How To Go to Nursing School Online for Free 2025

Becoming a nurse is a fulfilling career that many individuals may be interested in pursuing. However, deciding which nursing school to attend can be overwhelming, especially when you are keeping the affordability of your degree in mind. Free online nursing schools are the solution to this problem, and there are, fortunately, several different methods to help make your degree low-cost or no-cost.

Below, we give you an overview of the steps needed to pursue nursing school online for free.

Steps To Pursue Nursing School Online for Free

The steps for pursuing nursing school online for free don't need to be confusing. We give you several steps, such as considering free online nursing classes and pursuing nursing scholarships, that can help you reduce the tuition of your nursing program to no cost.

1. Find Tuition-Free Online Degrees in Nursing

One of the best ways to keep your nursing degree affordable is to look for schools that are offering tuition-free degrees in nursing. Notable programs providing tuition-free online degrees in nursing include the University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing and the University of Rochester's School of Nursing.

The University of Pennsylvania offers select spots in a tuition-free program that helps nursing students graduate debt-free. Similarly, the University of Rochester's School of Nursing provides grants to eligible students to help them achieve their nursing education; the RN-to-BSN degree program at the University of Rochester is also completely online.

Other online degree programs at local community colleges or universities may also offer specific grants and scholarships or completely tuition-free programs for students in your area.

2. Apply for Financial Aid

Financial aid is incredibly important when it comes to affording your degree, and you should always prioritize accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA. Accreditation helps to ensure your degree is valid after graduation, and colleges that accept the FAFSA (this is what determines your eligibility for federal aid) will often use this important application to determine if you also qualify for the school's need-based aid.

Additionally, it's important to look into online colleges that accept grants, as there are many federal and private grants you might be eligible for that can help you lower the cost of your tuition. In some cases, you may also be able to find online colleges with monthly payment plans; payment plans can help you manage your finances while you're in school, allowing you to graduate with minimal debt.

3. Look for Nursing Student Scholarships

Searching for nursing student scholarships is a great way to reduce the overall cost of your nursing program. Adding scholarships to any financial aid you may receive helps to lower the cost of attendance and can be a major factor in graduating debt-free.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing provides a directory of national scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students that you may be eligible to apply for.

You can also look for locally based scholarships. Many local and online nursing schools generally want to encourage students to attend their programs and understand that affordability is a major factor.

Some corporations, such as Johnson & Johnson, may also offer scholarships to nursing students. Check the websites of companies with a health or education-related mission to see if scholarship programs are available.

4. Attend Community College

Community colleges typically cost less than four-year universities, and these schools can be a great way to lower the cost of your nursing degree. You can utilize online community college programs to complete prerequisites or earn an associate degree in a nursing-related field. Then, you can transfer your credits to a different program or gain some work experience before pursuing additional higher education, such as enrolling in a program to become a nurse practitioner.

With an online community college program, even adult learners and working professionals can start pursuing a career in nursing, and the overall costs are much lower. Many states also offer discounted and free tuition to high schoolers who attend their local community college after graduation, reducing the cost of a nursing degree.

How Much Do Online Nursing Degree Programs Cost?

Online nursing degree programs vary in cost, and factors that affect pricing include the location of the program, whether it's a community college or a university, and the type of nursing degree.

On average, you can expect your online nursing program to cost between $250 and $500 per credit hour. However, the cost of earning a nursing degree will be worth it. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses will continue to increase in the next decade, ensuring that nursing graduates will be able to have a secure career.

Scholarships for Aspiring Registered Nurses

The list of scholarships for aspiring registered nurses and other nursing students can help you get started thinking about your finances. You can also be sure to check for scholarships for online students to help you afford your online nursing degree.

• GoodRx Student Healthcare Equity Scholarship: This scholarship awards $5,000, renewable for up to three years, to students who meet minimum GPA requirements and are members of a minority or underrepresented group in the nursing field.
• FNSNA Undergraduate Scholarship Program: The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association awards funding of up to $10,000 per academic year to nursing students enrolled in an applicable associate or bachelor's nursing degree program.
• NBNA Scholarships: The National Black Nurses Association awards numerous scholarships to eligible NBNA members each academic year, with funds starting at $1,000.

FAQs About Online Nursing Education

Do you have questions about your online nursing education? Review our answers to frequently asked questions about online nursing courses to get the information you need.

What Are the Benefits of Taking an Online Nursing Course?

Online courses are incredibly flexible, and an online nursing course can be just the thing you need to pursue a career change, return to higher education, or obtain a degree on your terms. Most online nursing courses can be taken on your schedule, and many have accelerated pacing for fundamentals and advanced nursing skills so you can finish your degree faster than if you attended on-campus classes.

Additionally, most online nursing degree programs are much cheaper than on-campus courses, ensuring your degree is affordable.

Can You Get Your RN 100% Online?

It is possible to get your RN degree completely online, and many other types of nursing degrees are offered on an online basis. However, every nursing degree does have a clinical component, and you may be required to attend in-person clinics and hands-on patient care training before you are eligible for licensing.

What Is the Cheapest Online College for Nursing?

The cheapest online nursing degree programs will likely be from a community college in your area. Community colleges generally have lower costs, especially for online courses, and you may qualify for local tuition discounts or free tuition programs in your state.

What Are the Best Free Continuing Education Courses for Nurses?

There are plenty of free online nursing courses intended for continuing education, and it's important that you meet your continuing education needs as you work as a nurse. The American Nurses Association provides a directory of free or low-cost courses for nurses, and you can speak to your employer for information on meeting continuing education requirements.

Other educational websites such as Coursera may also provide instructional courses and certificate programs for those currently working in a nursing practice, allowing them to easily get their continuing education credits online.

Read More: Free Online CEU For Nurses

Explore Online Nursing Programs To Pursue Healthcare Career Paths

Pursuing your career in healthcare is an admirable goal, and there are plenty of online nursing programs to help you achieve your nursing degree needs flexibly. Check out Learn.org for more information about online nursing programs and affordable online nursing degrees.