There are various ways to pay for your healthcare training in Maryland. Some of the ways will depend on your circumstances in life. Let’s look at just a handful of the many options that could be available to you.
Tuition Waivers
Maryland has several tuition waiver programs that would make it possible for students to receive their tuition for free. This could include various healthcare related degrees.
Students with disability Waiver is a tuition waiver for students with a disability. In order to qualify, you must already be receiving SSI or SSDI benefits. To apply, you will need to fill out the FAFSA. And, of course, you will need to show documentation that you are receiving disability payments.
Foster Care Waiver: Some students who are 24 and under and who were in foster care at some point in their childhood will qualify for this waiver. You can learn more about the specifics of eligiblity by visiting here: http://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_fostercare.aspx. Again, you will need to feel out a FAFSA for consideration.
There are some other tuition waiver programs. Talk to a financial aid officer to find out if your situation could perhaps qualify you for one of these programs. They should be able to help you fill out any forms needed to be considered for tuition waivers. You can receive waivers for more than one academic year.
Nursinghomeabuse.net Awareness and Prevention Scholarship
This is a unique scholarship opportunity for nursing students. The student must be able to show that they will work hard to fight against abuse of patients in nursing care facilities. They must be able to show that they will do what they can to spread awareness and to help prevent this abuse. Scholarships awards can be as much as $5000 to a student who wins. You must have and maintain good academic scores to qualify. You can visit their website for more specifics on the scholarship and how you can be entered for consideration.
State Grants
There are various state grants that could help you to pay for your healthcare education. You will need to complete a FAFSA to determine which grants you may be eligible to receive. One such grant is the Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant. Those who qualify should receive 100 percent of their need for their college tuition. The number of grants given each year will depend on funding. This grant is for those who are high school senior in a career prep program at their local high school.
Most state grants are need based. Students with the largest financial need will generally be considered for the grant first.
Jobs where there is a shortage
If you are training in areas where there is a shortage of professionals in Maryland, you might qualify for financial help. But you will need to work in Maryland in a job within the area you trained for a 12 months for each year you were awarded the scholarship. For example, students in nursing, physical therapy or even occupational therapy can apply for the Workforce Shortage Student Assistant Grant Program. This is an excellent opportunity since some students receive as much as $19,000 in grants that do not need to be repaid. Visit the financial aid office at your college or training center to learn more.
Unemployed individuals
If an individual is unemployed and it is not for reasons they can control, they may qualify for free training through the Workforce Investment Act to get Maryland residents back to work. Only certain colleges such as Baltimore Community College participate in this program. Even though not all colleges participate you will find many throughout the state who do. Those who meet eligibility requirements can receive their full LPN training at the college without needing to pay for the training on their own.
2901 Liberty Heights Avenue -Baltimore, MD 21215-7807
Help for Women
Some programs may be intended to help women afford training. One reason for this might be because a woman wants to return to work after her husband is hurt or injured and cannot work or perhaps a single mom needs a better career. The Caroline center in Maryland will provide free CAN training to some women each year if their financial assistance department determines they meet criteria and are truly motivated to start this new career path.
900 Somerset St-Baltimore, MD 21202
If you agree to work in an area that is underserved in your healthcare profession, you might receive help or reimbursement for some of your educational expenses. Scholarships and grants are always available as well if you do not qualify for direct training from a workforce development provider.
Free Training
The Woodstock Job Corps provide training for Clinical medical assistant, Medical and nursing assistant programs. These trainings are free of charge and they pay a living allowance to the students as well. The benefits don’t end here. You may avail their dorm facilities and 3 nutritious meals a day free of charge. After graduation, they assist with job placement for upto 9 months, provide career counseling, relocation counseling services and a transition allowance. So if you are really looking to get into the field of allied health and finance is the problem then this is a good opportunity for you. All you need to do is work hard and land a good job that will then further advance you career. You may call them on (410) 461-1100 Or (800) 733-5627.
