Radiation Therapy Programs with Financial Aid: Find Top Online Degrees
A radiation therapy degree is more possible with affordable programs and financial aid. This guide shows you how to earn your education while keeping your budget in check.
When you pursue a career in radiation therapy, you are signing up for a fulfilling and high-paying career where you’ll improve peoples’ lives each day. Before you make the leap into your studies, though, it is important to find a program that matches both your goals and your budget.
Whether you’re just starting a radiation therapy program or looking to earn a bachelor’s degree to advance your ongoing career, you can maximize the value of your degree by paying as little out of pocket as possible. You’ll also avoiding taking on too much debt.
For many students, seeking out financial aid feels confusing or becomes a huge hassle. It can be hard to figure out what options are out there, how to apply, and what strings are attached. Even so, it’s always worth the time and effort to figure out the process and track down every available funding opportunity.
We are here to get you started on your search for affordable programs and point you toward some valuable financial aid sources. Keep reading if you want to learn how to save money on tuition and expenses —we’ve got you covered.
Featured Radiation Therapy Programs with Financial Aid
There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing your perfect radiation therapy program. But, as you sift through options, make sure that affordability is high on the list. This means considering both the tuition and the types of financial aid the school has to offer.
In this section, we’ll highlight five radiation therapy programs that stand out in both categories. One of these schools may be right for you, but if not you can still use these programs as benchmarks for other options. Either way, take a few minutes to check out these schools of interest.
Amarillo College
Amarillo College is one of only a handful of schools that offer an online associate’s degree in radiation therapy. Instead of completing hands-on learning on campus, remote students are paired with high-quality clinics in their area to complete their clinical hours. This setup provides a comprehensive education that prepares you for licensure without the daily commute.
Amarillo College also stands out as a very affordable program. Depending on your residency, you can expect to pay between $112 and $305 per credit for this 65-credit program. But the low price tag isn’t the only perk. The Amarillo College Foundation awards more than $1 million in scholarships each year.
Academic merit and need are the primary considerations for financial aid at Amarillo College, but they also have specialized scholarships including ones targeted towards non-traditional students and transfers to a four-year program. If you’re considering Amarillo College, be sure to get your financial aid applications in early, since funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Loma Linda University
The Post-Professional Radiation Sciences online bachelor’s program at Loma Linda University is an excellent opportunity for licensed radiation therapists to complete their degree. Since this program is designed with working professionals in mind, it offers flexibility for people to study on their own schedule. You can complete this program in 12-24 months, depending on your preferred course load and academic history.
The program’s tuition is $16,800 per year for full-time students. Like all the programs on this list, Loma Linda has a generous financial aid budget. Students with a checkered academic past may be particularly interested in Loma Linda’s evaluation process, as the university will grant aid to students who’ve struggled to keep their grades up but are showing academic progress.
Loma Linda University also has dedicated financial aid advisors for each major, so you can be sure that your advisor is up-to-date on available funding opportunities in your field beyond what the school can offer.
The University of Iowa
The University of Iowa’s online RT to BS in radiation sciences offers students the chance to specialize. Depending on your interests, you can opt for one of four emphasis tracks within this field. This program has a generous transfer policy, which saves you money since you won’t be paying to repeat coursework. Since this program does not require clinical hours, you can expect a flexible, streamlined learning experience.
At $422 per credit, the University of Iowa is one of the more expensive programs on this list. That said, they do a great job helping students access financial aid. Aside from automatically considering students for scholarships and grants based on need and merit, the school offers advising services to help connect potential students with the resources they need.
The school also maintains an extensive database of internal, government, and private funding opportunities that may help you cover your costs.
The University of Oklahoma
The Online BS in Radiation Sciences at the University of Oklahoma is a degree completion program for licensed radiation therapists that can be completed in as few as 18 months. To help speed up your studies, students can transfer prerequisite credits from their associate’s degree program. Even if you have a few gaps on that front, you’ll have the opportunity to complete your last prerequisite courses during the program if you need to play catch-up.
Since the entire program is online, the University of Oklahoma extends its in-state tuition rate (a mere $179 per credit) to all students regardless of their residency. Aid decisions are primarily based on financial need, so this school is a great option for students with limited resources.
The university also have a special loan program for health services students. Beyond need-based aid, the school offers a number of in-house scholarships including multiple opportunities for Native American students.
Washburn University
Washburn’s Radiation Therapy (XT) program is a unique opportunity for students who have an associate’s degree in a related field and want to make the jump into radiation therapy.
This 40-credit program involves 100% online coursework combined with clinical hours at a site in your area. It is worth noting, though, that many of the classes in this program are synchronous, so you can schedule your other responsibilities around your coursework. After graduation, you’ll have the skills and knowledge required to earn your radiation therapist license. Students can complete this program in as few as 13 months of full-time study.
Online courses at Washburn cost $439 per credit for all students. Although this is on the more expensive side, you can offset your costs through Washburn’s easy-to-use financial aid program. All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships up to $5,000 per year based on your GPA, and additional scholarships are available based on your background or course of study.
