Financial Aid
Who doesn’t love free money? Below is a list of financial aid opportunities including scholarships, state and federal aid, and helpful tips and advice on paying for your dream school!
Many organizations offer scholarships for students interested in attending post-secondary schools. Scholarships are available from various entities — from the local civics organizations and your community hospitals to state and national organizations. When applying for scholarships, remember to tell the selection committees why you deserve to receive their financial support to pursue your education. These sites will assist you with scholarship searches and application processes.
KCMHC Grant For MSN Candidates
The Kansas City Metropolitan Healthcare Council is pleased to announce a program to help increase the number of new faculty at nursing schools. Nurses who want to teach but need to complete their MSN degrees can apply for $5,000 in financial assistance. This program will provide financial assistance in 2011-2012 for nurses in the Kansas City area who are attending school to attain their MSN.
About the Program
The MSN Financial Assistance program is part of the Greater Kansas City Healthcare & Healthcare Information Technology Careers Grant, which has been funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration. The program administrator is the Full Employment Council. This grant is a collaboration between the FEC, Kansas Workforce Partnership and KCMHC.
Eligibility
An applicant:
- must be a resident of Johnson, Leavenworth or Wyandotte counties in Kansas or Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte or Ray counties in Missouri
- must attend a regionally accredited institution that awards the master of science in nursing degree
- must be able to complete the degree by December 2012
- must make a commitment to work either full-time or part-time as clinical faculty for a local nursing school when he/she completes his/her degree
Award & Financial Assistance
The award amount will be $5,000. The assistance can be used for tuition, utilities, childcare, books, lab fees and other education-related expenses.
Download the Application and Additional Information
Application Deadline
Monday, May 16
Contact Information
For additional information about the financial assistance program, please contact Kathy Nadlman.
Missouri Department of Higher Education Scholarships
Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship
Health Profession Scholarships
Through scholarships and low-interest loans, the Health Careers Foundation fills the funding gap created by a decrease in available educational dollars. This is especially important for nontraditional students, whose financial aid options are limited.
The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions sponsors a scholarship program for allied health students enrolled in its member schools. The purpose of the scholarship program is to recognize outstanding students in the allied health professions who are achieving excellence in their academic programs and have significant potential to assume future leadership roles in the allied health professions.
Nursing Scholarships
Hobble Licensed Practical Nursing Scholarship
Johnson & Johnson’s Discover Nursing
Kansas State Nurses Association
The Missouri Nurses Association
Scholarship Searches
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
Scholarship Tips
Other Sites of Interest
Missouri
As the state’s official agency for higher education, the Missouri Department of Higher Education devotes its site to information concerning college preparation, financial aid and loan applications.
Under the MO$T program, Missouri residents can designate amounts specifically for accounts to finance a designated beneficiary’s education. The amount is deductible from Missouri state taxable income. When beneficiaries enter college, money can be withdrawn from the accounts for qualified higher education expenses at eligible schools in Missouri or the nation tax-free.
Kansas
The Kansas Board of Regents serves as the state’s official agency for higher education. Its Web site contains information on Kansas universities and colleges, as well as financial aid.
Learning Quest, a 529 college savings plan, offers education savings accounts for Kansas residents to help pay higher education expenses for designated individuals. The program also provides tax advantages under both state and federal law.
After applying for college, you must complete the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) application if you want to receive financial aid for school. Your school will use this information to determine what type of financial assistance is available to you.
Other Sites of Interest
Federal Student Aid
FinAid!
Financial Aid Resource Center
SallieMae
U.S. Department of Education
Many area hospitals offer financial assistance for healthcare careers. As a full- or part-time employee, you may be eligible for tuition reimbursement. Some hospitals offer scholarships for students to attend a specific school or enroll in a specific program, such as nursing. These programs may require a commitment to work at the hospital for one or two years after graduation. Additional benefits may include paying for licensure testing, prep courses and certification.
For more information, contact your local hospital to see what tuition assistance programs they offer.
Follow these tips to help fund your educational expenses.
- Explore all your options. Don’t assume you won’t be eligible for financial assistance. There are many types available.
- Financial aid can be based on need, income, merit or academics.
- Talk with the schools you are interested in attending.
- Ask your current employer about tuition reimbursement programs.
- Ask your counselor to help you identify information on financial aid.
- Complete the FAFSA. It’s used to apply for student federal financial aid and is often required by other financial assistance programs.
- Don’t limit yourself to just one type of assistance.
- Start early so you don’t miss any deadlines.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Beware of scams — do not pay or give your credit card number to anyone who says they will guarantee you a scholarship or a grant.
Other Points to Consider
- The cost of an education varies depending on the type of school you choose and your study program. If you’ll be working toward a bachelor’s degree, you may want to spend your first two years at a community college and then transfer to a four-year school. Community colleges are typically less expensive. Make sure your courses will transfer to the school you want to attend.
- Remember that scholarships may make a more expensive school affordable.
- Some degrees will allow you to earn while you learn. For example, in nursing, you can earn LPN certification in one year or become a registered nurse in two years. While you are working as a nurse, you can continue your education.