Affordable Online LPN Programs
Getting your LPN doesn’t have to interfere with your schedule or your budget. Affordable online LPN programs offer remote courses that allow you to work toward certification without sacrificing your current professional or personal responsibilities. The best of these also offer scholarship opportunities, student discounts, and customizable payment plans. Let’s take a closer look at a few below.
Chancellor Institute
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With grants, scholarships, loans, and other financial aid options, Chancellor Institute provides an affordable online LPN program for entry level nursing students. In addition to affordable costs, offset by federal Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, direct plus loans, and state grants and scholarships, Chancellor Institute nursing students have access to an impressive LPN curriculum that they can feel confident will prepare them for their careers.
The program is highly flexible and can be completed in as few as 15 months. There are no prerequisites, so students can jump straight into the program and practice the practical skills they’ll need to excel professionally. Though they have the option of moving onto an RN program, many graduates immediately obtain nursing jobs after completing the program.
Rasmussen University
This fast-track LPN program is ideal for students who want to learn the foundational principles and practical skills of nursing – all with the convenience of hybrid courses. While other LPN programs have one or two start dates per academic year, this affordable online LPN program at Rasmussen University offers eight start dates, so students can begin their studies when it suits them.
The fast-paced, 12-month curriculum walks students through holistic care techniques, gerontological nursing, mental health nursing, and more. They learn from experienced nursing professionals and have the opportunity to practice their skills across various healthcare settings, including clinics, hospitals, and long-term care centers. Rasmussen offers competitive tuition rates, as well as additional funding options through grants and financial aid. Students can earn up to $2,000 in tuition assistance through the LPN Care Grant.
Verve College
The affordable online LPN program at Verve College adopts a hybrid learning style, so students can reap the benefits of both online and in-person learning. Students attend weekly clinicals, either on-campus, or at an off-site healthcare setting; all theory-based classes are held synchronously online. The curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of nursing fundamentals, so graduates are well-prepared to begin working as nurses upon completion of the program. Courses cover a wide range of topics within the general fields of pharmacology, anatomy, pediatrics, adult care, palliative care, and more. Once students complete the program, they are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam.
Verve College offers competitive pricing in their LPN program, as well as financial aid to all applicants who have submitted their FAFSA.
Features of an Affordable LPN Program
When choosing your LPN program, it’s important to know the signs of high-quality instruction and affordability. Reputable institutions with affordable online LPN programs will be accredited, offer financial aid services and funding opportunities, and have open access to program resources, among other features we’ll discuss in greater detail below.
Accreditation
Accreditation is not only an indicator of a reputable institution and high-quality programs, but a key factor in determining whether students are eligible for federal financial aid. When looking for affordable online LPN programs, make sure to do some research on the institution’s website to confirm their accreditation status with bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Discounts or Waivers
Some institutions offer special discounts or waivers to members of certain groups. Veterans, for example, may receive discounts or tuition waivers to help cover their program costs. Students can use this financial assistance to cover tuition or materials.
Financial Aid Options
Students can make their LPN program more affordable by taking advantage of their institution’s financial aid services. Grants and scholarships are among the most common types of funding, but some institutions also offer work-study programs or loans. You should also complete the FAFSA to make yourself eligible for additional financial aid opportunities.
Open Educational Resources
Behind tuition, course materials can be some of the most expensive parts of an LPN program. To make your LPN program more affordable, look for programs that offer open access to educational resources. These could include textbooks, learning modules, digital libraries, and other material that can support your studies and/or clinicals.
Payment Plans
Paying tuition in full upfront can be challenging, if not impossible, for many students. To alleviate this burden, some institutions allow students to pay for their LPN program in installments, rather than all at once. Bear in mind, however that while these payment plans have many benefits, they may also come with more rigorous protocols and steep late fees that you should be aware of prior to committing. To avoid any potential issues, discuss all stipulations with your institution’s department of financial aid.
How to Reduce the Cost of Your Online Nursing Program
Most high-quality LPN programs can be made affordable with the right financial planning. In addition to attending a school with the features listed above, there are a number of creative ways you can reduce the cost of your education – some of which you may already be doing. Here are some simple and effective strategies for making your LPN program more affordable:
Apply for Scholarships and Grants
The first step in making your LPN program more affordable is applying for scholarships and grants, as these can significantly lower your costs. You should apply for as many as possible through federal, state, and university sources. To manage your applications effectively, plan to apply to a certain number of scholarships and grants on a weekly or monthly basis.
Budget and Make a Financial Plan
After applying for financial aid and receiving funding assistance through scholarships, grants, discounts, or loans, you’ll have a clear idea of how much your LPN program will cost. At that point, it will be time to make a financial plan to ensure you can make your payments. Start by making a budget and setting aside the amount you’ll need for your program and other essentials in small amounts, ideally on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
Maintain Part-Time Employment
With a flexible online LPN program, working adults can maintain part-time employment throughout the duration of their studies. Make sure your program offers asynchronous learning, so you can access your course materials at any time without compromising your work schedule.
Take Advantage of Employer Tuition Assistance
As part of your employee benefits package, you may be eligible to receive partial or full tuition coverage for your LPN program. While your employer may cover any LPN program of your choosing, some have partnerships with specific universities. If tuition assistance is not part of your benefits, you may still be able to take advantage of this opportunity by making a pitch to your employer.
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Scholarships for LPN/LVN Students
Scholarships are far and away the best source of financial aid, and applying for those specifically for LPN students can significantly lower the cost of your program. These funds, which never have to be repaid, can cover not only tuition and program fees, but course materials, and nursing equipment. Use the scholarships listed here as a starting point and look for additional opportunities through your university, city, and state.
Ballad Health
Ballad Health offers scholarships and loan options that cover a portion of tuition as well as fees and textbooks to LPN students. Scholarship winners must agree to work with Ballad Health upon completion of their LPN program. Those who receive loan assistance must take on full-time positions with Ballad Health at acute care or long-term care facilities after graduation.
- Award Amount: Varies
Coursey Enterprises
Coursey Enterprises provides medical supplies and nursing equipment to schools throughout the United States. They award two scholarships each semester to nursing students in their first year of study. Students must be currently enrolled in an LPN program to be eligible.
- Award Amount: $250
FNSNA
This scholarship is available to LPN students transitioning into an RN program or enrolled in an accelerated LPN program. Eligible students must demonstrate their academic achievements and involvement in community health activities or nursing organizations.
- Award Amount: $10,000
HCA Healthcare Careers
HCA Healthcare Careers awards scholarships to nursing students enrolled in LPN programs who are also employed as nurse externs. Scholarship winners must agree to complete two years of full-time employment as LPNs in an HCA Healthcare West Florida Division hospital after graduating.
- Award Amount: $10,000
Nebraska Health Care Association
Nebraska Healthcare Association awards three scholarships per quarter to nursing students pursuing careers as certified nurses in Nebraska. Funds can cover a variety of expenses, such as tuition, course materials, and nursing equipment. Winners commit to working in a Nebraska nursing institution or assisted living community.
- Award Amount: $500