Training for a healthcare job does not need to put you in debt. Free training options might be closer than you think.
Training Center Scholarships
Many training centers have their own scholarships for which you can apply. The funds are to help those who might not otherwise be able to afford their training. For instance, the Schmieding Home Caregiver program has scholarships for nursing assistant programs. Contact your closest Schmieding Training center to learn more.
If you have found a healthcare training center that you are going to attend or that you are considering to attend, look into their scholarship options. Contact the financial aid office to determine if they have any of their own sponsored scholarships to help you receive your healthcare training for free. Follow the application process exactly as directed to be considered for the funds.
Statewide Scholarships
There are some Scholarships that are funded by the state. The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students is one example. If you are studying a healthcare degree at one of the public colleges in Louisiana, you might qualify to apply. This is a scholarship for which you must complete a Federal Application for Student Aid in order to qualify for consideration. There are some other scholarships and grant programs funded by the state of Louisiana. Depending on the healthcare degree you are studying and the school you will attend, you might find that one of more of the state funded programs can help you pay for your training so that there is no out of pocket expense for you.
GI Benefits
You may qualify for help paying for your healthcare training through the GI Bill. There are options for those still in active service as well as veterans. Some spouses and children can also access benefits. There should be financial officers at the school who can help you determine if you can use any of your GI benefits (or your spouse/parent’s) GI veterans to help you receive your diploma/certificate or degree in a healthcare related field.
Healthcare Specific Scholarships
There are often scholarships that are specific to students who are attending a healthcare or allied health training or degree program. As an example, the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professionals sponsors a scholarship for student attending Allied Health Schools/Programs. This scholarship will require that you have already completed one semester/session of your training. Unlike a lot of scholarships, this fund is not needs based. Instead, it will be for students who are doing extremely well in their studies and who can demonstrate they are excelling in all areas of their life. You can start looking into this program by visiting here: http://www.asahp.org/scholarship/.
Grants
The Arkansas department of workforce services have Grant Programs that fund to train individuals in job driven occupations including healthcare. If you are unemployed and wish to train for a career then you may want to contact them and see which is the nearest workforce center to you which you can visit and get more information.
#2 Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201
Tel: (501) 682-2121,
Single parent
If you are a single parent, you could receive help to cover your healthcare training through the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. Your children must not be over 18 and you need to live in Arkansas. It will be necessary to show that you do not have a high income and could benefit from this grant. If you have already completed a degree or diploma program, you may not apply. There may be other grants and scholarships to help if you are raising your child on your own.
http://www.aspsf.org/scholarships/how-to-apply/
Air Force
You can receive training in a healthcare field in exchange for service in the Air Force. They offer an Armed Forces Health Professionals Program. They will cover your tuition and other degree related expenses in addition to providing you with a stipend to help cover other living costs while in college. You will be in the service for at least 3 years after you finish all your training for the career but you will never owe money to your school.
Religious Affiliation
There may be scholarships for which you can apply based on your religious affiliation. For example, Arkansas Tech University has an endowment scholarship for Methodist students. A pastor from the student’s community will need to provide recommendation for the person to be considered for these scholarships. The students need to be taking a health related course such as nursing, med technology or medical assisting. Applicants will need to complete a FASFA and other financial aid documents.
Arkansas Tech University-215 West O Street-Russellville, Arkansas 7201
You can find ways to pay for your exciting new career training whether it is through the armed forces, special funds and grants or state wide financial aid programs.
Job Crops – Little Rock
The Little Rock job corps center provides free training for some health occupations. The Job Corps centers offer hands on training programs free of cost and and also provide boarding and meals facilities. At the end of the training they provide job placement assistance as well.
Little Rock Job Corps, 6900 Scott Hamilton Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209
Tel: (501) 618-2500
On the job training
CVS Caremark provides Pharmacy Technician Trainee programs that comply with the Arkansas State Pharmacy Guidelines, which would enable an individual to be trained on the job to obtain a Pharmacy Technician qualification. They have various outlets spread throughout the state so you may choose to apply at a location close to your home or convenient for you. The jobs can be applied for at the CVS Health website.
FAFSA
Every college, university or institute has a financial aid office that assists students in obtaining funds for their education. The primary requirement is the FAFSA (Free application for Federal Student Aid). The forms take long to fill so do take some time to fill it as accurately as possible. You may get more information about the federal grants from the FAFSA website or your institute’s financial aid office.
