CNA Scholarships and Financial Aid

College or professional training can be an expensive undertaking. Between classes, books, and other materials, it can be very financially stressful. Students may have to pay the bulk of the cost out of pocket or turn to taking out high-interest student loans to cover expenses. Paying for school can seem like a double-edged sword; you need the education in order to make money in your career, but you also need money to get your education in the first place. And another downfall of taking out an expensive student loan is the burden of repayment upon graduation. It comes down to understanding all of your options and knowing where to look.

Financial Aid

When it comes to understanding financial aid, students are not always well-informed about options that are available to them. If you ask any financial aid adviser, they will likely tell you that your first step should be filling out the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA). Federal Student Aid is part of the U.S. Department of Education that is designed to assist eligible students in receiving funds to help pay for their higher education.

How does FASFA Work?

FASFA offers a free online application where students can fill out their personal information to find out what type of aid they are eligible for. If you prefer, you may also print out a hard copy to fill out manually and mail in. These funds can come in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, or work-study programs depending on your need and qualifications. Before filling out your application, be sure you have the following information:

Driver’s license (if you have one)
Your permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Social Security Card (or number)
Your most recent W-2 forms and any other forms showing income (taxed or untaxed)
Your most recent Federal Income Tax Return (and your spouse’s, if you are married)
Your parents’ most recent Federal Income Tax Return (if you are their dependent)
Current bank statements, mortgage information, investment information, farm information, stocks or bonds information

Understanding the Different Types of Financial Aid

Grants: The benefit to qualifying for a grant is that it is an award that does not have to be repaid after graduation, as long as any obligations or terms are met. In some cases, if these terms are not fulfilled, the award may have to be repaid. They come in a variety of forms such as need-based, industry-sponsored, state-sponsored, grants for women, grants based on special skills or talents, or grants for specific studies. Searching and qualifying for grants can often be more challenging than applying for other types of financial aid, but not having the financial burden makes it a more appealing route for most students.
Scholarships: This type of financial aid is awarded by a specific donor based on different qualifying criteria. Types of scholarships include merit-based, need-based, career scholarships, or other wards for specific colleges or students. Depending on the donor, there will be certain requirements that must be met. Failure to maintain these requirements could result in the student losing the scholarship. These are awards that are generally given on a yearly basis and do not have to be repaid.
Student Loans: These funds are designed to help assist students in paying for their higher education and other related materials, and they must be paid back upon graduation. Before deciding on a loan, it is important to research the different types available and have a clear understanding of the interest rates, qualifications, and repayment terms. Lower interest rates will mean lower payments that you will have to make. Loans can be granted through private institutions or government agencies. Your student aid adviser can offer a lot of help when deciding the most appropriate loan for which you should apply.

Top Online Nurse Assistant Degree Programs

For anyone who wishes to earn a nurses assistant certification, or CNA, earning a medical assisting or nursing assistant degree is usually required. Most often, an associate's degree from one of the schools below will be sufficient. For those wanting a more advanced degree, bachelor's level programs are also available.

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AS in Medical Assisting	Kaplan University — Kaplan's associate's degree in medical assisting at their School of Nursing offers courses on numerous topics including community nursing care, management, and informatics. Graduates of this program will be eligible for becoming a CNA.
AS in Healthcare	University of Phoenix — The nation's top online university, Phoenix, offers an associate's degree in health care that will prepare its students for becoming a certified nursing assistant, a qualification that would put you in a postition to become part of a healthcare administration team.
AAS in Medical Assisting	Bryant & Stratton College — The Bryant & Stratton College AAS in medical administrative assisting program is designed to train future medical administrative assistants that will work in a variety of health care settings including private medical practices, hospitals, clinics, public health departments, government agencies or insurance firms.
AS in Medical Assisting	Herzing University — The AS degree in medical assisting at Herzing University prepares students for jobs as medical and nursing assistants at physicians' offices. Students are trained to perform routine lab tests, help a doctor in the ER, and handle some administrative duties.
AS in Medical Assisting	Keiser University — Keiser's eCampus Online offers an online associate's degree in medical assisting, which is a perfect fit for busy professionals looking to earn a degree that will lead them into a position as a certified nurses assistant because of its flexible class schedule.