Guide to the Top Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs with Financial Aid
Discover financial aid options and great degree programs that allow you to advance your nursing practice and take your career to the next level.
Experienced nurses often make a leap to greater career heights by becoming a nurse practitioner. The NP track is also a great move if you want to directly enter the nursing profession from a different background.
Either way, you may have questions or concerns about the financial burden of going back to school to pursue an advanced nursing degree. Many aspiring nurse practitioners face the same concern and must discern how they can afford the cost of advancing their education.
The good news is that there are online NP programs designed with students like you in mind. Numerous financial aid opportunities are available for nurses looking to advance their careers. By pursuing a NP degree online, you will be able to balance your education with personal and professional commitments. By offering financial aid options, these programs can help make your career dreams a reality.
Now is an excellent time to reach your full potential as a healthcare provider. Exploring programs that offer financial assistance is an important first step in a brighter future for yourself and in the difference you will make in patient lives. Your future as a nurse practitioner is within reach – seize the opportunity and start your journey today. Read below for some solid options for both your education and financial aid.
Finance Features: Nurse Practitioner Programs with Aid
Imagine being able to pursue your NP degree without worrying about how you’ll pay for it. This is more possible with affordable online NP programs in addition to financial aid, scholarships, or grants, which allow you to focus on what truly matters: developing the skills and knowledge needed to provide exemplary patient care. These NP programs are committed to helping you succeed.
Purdue Global University
If you’re looking for a flexible and affordable online nurse practitioner program then consider Purdue Global University’s Master of Science in Nursing program. With six specialty NP tracks from which to choose, students are sure to find the perfect course to meet their career goals. Purdue has experienced faculty members to assist online students in successfully completing their online nurse practitioner program, and it is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
To help make education more accessible, Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs through financial aid programs, grants and loans, military discounts, and corporate partner benefits. Program cost is $420 per quarter credit hour with a 10% price reduction for Indiana residents.
Texas Tech University
The online master’s degree programs at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center based in Lubbock, Texas include six different APRN specialties. Texas Tech believes funding an advanced practice nursing degree is important so they automatically have all students who enroll submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure everyone who is eligible for financial aid can receive it.
In addition, Texas Tech University offers scholarships to students enrolled in the school of nursing. Its Health Sciences Center is committed to making an advanced nursing degree affordable and offers tuition at $265 per credit for in-state residents and $685 per credit for non-residents. The University accepts financial aid, scholarships, grants, and offers loans to help students reach their goals. All degree programs at TTU-HSC are accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing and the CCNE. Texas Tech’s dedication to affordability and financial aid options can help nurses achieve their dream of becoming advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
University of Cincinnati Online
Offering you a degree within your budget is one belief held by the University of Cincinnati Online. Here, aspiring NPs can utilize an online tuition calculator to customize their desired area of study and receive straightforward information on pricing and program costs. The University of Cincinnati Online provides an affordable, high-quality education with no surprise costs or fees so students can spend more time focusing on their studies and less time worrying about the associated costs.
Tuition help is available through its Student Financial Aid Office. Costs of the NP program will vary based on enrollment status (part-time versus full-time) and whether or not students are residents of Ohio. Tuition assistance, financial aid, military benefits, and scholarships are offered to eligible students, and the University of Cincinnati Online strongly encourages prospective students to speak with an online enrollment services advisor to help answer questions and maximize available financial resources to reduce costs.
Walden University
At Walden University, NP students may benefit from numerous financial assistance options. Its online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers numerous NP specialties and is accredited by the CCNE. Walden has enrollment specialists available to help prospective NP students identify and leverage opportunities available to help save them money.
This includes, unique to Walden University, its new Believe and Achieve Scholarship that is available to all eligible students seeking their MSN. Walden University also offers Tempo Learning, which offers subscription pricing with every fourth subscription period resulting in the next one being tuition-free. At Walden University, programs are designed to be custom-paced while its subscription-based model offers maximized savings. Recognizing U.S. military members, Walden University also offers students who are service members, veterans, or employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs an additional 10% savings on tuition for the life of their program.
