Guide to Financial Aid and Scholarships for Nurses

Nursing school can open the door to a rewarding career, but paying for nursing school can feel overwhelming.

If you’re wondering how to afford tuition, fees, supplies, and other nursing school expenses, you’re not alone. This guide offers practical solutions through nursing scholarships, grants, and other financial aid resources tailored to help nursing students cover their education costs.

Whether you’re just starting or advancing your nursing degree, you’ll learn how to reduce or even eliminate out-of-pocket costs and find funding that fits your goals and qualifications.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your first step toward securing financial aid for nursing school. It determines your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, including grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Even if you already have a plan to pay for school, completing the FAFSA can reveal opportunities you didn’t know existed.

Many aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so submit your application as early as possible. Be mindful of state and school deadlines, which may differ from the federal deadline.

Most nursing schools use FAFSA information to determine your financial aid package, so it’s essential to fill it out accurately and on time.

Nursing students can apply for scholarships and grants based on their achievements or financial need. Typically, you don’t repay grants and scholarships when you meet the eligibility requirements. However, you may have to repay the funds if you do not meet the requirements. Work-study programs allow you to earn money to pay for some school expenses.

Unlike scholarships and grants, you must repay student loans after completing your degree, often with interest. You can defer some student loan repayments until after graduation, while others require repayment within weeks of receiving the funds. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) estimates that 76% of undergraduate nurses accrue student debt.

According to a 2024 survey of 500 nurses with student loans, the average loan debt was roughly half their average income, around $40,600. More than 65% of those nurses felt anxious when they checked their balance, and only 32% were likely to speak with a financial expert.

Nursing students apply for school loans like other college students — by submitting the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine federal aid eligibility or applying for private loans. Each loan type has advantages and disadvantages that fit different situations.

The U.S. Department of Education provides subsidized loans to eligible undergraduate students based on financial need. While enrolled at least half-time, during deferment, and for six months after leaving school, the government pays the loan’s interest. These loans are part of the Direct Loan Program and come with annual and lifetime borrowing limits, which vary by academic year and student status.

Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students can receive federal unsubsidized loans regardless of financial need. Interest begins accruing as soon as the funds are disbursed. You may choose to pay the interest while in school or defer it, though deferred interest will capitalize, increasing your total loan balance. Like subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans have annual and aggregate borrowing limits based on your academic level.

Nursing students with a qualifying credit score may apply for private student loans through banks or credit unions. These loans help cover tuition, living expenses, and other education-related costs.

Nursing students may qualify for programs that reduce or eliminate student loan debt. These include loan consolidation, deferment, and forgiveness options. Federal loan consolidation combines multiple federal loans into one, potentially simplifying repayment but generally not lowering the interest rate, which is a weighted average of the original loans.

Deferment allows you to temporarily pause payments, though interest may still accrue depending on the loan type. Loan forgiveness programs can cancel part or all of your loan balance, often in exchange for service in high-need areas.

Only federal student loans qualify for most forgiveness and deferment programs. Eligibility often requires employment in underserved communities, nonprofit healthcare settings, or the military. Some state governments also offer nursing-specific loan forgiveness.

Always verify whether forgiven loan amounts are taxable under federal or state law. Several nurse loan forgiveness programs include:

Some employers offer tuition reimbursement or assistance programs to help nurses further their education. These benefits typically cover all or part of your tuition when you pursue a degree relevant to your role and agree to remain with the organization for a set period, often two years. This support allows you to build new skills while lowering your out-of-pocket costs.

Many healthcare employers actively support nurse employees in earning a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). BSN-prepared nurses are associated with improved patient outcomes and greater workplace efficiency. Some hospitals partner with universities to provide discounted or fully covered continuing education opportunities.