For RNs, going back to school to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an investment that can yield great results. BSN-prepared nurses enjoy increased career opportunities, greater earning potential and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the nation’s evolving healthcare system. Plus, online RN to BSN programs such as the one offered by the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) offer nurses a convenient and flexible way to advance their education and pursue career goals while continuing to work and meet family obligations.
With the help of nursing scholarships and grants awarded by numerous organizations, you can attain your goal of earning a BSN. Scholarship providers do not discriminate between online and traditional nursing programs. Provided you attend a nursing school or program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), you may be eligible for various awards.
Scholarship Options for Online Students
Nursing scholarships and grants are readily available, but knowing where to look for them can be daunting. The following suggestions can help with your search.
Start With Your School
The University of Texas at Arlington, for instance, maintains ScholarShop, a scholarship portal for the school’s students. The awards are offered for a variety of majors so you can easily perform searches for nursing and health-related awards.
Nursing Grants
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Corps Scholarship Program offers grants to students admitted to, or enrolled in, an accredited diploma, associate, baccalaureate (including RN-to-BSN) or graduate nursing program. In exchange for agreeing to work in a designated Critical Shortage Facility (CSF) for two years, students are eligible to receive tuition, fees, books, supplies, uniforms and a monthly stipend per academic year.
Loan Repayment Programs
Another HRSA program to consider is the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, which may pay up to 85% of your unpaid nursing education debt. Similar to HRSA’s scholarship program, you must commit to work for a predetermined period of time at one of their designated healthcare facilities or at an eligible nursing school (as nurse faculty).
Databases and Portals
Johnson & Johnson’s nursing resource website maintains a database of nursing scholarships, some of which vary by criteria such as ethnicity, location, veteran status and grade point average. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing also offers a comprehensive list of nursing education scholarships, grants, fellowships, loan forgiveness programs and other forms of aid. General scholarship directories such as Scholarships.com and FastWeb.com have categories dedicated to nursing awards.
Membership Organizations
Regional and national professional organizations, service fraternities and other types of clubs can be good sources for awards. For instance, The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association, Inc. offers scholarships to students enrolled and matriculated in a state-approved nursing program, including RN to BSN programs.
Your Place of Employment
Your workplace may offer education incentives as part of your benefits package in the form of tuition assistance, reimbursement or student loan repayment options. For instance, employees at Texas Health Resources in Arlington who are pursuing clinical degrees are eligible for tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment. Houston Methodist Hospital offers educational funding through direct tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement for eligible employees pursuing job-related undergraduate, graduate and doctoral-level courses. They also offer scholarships for children of employees enrolled in approved programs leading to healthcare degrees.
The Online RN to BSN Program at UTA Is Affordable
Online nursing school tuition at UTA is comparable to — and in many cases lower than — other online nursing school programs. UTA’s nursing programs are also accredited by CCNE, so degree candidates can apply for many different types of financial aid. Plus, as a student at UTA, you will be earning your degree from a nursing school that holds three Center of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education designations from the National League for Nursing:
- Advance the Science of Nursing Education COE
- Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development COE
- Promote the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty COE
Earning your BSN at UTA also offers an excellent return on your investment. According to ZipRecruiter data from March 2023, BSN-prepared nurses earn an average of $98,818 annually, compared to $77,976 for RNs. The increase in pay can more than compensate for your initial costs, and you will be eligible for opportunities that provide more career growth.
Earning a BSN is an investment that will pay off for years to come and can lead to higher wages and increased career opportunities. The online RN to BSN program at UTA is affordable, especially if you are awarded a scholarship. Finding a nursing scholarship or grant can seem daunting, but knowing where to search can make it easier.
Learn more about The UTA online RN to BSN program.
