How To Pay for an RN to BSN Nursing Program

If you're interested in enrolling in an RN to BSN program, you can pay for your degree with financial aid, scholarships, and employee reimbursement.

You can also explore some of the more affordable RN to BSN programs, which can further reduce your tuition costs.

Knowing how to pay for an RN to BSN program can save you tons of money in school costs while improving your ability to make significant career advancements.

How Can I Pay for an RN to BSN Program?

There are plenty of great RN to BSN financing options. If you're not sure how to get started, read on to discover how to pay for an RN to BSN program.

Scholarships

Scholarships are financial gifts that don't have to be repaid. They can be based on merit, financial need, or other criteria and gifted by schools, businesses, organizations, communities, and more.

Here are a few scholarships created for RN to BSN programs:

• NASN RN to BSN Education Advancement Scholarship - This $1,500 award assists school nurses with expenses as they pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) scholarships - The association offers the Region 2 Memorial Scholarship and other awards to RNs pursuing a BSN or higher.
• NFP Florence (Madden) Grady-Fasick Scholarship Fund - This scholarship is for students who have applied to BSN or RN to BSN programs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Plenty of other scholarships are available to nurses pursuing degrees at all levels. A great place to search for nursing scholarships is the federal government's site: CareerOneStop.org.

Grants

Grants are financial aid for college or career schools that typically don't have to be repaid. They are commonly provided to students with financial need.

Federal grants require students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to gain eligibility. These grants include:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

While not as common, students might find nursing student grants like the National League for Nursing Grant provided by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Loans

Student loans are funds borrowed for tuition and other school costs that must be repaid with interest. Loans are available through the federal government and private entities.

Federal loans include:

• Direct Subsidized Loan
• Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Direct PLUS Loan

As with grants, students who take out federal loans must fill out the FAFSA form to become eligible. Approved applicants can borrow from up to $5,500 per year to the maximum cost of attendance.

Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program enables undergraduate and graduate students with financial need to work part-time jobs while enrolled in school.

While students are normally paid minimum wage, earnings could be higher depending on their work.

Eligibility for the Federal Work-Study Program starts with filling out the FAFSA form.

However, it's good to note that many students enrolled in RN to BSN programs already work nursing jobs and don't have additional time to take on work-study jobs.

Tuition Reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement is an employee benefit many companies offer to workers who are interested in improving their workplace skills.

Workers typically take courses and then are reimbursed up to a specific dollar amount by their employers; however, some companies pay tuition and other costs upfront.

Employers often restrict reimbursement to courses that align with the worker's current role.

The amount companies pay for tuition reimbursement generally ranges from $5,000 to $6,000 per employee, per year.

Military Financial Assistance

Active military service members, veterans, and spouses and dependents of military members can take advantage of a variety of scholarships, grants, and tuition reduction programs.

The GI Bill is a benefit for qualifying veterans and their family members that covers some or all costs for training or school.

The Heroes' Legacy Scholarship is available for children of service members who died or became seriously injured in the line of duty following the events of 9/11.

The Tuition Assistance (TA) Program could pay up to 100% of the college tuition for service members up to $250 per semester credit.

How Much Does an RN to BSN Program Cost?

As you decide how to pay for an RN to BSN program, you want to look at its cost, which can vary greatly based on the school you attend, your residency, course loads, and other factors.

Some of the most affordable RN to BSN programs include:

• University of Florida - $129.18 per credit for in-state online students
• University of North Florida - $142.70 per credit for in-state students
• Appalachian State University - $204 per credit hour for in-state students
• University of Wyoming - $223 per credit for online, in-state students
• University of Texas at Arlington - $257 per credit

When searching for programs, be sure that you're looking at cost along with other factors like how many credits you can transfer, which could help you save even more.

Is the RN to BSN Degree Worth It?

Yes, an RN to BSN degree is worth it if you're working as a registered nurse and want to advance in your current career without spending four years earning a bachelor's degree.

RN to BSN programs are typically designed for licensed RNs who already possess an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which means they're already halfway to a bachelor's degree.

Some programs can be completed in as few as eight months so students can earn their degrees in a fraction of the time.

It's common for RN to BSN programs to be delivered online with nursing job work hours counting toward clinical hours.

Securing a bachelor's degree sooner � and potentially from the comfort of home � makes entering an RN to BSN program a great choice.

What Can I Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing?

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing opens doors to many great nursing roles beyond the traditional registered nurse position. Here are some to consider:

• travel nurse
• informatics nurse
• public health nurse
• legal nurse consultant
• critical care nurse
• case management nurse
• hospice nurse
• nurse manager

After earning your BSN, you could also pursue an advanced nursing degree like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD).

Make Your RN to BSN Program More Affordable

Understanding how to pay for an RN to BSN program can make a huge difference in the cost of your tuition and fees. Explore scholarships, grants, and low-cost tuition rates to make your degree more affordable.