The difference between a scholarship and a grant is simple. Scholarships are primarily given based on academic excellence. Grants are given based on need. Yes, there’s a lot of gray. There are exceptional students who have living in severe financial need and an academic minimum must be met to obtain grants. That’s why online colleges have financial aid officers to help a student get as much of both as possible.
At the same time, when it comes to need, nursing is a situation where the industry has its own incredible need, not just the students. You’ve probably heard how there’s an incredible shortage of nurses in the work force. It’s true, and just about everyone in the public and private sectors are doing whatever they can to get qualified students to school. When compared to many other occupations, one could say it goes way beyond the norm.
A good place to start finding out about these programs is to get on a site. Their Financial Aid and Scholarship page lists over 30 different organizations right on its front page. From there, a potential student or parent can click on the various entries on their list, fill out the forms, and very likely pay for the bulk of an online degree. These organizations can basically be broken down into four primary groups. They are:
The Government – Most students won’t think twice about going to the Dept. of Education for a Pell Grant. What they often forget is their local state probably has its own grants ready to be tapped. Another good place to consider is Sallie Mae, which not only provides school grants, but low-interest and financial advice for prospective nurses.
Professional organizations – The American Nursing Association, one of the largest organizations, gives out nearly $2 million in grants and scholarships every year. The Florence Nightingale Foundation is specifically set up to provide online degree grant for more nurses. If anyone has self-interest in seeing more nurses in the work force, it’s the professional organizations. Their assistance can go from a basic baccalaureate to advanced and specialized degrees.
Private Corporations – Another organization with a heavy stake in medical professionals are corporate health/ medical corporations. Major pharmaceuticals such as Johnson & Johnson provide annual grants. The makers of Tylenol had out ten scholarships of $10,000 each and an additional 150 grants of $1,000 each. It’s in a student’s best interest to make a list of major health corporations and find out what they have.
Minority Organizations – Among these august organizations are the United Negro College Fund as well as organizations for any sort of American from Aleuts to Polynesians, Latinos to single mothers. A good way to start sourcing this money out is to approach local clubs and see what they have, either in information or in out-and-out money. One would be surprised what they have.
The important point is to get on a site like Medi-Smart and get to work immediately. The site actually advises students to start the financial aid applications at the same time as applying to the school itself. There are financial aid officers more than ready to help.
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