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Online Pharmacy Tech Programs with Financial Aid: Find Top Schools

Studying online to become apharmacy technician allows you to earn qualifications and prepare for certification exams in as little as a few months. Though online learning is often more affordable than a traditional in-person program, the financial burden can be substantial. Financial aid can help students in these programs. Read on to learn about online pharmacy technician programs with financial aid.

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Author: Ellery Weil, PhD
Editor: Ginny Gillikin

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Online Pharmacy Technician Programs with Financial Aid Support

Financial aid opportunities for online pharmacy technician programs vary. Some schools have a dedicated fund so they can offer aid to eligible students. These funds can be awarded on the basis of need, merit, or both. Other schools, including those who offer no institutional aid, will accept federally subsidized grants and loans that help fund your education.

It’s important to make sure that your school is accredited, both to ensure the legitimacy of your program and to ensure that you’re eligible for federal aid. To help you research schools, we’ll provide info on online pharmacy technician programs that offer and/or accept financial aid.

UEI College

UEI College’sPharmacy Technician Training program offers online classes plus hands-on training and labs. These courses will prepare you for an entry-level position as a billing and quality technician, a compounding technician, or a certified pharmacy technician.

UEI College offers students access to financial aid through the following programs:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loans
  • Federal Student PLUS Loans

To apply for financial aid, you must be enrolled at UEI College and submit a FAFSA form.

American National University

American National University’s (ANU)Pharmacy Technician program teaches students about pharmacy law, basic chemistry, pharmacy procedures, and medical terminology. The program includes an externship in a retail pharmacy or another healthcare setting. In addition to tuition, students are responsible for additional costs like lab fees, books, and supplies. Alumni can access ANU’s career services and tuition-free refresher courses throughout their career.

The program is accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accrediting Commission (PTAC), which is a collaboration between the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University’sOnline Pharmacy Technician program allows students to earn certification in as few as nine months. The program prepares you to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

Students are encouraged to apply for FAFSA to check their eligibility for a variety of funding opportunities.

Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its Pharmacy Technician program is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), which is recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

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FAQs on Financial Aid and Funding for Students

It’s understandable that you have questions about online pharmacy technician schools, financial aid, and what to expect from these programs. Below, we explore some of the most commonly asked questions for prospective online pharmacy technician students.

If I fill out a FAFSA form, can I receive financial aid for pharmacy technician schools?

By submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, you might receive grants and/or loans for accredited educational programs, including pharmacy technician programs. If you are awarded a loan, as opposed to a grant, that loan will be federally subsidized. Generally, loans have more favorable terms than a private loan from a bank; the loan might eventually be forgiven if you work as a public servant. Remember that the FAFSA has a deadline; you must submit your FAFSA form as early as possible to have a greater chance at receiving aid.

Do pharmacy technicians get benefits?

If you work full-time as a pharmacy technician, you are eligible to receive benefits, and most employers provide them. For example, CVS Health – one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country – offers a variety of benefits to its employees (including pharmacy technicians). These benefits include a 401(k) plan for retirement, a tuition reimbursement program for future study, and employee discounts. Benefits packages vary substantially from job to job and can be a major factor in what role you decide to take. So, you should research what benefits are offered when you apply for a position as a pharmacy technician.

How much does it cost to go to school for pharmacy technician training?

The cost of pharmacy technician training can vary widely from program to program. Some programs are available at no cost, such as at New York University’s Pharmacy Technician Training program. An automatic scholarship for the Mayo Clinic’s Pharmacy Technician program covers all costs. But, some programs cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Note that a program’s “sticker price” does not necessarily reflect what you will pay. Costs can be higher if additional lab or technology fees are required, but they can be lowered substantially if you qualify for financial aid.

Can you live off a pharmacy technician’s salary?

The average annual salary for a pharmacy technician was $40,300 in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Whether or not this is enough for you and/or any dependents to live on depends on your location, your personal circumstances, and other factors It’s important to note that salaries for pharmacy technicians vary by location. Pharmacy technicians in California earn the highest salary in the country, with an average annual income of $55,710. Generally, pharmacy technicians in large cities earn more than those in rural areas.

Types of Financial Aid for Pharmacy Technician Students

A variety of financial aid opportunities are available for pharmacy technician students. The types that are best for you depend on what you qualify for, your school’s resources, and more. Listed below are some of the most common funding options for pharmacy technician students, online and otherwise.

Federal Student Aid

Federal student aid can be in the form of grants, loans, and/or work-study programs. Generally, you apply for federal aid of all kinds when you fill out a FAFSA form. If your pharmacy technician program is accredited (which it should be, regardless of financial aid, as accreditation gives your program legitimacy to future employers), you’ll be eligible to receive aid. Be sure to submit your FAFSA by the deadline to ensure that you are considered for federal student aid.

Institutional Aid

Institutional aid comes directly from a school. For example, the Mayo Clinic’s Pharmacy Technician program allows all admitted students to automatically receive a Mayo Clinic Workforce Development Scholarship, which covers all program costs. Some institutional aid might not cover the full cost of pharmacy technician school. Some aid will be awarded based on need and/or merit rather than being offered to all students. Check your school’s financial aid office for more details.

Payment Plans

Payment plans do not distribute money to you; they let you pay program costs at a pace that works for you. This includes deferring payment until after you complete your program or paying a certain amount each month until your debt is paid off. Note that many payment plans charge interest, so you might end up paying a larger amount in total over a particular amount of time.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants from private organizations give money directly to students. These funds can be used for a pharmacy technician’s education. Scholarships and grants are often awarded based on a combination of need and merit. Some have additional eligibility criteria and are intended to help students from underrepresented backgrounds (such as students who are part of a racial minority or identify as LGBTQ) become pharmacy technicians. Each grant or scholarship will have a deadline and require submission of certain materials, so you might need to track your applications on a spreadsheet.

Examples:

GoodRx Students for Healthcare Equity Scholarship
  • Amount: $5,000
  • This scholarship is designed to foster diversity by helping students from minority or underrepresented backgrounds pursue degrees and certificates in the healthcare field. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered.
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT) Scholarship
  • Amount: Varies
  • The AAPT sponsors this scholarship for future pharmacy technicians. You must be a member of the AAPT and be enrolled in an accredited pharmacy technician program when you apply to be considered.

Find more scholarships specifically for pharmacy technician students.

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Ellery Weil, PhD AUTHOR

Dr. Ellery Weil holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, and a master's degree and PhD in History from University College London, and has been writing professionally in the higher education sector and for nutrition and wellness spaces for over six years. In addition to her work below, her writing has been published by Pearson, Arizona State University, BestColleges, A-List Education, and more.

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Ginny Gillikin EDITOR

Ginny Gillikin is a detail-oriented and dedicated professional with over 3 years of experience as a copy editor. She enjoys editing and fact-checking informative and engaging content for healthcare and nursing education websites. Ginny earned a Communication/Print Journalism BA degree and an English minor from Virginia Tech.

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