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State grants are one of the readily available options for financial aid to consider when applying to nursing school. This type of funding is potentially available to all LPN students in just about every state. Some states will even pay almost all of your tuition if you are eligible for the particular program.
Unlike federal grants, state financial aid programs often differ from state to state. When investigating your options, make sure to consult with your school’s financial aid office regarding the specifics of your state’s program.
Many states offer grants and scholarships to nursing students due to the critical shortage of nurses in America. While nurses are one of the most needed occupations, there are often not enough working nurses to handle the demand in society today.
To effectively combat this situation, many states will offer scholarships to nurses who agree to work at a state facility for a specific amount of time after graduation from school.
State Legislation
Federal legislators enacted programs that were designed to address the nation’s shortage of healthcare workers. The Nursing Workforce Development Program increased funding from $78.8 million in 2001 to $149.7 million in 2006.
The goal of this legislation was aimed at providing solutions to America’s nursing shortage. Many types of fellowships, scholarships and state grants were the direct result of this legislation.
As part of the continuing effort of this program, many states enacted additional laws that were designed to make it easier for people who were seeking a career in the nursing field. With a little research, you can capitalize on the wide variety of state-funded educational programs for LPN school.
Examples of Current State LPN Financial Aid Programs
The following programs are just a quick sample of financial opportunities that are offered through various states. Check with your State Board of Education as well as the State Board of Nursing to see what type of financial aid is available in your area.
Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program
This financial aid program is available to students who are enrolled in at least part-time in a nursing training program in the state of Ohio. The annual award for eligible students is $1500.
To qualify for loan assistance, you must agree to work full-time as a licensed practical nurse in the state of Ohio for a minimum of five years after graduation from school. Information and applications for this program can be found at www.regents.ohio.gov/sgs/nealp/.
The Michigan Nursing Scholarship
Like most state scholarship programs, the Michigan Nursing Scholarship is focused on providing solutions to the shortage of working nurses in the state of Michigan. This program offers LPN students the opportunity to receive up to $4000 per academic year for their education.
Students who participate must agree to work in a Michigan state facility. Each year of work at the state facility is equivalent to one year of scholarship assistance. Additional information and application can be found at www.collegescholarships.org.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program
This financial aid program is available to licensed practical nurses in the state of California. The Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program repays up to $6000 in educational debt that incurred at an accredited vocational nursing program.
Nursing students that participate in this program must agree to work full-time for at least two years in a medically underserved area of California. Additional information and applications can be found at www.oshpd.ca.gov