On the job training
If you are keen on developing a career as a Pharmacy Technician then CVS Health would be an ideal place to get quality on-job training. If you can fulfill their requirement which does not at all need any funds to get to then you have hit the right job! You must be atleast 16 years of age, know how to greet customers in a courteous and professional manner, maintain customer confidentiality according to the company’s and HIPAA standards, assist all front store customers with their concerns and answer the telephone with the appropriate greeting and manners. If you qualify for all this then go ahead an apply. CVS trains the right candidates to be able to move to a Pharmacy Technician position after successful complete of the CVS Pharmacy Technician training program and as per the local state pharmacy guidelines. They also have many locations statewide so you can choose the location that best suits you to apply at. Visit their website cvshealth.com to apply for a position at one of their 34 locations statewide.
Low cost training
Many institutions offer online courses for allied health care programs such as Medical assisting. These are at a lower cost compared to an on-campus training, however, you will need to choose one that provides certification that is recognized by the state of Maryland.
Several institutes provide certificate and diploma training programs that can get you entry level qualifications to start off your career. The cost of these training programs are also significantly lower than the colleges and university. Some institutes also have financial aid options.
Scholarships
You may also ask the financial aid office of your college or university for options for you. I would suggest that you fill up the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It is a time consuming requirement for any financial aid in any of the colleges, university or institute you may choose. Some of the questions may also be intrusive but it is worth taking some undisturbed time out to fill them accurately as it is the most common requirement for any financial aid.
Some scholarships you may want to look into are:
Suburban Hospital Scholarship Program
Suburban Hospital Scholarship Program offers the Suburban Hospital Casey Scholarships for current employees enrolled in a nursing or allied health program such as radiology technology, respiratory therapy, medical technology, physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, occupational therapy, or physician assistant.
You will be required to maintain a GPA of 2.5 and give a service commitment at a Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.
The deadline for applications are 30th November and 30th April.
You may contact them at: Suburban Hospital Scholarship Program, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, Phone: (301) 896-3492
Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grants
Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grants provides scholarship awards of variable amounts to students who have completed the college preparatory exams and wish to join a full time study program in one of the Maryland institutions. The criteria is need based, however, you must maintain a GPA of 2.5. You may contact them on 800-974-0203.
Maryland State Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships
Maryland State Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships awarded by Maryland State Senators to residents of their legislative districts. You may contact your legislative representative for the application procedures. You may contact them on 800-974-0203 for more specific information about the scholarship.
Many institutions offer Part time Grant as well to degree seeking students. So do ask the financial aid office of the institution you wish to attend for this option if you feel is more feasible for you. The grant amount varies from USD 200 – 2,000.
Sleep Technologist Trainee-Center for Sleep and Wake Disorders, Chevy Chase, MD
Have your recently graduated college with a BS Degree and have determined you want to go into the healthcare field? If so, there is an exciting opportunity for you at this sleep center. You can apply for a full time internship to learn to be a sleep technologist. As a sleep technologist, you will help to prepare patients for sleep studies. You will also assist with their testing throughout the duration of their stay at the sleep study. If you complete all the necessary requirements to become a certified sleep technologist during your training, you can then apply for consideration for a permanent job.
(301) 654-1575 · 5454 Wisconsin Ave Ste 1725. Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Medical Assistant Trainee-Meritus Health
You can begin your career as a medical assistant, by applying for this trainee program. You will learn to carry out a range of medical office duties. There are some clinical duties you will perform as a Medical Assistant as well. You must become full certified as a medical assistant within ½ year of being hired for this position. Some individuals who are hired may be scheduled and trained to work in an urgent care setting. You must be able to work well with patients, their families and all members of the medical staff. You can apply by creating an account here:
https://re11.ultipro.com/MER1012/JobBoard/listjobs.aspx?Page=Browse
Ophthalmic Technician-Silver Spring Eye
The office is seeking an individual to train to become a technician in the eye doctor’s office. You will learn to perform certain eye testing. You will learn to assist the eye doctor with a range of other tasks when working with patients in the office. In addition, you will assist with office administrative tasks. You must have good computer skills and will also need to have good interpersonal communication skills. A trainee job like this can help you enter into the medical field by learning about eye health care for individuals of all ages.
8630 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910