Several scholarships are also available through the individual colleges or institutes. Some of these are merit based and some are solely based on financial needs. Each have their own requirements. You may want to check with the institute of your choice for more information.
A lot of colleges and universities provide athletic scholarships so if you have a sport talent, you can use t to obtain funds for your education!
Some scholarships and grants are program-specific and you may avail it in whatever institute you wish to study.
Some of these scholarships are mentioned below:
The Arkansas Public Health Association provides a USD 500 and USD 1,000 scholarships for Arkansan students who wish to enroll in a field of Public Health. You would be required to have a High School diploma, minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. The deadline for the applications is 16th March every year.
You can contact Gwendolyn Paul, 870-325-6311 ext 224 or visit the Arkpublichealth website for more information.
The American Respiratory Aid Foundation
The American Respiratory Aid Foundation offers two scholarships of USD 1,000 in memory of Morton B. Duggan, Jr, and in memory of Jimmy A. Young. These scholarships are open to all states. You will need to complete the application form, provide verification of enrollment in an accredited respiratory care training program and official transcripts verifying a GPA of 3.0 or better. You will also need to write a paper on some aspect of respiratory care. And the last requirement is reference letters from the program director or any other senior faculty member and the medical director or other physician approving the candidates paper, verifying the candidate’s worthiness for the award and their potential for a career in the field of respiratory care.
All documents need to be mailed to:
American Respiratory Care Foundation, 9425 North MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100, Irving, TX 75063-4706
For more information, you may contact them on (972) 243-2272
The American Medical Technologists
The American Medical Technologists provide five scholarships of USD 500 every year to students pursuing a career in a medical discipline certified by the AMT. The award is need based so applicants would be required to provide evidence of financial need.
The deadline for application is the 1st of April every year. Application form and more information is available on the AMT website. For more information you may contact them on 847-823-5169 ext. 226
Work to pay for your tuition
The Federal Work Study Program provides fund for students in need to be able to finance their post-secondary education. The FWS provide these funds to the participating institutions. These institutions would either employ you themselves, or a federal, state or local public agency would employ you. And you would be paid for the job so that you are able to pay for your tuition. When you visit the financial aid office of your institution of study, find out if they participate in the FWS program. This would be a good way of paying for your college and staying debt free. Again, FAFSA is a mandatory requirement.
Pharmacy Tech Trainee- ABS LLC, Texarkana Arkansas
Do you want to help prepare prescriptions for patients and help provide service for clients who are dropping off and picking up the medicines they need? If this sounds like an interesting career to start out on, you should consider a pharmacy Tech Trainee opportunity at ABS LLC in Texarkana. This opportunity is available to those with a high school diploma or something equal to it and who are at least the age of 18. You will learn to perform a variety of task under the direct supervision of Pharmacists. You will also have the opportunity to have direct interaction and to provide customer service to customers of all ages throughout your shift. Additional training and testing may be required before or after you finish your training. Apply here:
Phlebotomist-Mobile Blood Driver-Red Cross in Little Rock Arkansas
You can apply to work for Red Cross Mobile Blood Drives. You do need to hold a CDL but if you are looking for a career in the medical industry where you can truly help people, this is a good opportunity. You will receive all the training needed to work as a phlebotomist if you are hired for one of the positions. The job will allow you to help set up blood drive sites and to collect blood from donors. You need to have a high school diploma and to be dedicated to learning how to help others both in the classroom and with on the job training. Some entry level computer skills are also necessary for the job. You can apply on the Red Cross Website Here:
Certified Nursing Assistant Training- Pleasant Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation
You can train to begin a career a paraprofessional nursing field. As a CNA, you will work under a nurse to provide assistance with the daily care of patients. You will help patients with eating, bathing, dressing, getting to and from activities and other healthcare needs. Be encouraging and motivating to patients as they try to get stronger and feel better or in helping them to keep a positive attitude. You will play a very important role in their care team and can truly make a difference. To qualify for this program, you do need to have a high school diploma or a GED. You will need to have good written and verbal communication skills and be able to work in a fast paced environment.
12111 Hinson Rd, Little Rock, AR 72212