Popular Funding Options for Aspiring Nurse Practitioners
It is essential to understand the various online resources and scholarships available to finance your MSN education. The three most common forms of financial assistance for NP students are scholarships, grants, and loans. Familiarizing yourself with these options will help you to make informed decisions and create a funding plan that works best for you.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a form of financial aid that does not require repayment, making them a desirable option for NP students. Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes. They can be merit-based, awarded for academic excellence, or given out based on financial need. Scholarships can come from a variety of sources such as private organizations, professional associations, community groups, and educational institutions.
Many universities offer institutional scholarships specifically for graduate nursing students enrolled in their programs. Additionally, there are numerous private scholarships for NP students that often focus on specific specialties, regions, or personal characteristics. Researching and applying for these scholarships can help reduce the overall cost of a NP degree program.
- Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation Scholarship
- National Health Service Corps Scholarship
- EduMed’s Scholarship Central
Grants
Grants are an excellent option for NP students looking to minimize their educational debt because, like scholarships, they rarely require repayment. Grants come from a host of different sources, including federal and state governments, private organizations, and educational institutions.
To obtain a grant, students must carefully follow application guidelines and consider that grants are awarded for certain factors such as financial need or specific demographic criteria. Taking advantage of grant opportunities allows NP students to significantly reduce the financial burden of their advanced nursing education and allows them to focus on their studies and career progression.
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- National Institute of Nursing Research
- Health Resources & Services Administration
Loans
Loans are a common form of financial assistance for NP students. Loans allow students to access borrowed funds that are paid back with interest following graduation. Student loans can be received from both federal and private sources. Federal loans, such as direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, usually offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options compared to private loans. In contrast, private loans from banks, credit unions, and other lenders may have varying terms and interest rates. As a nursing professional, some NP students may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness or specialized repayment plans.
How to Get the Most Out of Financial Aid
Navigating the financial aid landscape can be daunting, but with the right information and preparation you can maximize your chances of securing funding. With so many options available, it is important to understand the process of obtaining the funds needed to become an NP. In the next section, we’ve crafted a comprehensive financial aid eligibility and application checklist specifically tailored for NP students.
Complete the FAFSA Early
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, enables students to access federal financial assistance for their educational pursuits. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office, the FAFSA has helped many aspiring nurse practitioners successfully fund their education. Completing the FAFSA early is recommended to improve your chances of receiving funds before they run out.
Thoroughly Review Eligibility Criteria & Requirements
When it comes to securing financial aid for your online Nurse Practitioner (NP) education, the first and most crucial step is to thoroughly review eligibility criteria and requirements for each type of aid you’re considering. Taking the time to review these requirements early on can save you valuable time and effort by ensuring that you only apply for financial aid opportunities that align with your unique circumstances.
Check Deadlines and Apply Early
When applying for financial aid as a NP student you must check deadlines and consider submitting applications early. Financial aid deadlines vary depending on the type of aid and the organization offering it. In addition to meeting deadlines, applying early can provide other benefits, as that demonstrates your proactiveness and commitment to your NP education.
Gather All Necessary Documents
Regardless of which form of financial assistance you seek, you will need to gather personal, academic, and professional documents to help verify your identity and ensure your applications are processed correctly. Because you are also applying to graduate school, additional information from your undergraduate program and time spent working as a nurse may also be required. Having a comprehensive document set ready will streamline the application process.
Receive Feedback on Supplemental Materials
Some nurse practitioner applications may require materials beyond the standard forms and documents. These materials might include essays, personal statements, and letters of recommendation, and they provide an opportunity for you to showcase your own qualifications, experiences, and goals for enrolling in an online NP program. To ascertain if these materials effectively support your application, it’s beneficial to seek feedback from trusted sources before submitting them.
Review Award Letters
Award letters are official documents sent by financial aid organizations, detailing the type and amount of funding they are offering you for your NP education. Carefully reviewing these letters allows you to understand your financial aid package. Read through all of the information provided when you receive an award letter, as it will typically outline the specific types of aid being offered, terms and conditions, and requirements for maintaining eligibility.
