Nursing Scholarships in PA
Nursing scholarships in PA are often available for qualified and
hardworking students. With the average cost of a college degree costing tens of thousands of dollars, finding
ways to offset these costs is a good way to keep your student loan debt to a minimum.
As the demand to attend nursing schools in PA continues to grow, the availability
of scholarship and grant money should increase as well. In this article we will discuss what type of nursing
scholarships in PA are available as well as tips for finding and securing money for your education.
Nursing Scholarships
in PA Vs Student Loans
Besides scholarships, student loans and working your way through nursing school are the other traditional
means of paying for college. Unfortunately, the debt incurred from student loans can take years to pay back
and eat up a large chunk of your monthly salary. While working and going to school is an option,
often the tuition is simply too much to cover and some form of financial aid will be needed.
What types of Nursing Scholarships in PA are
Available?
Nursing scholarships in PA are essentially a grant or sum of
money provided to students who meet certain qualifications. Since the money is considered a grant, there is no
need for the student to pay it back.
There are four types of nursing scholarships in Pennsylvania available. These include:
- Need based - Scholarships determined by the financial situation of the student.
- Student specific - Scholarships that are aimed primarily at minority students, though
other factors may be involved.
- Career specific - Scholarships that are granted to nursing students in particular.
- Merit Based - Scholarships that are based on academic performance, such as an
exceptionally high GPA or SAT/ACT entrance exam scores.
Please note that certain qualifiers are usually attached to each scholarship and can
eliminate you from even applying. For example, a "need based" scholarship might require that the student
comes from a household that earns less than $20,000 a year. If your family earns more than that on a yearly
basis then you wouldn't "qualify" for the scholarship opportunity.
Where to Find Nursing
Scholarships in PA
Students looking to obtain nursing scholarships in Pennsylvania should begin at the college or university’s
Financial Aid Office. Once there, the student must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or
FAFSA which is a normal requirement for any type of government education funding. Besides government
scholarships and grants, the college's financial aid office should also have information about other area
scholarships that are available.
While the Financial Aid office is a great resource, there are also other places you can inquire for nursing
scholarships in PA. Here are a handful of opportunities available to nursing students.
Nightingale Nurses Scholarship - The Nightingale Nursing Scholarship is one of the most popular
nursing scholarships in PA and provides a one-time $10,000 grant. Although only one nursing student per year
can be awarded, the requirements for entry are fairly straightforward.
Requirements include:
- Pennsylvania resident
- Attend a nursing school in PA
- Minimum of a "B" average
- Has completed at least 1 nursing course
- Has not won a Nightingale scholarship before
American Nursing Foundation - This organization provides grants to students looking to start a
career as a Registered Nurse or RN.
Daughters of the American Revolution - This organization awards multiple scholarships to
students pursuing degrees in education, nursing, law, and history. Their application process is fairly
straightforward and most of their scholarships for nursing students range from $500 to $1000.
Local Hospitals & Health Care Facilities - Many hospitals will help finance a students
education if they agree to work at the hospital for a set period of time. While this usually isn't available to
brand new nursing students, if you are an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) looking to become an RN than it's
something you should look into.
Tips for Landing Nursing Scholarships in
PA
No matter what nursing scholarships in Pennsylvania you apply for, make sure you fill out the
application correctly and provide any additional materials that the scholarship committee requests. You would
be surprised how many people get disqualified from scholarship opportunities simply because they don't fill out the
application correctly. If there is an interview process, dress appropriately and be fully prepared to answer
questions to the best of your abilities. Committees are looking for individuals who can best represent the
scholarship and what it stands for.
In conclusion, Nursing scholarships in PA can offset tuition costs, boost a job resume,
and motivate students to achieve a high GPA. While there are many opportunities available, the best way to maximize
your chance at landing scholarship money is to research and apply for every opportunity you qualify for.
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