Did you know that you may qualify for a scholarship or a grant to help you to pay for your education as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant? There are grants and scholarships available in every state and you just have to know where to look.
The Department of Health and Human Services sets aside monies to be distributed to colleges and vocational schools with the sole purpose of making C.N.A. training attainable to those who may require financial assistance in the form of scholarship and government grants. There are also scholarships and grants available via the Department of Education. You just need to meet the requirements to qualify. Requirements may vary from state to state but essentially are very similar.
Typically, you will have to fall within a certain income bracket or have your living expenses exceed your means in comparison to your earnings. Also, you may qualify for assistance if you are unemployed due to losing a job or have had little or no success landing a job. You must be a legal resident of the United States and in most cases will be required to possess a valid Social Security number. You will also be asked to produce proof of your current living situation, i.e. your current pay stub and sometimes your last 3, and an itemized list of you your living expenses to show a deficit. This helps to establish proof of necessity. Males between the ages of 18-25 are urged to register with Selective Service and you must have a High School diploma or a G.E.D., although, depending upon your state, you may be eligible to take a competency test to determine whether or not an education at that particular establishment would be beneficial to you without a H.S. Diploma or G.E.D. and then there is Federal Aid available for obtaining your G.E.D. as well.
Unlike a Student Loan, Scholarships and Grants are money that doesn’t have to be paid back. However, you must maintain your grades and show proof of your progress. Some states may require that complete a certain number of credit hours or pass an equivalency course geared toward your certificate or degree.
There are several types of federally funded financial aid available. One of the most common is the Pell Grant. The Pell Grant has certain requirements that must be met as well and can be very beneficial to a student who requires financial assistance. You have to check with the Financial Aid Department at the school of your choice to find out if you may qualify for benefits. The Pell Grant can pay anywhere from $100 – $4000 depending on your course of study and your financial need. Typically, for the C.N.A., I would assume it would be on the lower end as the C.N.A. program last only 2-3 months and requires a minimum in study aids.
There are several other Federally Funded Grants available and some non-federal as well. You can check into fafsa.ed.gov on the web to find approved grants and loans for your state and you can always check into your local financial aid office at the school which you plan to attend. Scholarships.com offers a search engine to assist in finding aid specific to your vocational choice and state.
If you want to further your education or are just starting out and hope to find a great career then the C.N.A. program may be the perfect opportunity to help you to become self sufficient. There is financial aid available in many forms and there are scholarships and grants set aside to help you along your way. You just need to inquire about the financial aid in your area and get on your way to an exciting new career as a C.N.A.