Financial Assistance
In order to pursue an education in health care, you will have to consider how you will finance that education. Tuition and other costs associated with health care education can range from $2,000 to $30,000 annually. Fortunately, there are many financial resources available to assist students interested in pursuing a degree in order to practice as a health care professional.
Financial Aid is a complex arena. There are many options available and potential students are advised to talk with a school counselor and/or the financial aid departments of any schools of interest for specific information. Financial aid requirements vary greatly, so contact one of the above individuals for important information about which financial aid options work best for you and the application procedures to be followed when applying for financial aid.
We have provided you with links to connect you to some federal, state and private financial aid information. In reviewing this list, please be aware that private funding sources may also be explored through:
- local businesses and civic groups
- churches
- employers and unions
- foundations
- schools
- national organizations
Links to federal sources:
- U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid programs are the largest source of student aid in America, providing nearly 70% of all student financial aid. Help is available to make education beyond high school financially possible. The information provided here is designed to assist you in your college planning. It provides you with access to and information about the products and services that you will need throughout the financial aid process. - Direct Loan Program
One of the Federal Student Aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education. It provides students with a simple, inexpensive way to borrow money to pay for education after high school. The U.S. Department of Education acts as a lender, providing funds for Stafford loans (for students) and PLUS loans (for parents) in the same amounts as the Stafford and PLUS loans offered through the Federal Family Education Loan Program. (In the FFEL Program banks and other private lenders provide these loans.) - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Completing this application is the first step in the financial aid process at most educational institutions. Use this application to apply for federal student grants, work-study aid, loans, state aid, and some private aid. - Federal Pell Grant
These grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree would include a degree in a field such as pharmacy or dentistry.) For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added and, unlike a loan, these grants do not have to be repaid. - Nellie Mae Student Loans
Leading national provider of federal and private loans for undergraduate and graduate students and families. - Stafford Loans
Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans are the major form of self-help aid and are either subsidized or unsubsidized. Direct Stafford Loans are available through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and FFEL Stafford Loans are available though the Federal Family Education Loan Program. The major differences between the two are the source of the loan funds, some aspects of the application process, and the available repayment plans.
Links to state of Georgia sources:
- Georgia College 411
An online resource to help students and their families select a college, apply for admission, and plan to finance higher education. Its mission is to increase access to postsecondary education in the state of Georgia and to simplify the tasks and processes related to planning, applying and paying for higher education. - Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan
The 529 Plan is a smart and flexible way to help save for future higher education expenses. It permits state income tax deduction of up to $2,000 per year for each beneficiary and allows your money to grow tax-free from both federal and state income taxes. Funds in the 529 Plan can be used to pay for qualified higher education expenses at thousands of colleges, universities, vocational and technical schools, or other postsecondary institutions like graduate school, in the State of Georgia or anywhere in the country, even at some schools abroad. Qualified higher education expenses include tuition, fees, certain room and board costs, books, supplies, and required equipment. - Georgia Student Finance Commission
This agency is responsible for administering student financial aid programs provided by the State of Georgia. It administers a variety of scholarship and grant programs, including the HOPE Scholarship Program, and makes low-interest federal Stafford and PLUS loans to students and parents. It is the only lender in Georgia providing service-cancelable loans to encourage students to train for careers in critical need areas such as teaching and health care. Alternative loans and consolidated loans also are available to qualified borrowers. It provides free financial aid consultations to Georgia residents and is involved with many activities designed to promote financial literacy and default prevention. It provides a wide range of financial aid services to Georgia’s high schools, colleges, universities, technical colleges, and commercial lenders.
Links to free scholarship search engines:
- 2005 College, College Scholarships and Financial Aid
This website is designed to offer college bound students, parents, and counselors easy access to information on free college scholarship and financial aid searches, SAT and ACT test preparation tips, and colleges and universities throughout the United States. - AllScholar
Online scholarship search tool for students, parents, and educators that is simple, concise, and easy-to-use. It provides customized scholarship awards that match your criteria. - Back to College
An excellent collection of college resources geared specifically for returning students. It provides information on scholarships, grants, and private organizations and associations that aid adults returning to college, including funding for vocational and professional retraining. - Fast Web
Free online scholarship matching service whose database has over 600,000 private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans that total over $1 billion. It provides notification when new scholarships are added and application deadlines are approaching. Students can also match their background and preferences with school profiles and find job opportunities near their home or school. - FinAid
This award-winning site was established as a public service and has grown into the most comprehensive and objective annotated collection of information about student financial aid on the web including loans, scholarships, savings, military aid, and other types of aid. You can also submit questions and receive a response via email from a volunteer financial aid professional from across the United States. - International Education Financial Aid
Online scholarship search tool that is the premier resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for international students wishing to study abroad. Find the most comprehensive college scholarship search and grant listings plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad. - Scholarships.com
Database of over 600,000 college scholarship awards that is updated regularly. It is the most trusted and popular free college scholarship search service and financial aid information resource on the Internet. Create a personal profile for complete and accurate information on the most relevant, attainable college scholarship awards. Sort scholarships by deadline, dollar amount and relevancy.