Skilled nursing care is critical to the success of medical facilities across America. Regardless of whether you go to the hospital, walk-in clinic, or nursing home, the patient will see the most of the nurses. Yet as increasing demand is placed on the US healthcare system, this need for qualified nurses is going up and there simply are not enough nurses available. Enter nursing grants.

The government is offering a variety of financial aid incentives including nursing grants, scholarships and loans to encourage more people to enter into the nursing profession, and stave off a potentially severe nursing shortage. If you are looking for a nursing grant there are a variety of options including those funded by the government as well as those funded by private companies and foundations.

Government Nursing Grants

Government funded nursing grants are almost always awarded based on financial need. These can be found at both the federal and state levels and can be applied for by filling out a FAFSA application at your school’s financial aid department. Once you have submitted this application you will automatically be considered for the Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

Nursing students approved for a Pell Grant can expect to receive upwards of $5,000 for each school year. This can be used to cover tuition fees, books, living expenses or any other school related costs. FSEOG recipients can receive a maximum of $4,000 each academic year. Award amounts for both of these nursing grants are dependent on a number of factors including: level of financial need, available funds, and whether any other financial aid has already been awarded to the student.

HRSA Nursing Grants

Aside from government grants based entirely on student financial need, there are also grants available specifically to students entering the nursing profession. The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) is one such program provided by the HRSA that gives grants to financially needy full-time students enrolled in a health-care or nursing program. Money awarded can be used to cover tuition costs, living expenses and educational expenses. Not all schools choose to participate in this program. To find out if your school participates and whether you are eligible to receive this nursing grant visit your school’s financial aid office.

The HRSA also has a Nursing Scholarship Program. Successful applicants will receive a grant to cover their full cost of tuition expenses to become a qualified nurse. The program also provides a monthly stipend of over $1200 per month. You must, however, be a full time undergraduate student in an accredited nursing program to be eligible for this money. In return, when students graduate, they are required to commit themselves to providing 3 years of fulltime paid service in a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses recognized by the NSP.

For more information on these and other nursing grants available apply today for your free grant kit.