FAFSA Basics
File FAFSA every year at studentaid.gov. The 2027–28 form opens October 1, 2026. Filing early maximizes your aid package.
- ●Uses tax data from two years back — the 2027–28 form pulls your 2025 return
- ●List all schools you're applying to
- ●Independent status if 24+, married, or a veteran
- ●Pell Grants don't need to be repaid — max $7,395 for 2026–27
- ●Subsidized loans: interest doesn't accrue while in school
- ●Requires U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status
Nursing-Specific Aid
Nursing has unique funding sources beyond standard financial aid.
- ●School-based nursing scholarships (ask your financial aid office)
- ●State nursing workforce scholarships (check your BON website)
- ●HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
- ●Indian Health Service Scholarship
- ●Professional nursing organization scholarships (ANA, NLN, NSNA)
- ●Hospital-sponsored scholarships with employment commitments
New this year
What changed for borrowers on July 1, 2026
The biggest rewrite of federal student lending in years took effect at the start of this academic year. Most of it lands on students headed past a BSN — but the Pell change reaches down to the shortest programs.
Grad PLUS loans are gone for new borrowers
If you start a graduate program on or after July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS is no longer available. This matters most for NP, CRNA, and CNM students, who often relied on it to cover costs beyond the standard loan cap. If you already borrowed a Direct or Grad PLUS loan before that date, you can keep borrowing within the same program for up to three years or until you finish.
New borrowing caps
Graduate students are capped at $20,500 a year and $100,000 total. Professional programs are capped at $50,000 a year and $200,000 total. Independent students face a combined lifetime limit of $257,000 across undergraduate and graduate borrowing.
Two repayment plans instead of many
Take out or consolidate a loan on or after July 1, 2026 and you get two choices: a tiered standard plan, or the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). RAP sets payments from 1% to 10% of adjusted gross income and forgives the remainder after 30 years.
Workforce Pell for short programs
Pell Grants now reach non-degree programs of 150 to 599 clock hours — roughly 8 to 15 weeks. That opens grant money to some CNA and other entry credentials for the first time. The catch: a program has to clear a 70% completion rate, a 70% job placement rate, and a positive return-on-investment test, and be approved by your governor. Many programs don't qualify yet, so ask the school directly whether theirs is approved.
One thing that did not change: a federal court vacated the rule narrowing which employers count for PSLF, one day before it was due to take effect. Hospitals and non-profits qualify as they always have.
Loan forgiveness & repayment programs
These programs can eliminate significant loan debt in exchange for service commitments.
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment
Up to 85% of loans (2–3 years)The main federal program for RNs. Pays 60% of your nursing school loan balance for two years at a critical shortage facility, plus up to 25% more for an optional third year. Also open to APRNs and nursing faculty. Highly competitive; applications have closed in March.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program
Up to $50K (2-year commitment)Work in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). This one is for advanced practice — NPs, CNMs, and PAs — not staff RNs. A Spanish-language proficiency add-on raised the full-time primary care maximum to $80K in FY2026.
NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment
Up to $100K (3 years)The exception that staff nurses miss: RNs qualify here. Work full-time for three years at a rural facility treating substance use disorder. Half-time service pays up to $50K.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Full forgiveness after 10 yearsWork full-time for a qualifying employer (most hospitals, non-profits). Make 120 qualifying payments.
State-Based Programs
Varies by state ($6K–$300K)Many states offer forgiveness for nurses working in underserved areas, and a few now run nurse-specific programs far larger than the federal ones — Michigan's tops out at $300K. Check your state health department.
Hospital Tuition Reimbursement
Varies ($2K–$10K/yr)Many hospitals offer reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees. Often requires a service commitment.
Program details and links on this page were verified in September 2026. Award amounts are published maximums — what you receive depends on funding, your loan balance, and your role. Application windows move every year, so confirm dates on the program’s own page before you plan around them.