How to pay for nursing school

The order to pursue aid in, what each source covers, and the programs that reward nurses for working where they are needed most.

By Simmie J.Figures checked against official government and agency dataUpdated

Most nursing students pay for school with a mix of grants, scholarships, work and loans. The sources are the same at every level, so the order below applies to a practical nursing certificate and to a master’s degree alike.

Start with the net price

Compare schools by what you would pay after aid. The College Scorecard lists an average net price for each school, and our BSN program pages show it beside NCLEX results. A public community college with a strong pass rate can cost a fraction of a private university. See how to choose a nursing school for the full comparison.

File the FAFSA every year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov opens the door to federal grants, work-study and loans, and many schools and states use it to award their own aid. File it even if you expect not to qualify, because some scholarships require it.

Take free money first

  • Federal Pell Grants go to undergraduates with financial need and do not have to be repaid.
  • School grants and scholarships are listed on each school’s financial aid page. Ask whether nursing students have dedicated awards.
  • Outside scholarships come from foundations, professional groups and employers. Our guide to nursing scholarships lists where to look.

Use federal loans before private loans

Federal student loans have fixed rates, income-driven repayment options and forgiveness programs that private loans lack. Borrowing limits and loan terms for graduate students have changed in recent years, so check the current limits at studentaid.gov before you plan a master’s or doctoral program. Borrow only what you need for tuition and living costs, and compare your total debt with the first-year pay for your role on our nursing salary pages.

Programs built for nurses

  • NURSE Corps Scholarship Program. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) pays tuition and fees and a monthly stipend in return for a commitment to work at a health facility with a critical shortage of nurses. HRSA NURSE Corps
  • NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program. Registered nurses and advanced practice nurses who work at eligible facilities can receive help repaying qualifying loans. HRSA NURSE Corps
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Federal Direct loans can be forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer, which includes many hospitals. Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  • State programs. Many states run their own scholarship or loan-repayment programs for nurses who work in shortage areas, often through the state board of nursing or a health workforce agency.

Ask your employer

Hospitals and health systems often pay part of tuition for employees. This is common for nurses moving from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree, and for RN-to-BSN programs in particular. Ask about the annual limit, whether you must stay for a set period afterwards, and whether the benefit is taxed.

Keep the cost down

  • Complete prerequisites at a community college.
  • Compare an associate degree followed by an RN-to-BSN bridge with a four-year path. Both lead to the same NCLEX-RN and license.
  • Work as a nursing assistant or in another health role while you study, which can also help with admission.
  • Keep a budget for fees that are easy to miss: uniforms, equipment, background checks, the NCLEX fee and licensing fees. The NCLEX registration fee is $200 and rises to $350 for registrations from February 1, 2027, according to NCSBN.