Types of Financial Aid for Students in Radiation Therapy
Not all financial aid options are created equal. Each opportunity comes with different requirements and obligations. That said, most financial aid fits into three buckets: scholarships, grants, and loans. Below, we walk you through these most common types of financial aid and share a few great opportunities to get you started on your funding search.
Scholarships
Scholarships tend to refer to funding that is awarded based on your achievements, identity, or background. For example, you might earn a scholarship if you earned a stellar high school GPA, are a first-generation student, or are a part of a minority group.
While it is easy to think of scholarships as “free money,” there are some strings attached even if you don’t have to pay that money back. You may need to maintain a certain GPA or course load to keep your award. As you’re looking for financial aid, remember that scholarships come from all sorts of places. Typically, your institution will have internal scholarships, and you’ll be considered for some based on your Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). You can also seek out scholarships through professional organizations like the American Association of Radiologic Technologists or from private companies.
- ASRT Foundation Scholarships
- Elekta Funds Educational Scholarships for the Training of Radiation Therapists
- Imagine America Career College Scholarships to Radiation Therapy Schools
Grants
Like scholarships, you won’t have to pay back any grant money you receive. Although sometimes the terms “grant” and “scholarship” are used interchangeably, grants are typically awarded based on financial need rather than merit. Also note that the term “grant” can refer to funding for specific research projects rather than funding for individual students.
Most often your FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for grants from the government or an institution, but you can also look for grant money from outside sources. Since there is currently a national shortage of qualified radiation therapists, you’ll find there are plenty of private and government grant programs looking to support students in these programs.
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Annual Grants
- The Washington College Grant
- American Association of Medical Dosimetrists Grants
Loans
Although student loans sometimes get a bad rap, they can be an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to making your budget work. After you’ve exhausted scholarship and grant opportunities, you may look to loans to cover any gaps. After your FAFSA has been processed, you should receive an offer for a set amount of federal loans. These are a great first option since they have lower, fixed rates and more flexible repayment plans.
Some radiation therapists will even qualify for a loan forgiveness program, but this largely depends on where you choose to work after graduation. Depending on your needs, you may also consider private loans. If you have good credit, you can find some excellent rates through private lenders, but be mindful of the loan terms and try to take on as little debt as possible.
Six Steps to Ace Your Financial Aid Applications
As you’re tracking down money for school, it is important to start early and stay organized. While each opportunity will have its own application process and requirements, this checklist should keep you on the right track and set you up for success.
Complete the FAFSA Early
FAFSA is your first and best option for financial aid. When you submit your application, you’ll automatically be considered for hundreds of grants and scholarships, Potential programs will use your FAFSA information to put together a financial aid offer, and you’ll learn how much money you can take out in federal loans. If you’re applying for schools, fill out your application as soon as possible. There is only so much money to go around, and many opportunities are first-come, first-served.
Thoroughly Review Eligibility Criteria & Requirements
Searching for schools and scholarships can really eat into your free time, so don’t make more work for yourself by applying for opportunities you’ll never get. Carefully read all scholarship or grant information and make sure that you check all the boxes before you start putting your application together. If you’re not sure you meet the mark, don’t be afraid to reach out to the organization for clarification.
Check Deadlines and Apply Early
Besides FAFSA opportunities, most scholarship applications aren’t reviewed until after the submission deadline. But there are still good reasons to submit early. First of all, it’ll feel good to check the task off your to-do list and get onto something more interesting. Second, and more importantly, you don’t want to miss out on an award because you rushed the application process. Starting early gives you a chance to polish your application materials, check for errors, and correct any issues that might come up.
Gather all of the Necessary Documents
There will be plenty of paperwork to wrangle when you’re applying for grants and scholarships. Some documents, like application essays or statements of purpose, should be customized for each opportunity. But other ones, like your transcripts and CV, shouldn’t change that much between applications. You can save yourself a headache by making sure you have all your application materials organized and easy to access.
Receive Feedback on Supplemental Materials
Whether you’re confident in your writing or suffering from imposter syndrome, it can be helpful to get an outside opinion on your work. After you’ve completed your statement of purpose, application essays, or any other original work, take the time to seek feedback from someone you trust. If you are currently a student, you can get support from your school’s writing center or advisor. Alternatively, you can seek feedback from a strong writer in your life or even hire an editor to take a look at your work.
Review Award Letters
Once you’ve submitted all your applications and start hearing back, it is important to carefully review the terms of all the funding you are offered. The most important letters will come from FAFSA and your future school, since these sources will likely make up the bulk of your funding. Make sure you are clear on how much you are being offered, where you can use the funds (scholarships that pay for living expenses or just tuition), and what strings are attached (recipients maintaining a certain course load or GPA). Also note that some scholarships and grants, particularly those from outside your institution, might require you to submit a project or attend an event as part of the award.
