Tuition Assistance Programs for Nursing Students

Employer Tuition Assistance Programs for nursing students can fall into two categories: tuition reimbursement and tuition remission. If you are already working in the profession, an employer tuition assistance program can help you to achieve the necessary qualifications to improve both your position in the company and your salary.

Tuition Reimbursement for Nurses

This option is often taken when you or your employer decides that it would be beneficial for you to increase your nursing qualifications. For example, you may already have a CNA and use tuition reimbursement to study to become a Licensed Practical Nurse or earn a degree to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Part-time workers are generally not excluded from these type of programs, but it is often the case that there will be a lower reimbursement threshold if you are not a full-time employee as you are deemed to have a greater opportunity to study outside of your employment.

For tuition reimbursement, it is common procedure for you to pay for your own tuition costs (including course materials) initially and then be reimbursed by your employee at a later date - often once you have officially completed the course with a certain pass. To prove your grades, employers tend to ask you to submit a grade report at the end of the semester.

While the pass mark is predominantly dictated by your employer, you are typically expected to achieve a pass of "C" or better in academic standards or to achieve a pass in the pass or fail grading system. If your tuition has been funded by a scholarship (as opposed to you paying for it yourself), you may not be reimbursed for tuition costs but you would be for course materials such as textbooks.

Depending on the employer, you may be reimbursed for all of your tuition. In other cases, this may be restricted to half or three-quarters of your total tuition costs. For doctorate degrees, a reimbursement for three-quarters of your tuition costs is fairly standard but may vary from employer to employer. Most employers will have a maximum amount that they will not exceed. If the cost of your tuition goes beyond this, you will probably be expected to fund the rest of it yourself. In some cases, you will only be funded for a set number of classes per year. Some employers will allow you to choose the nursing school at which you will receive your tuition, while others will specify that you need to attend a specific nursing school to be eligible for tuition reimbursement.

Tuition reimbursement plans vary, with some only providing benefits for job-related courses while others provide benefits regardless of course of study. Some plans restrict benefits to degree related course work while others cover non-degree programs such as professional certificate programs. Some plans reimburse tuition expenses alone but others may cover tuition, books, and fees.

Check with your company`s human resources department to learn details of your company`s program, and be sure to fill out an application for tuition reimbursement before applying for other forms of financial aid.

General Tuition Reimbursement Procedures

1. Determine available benefits and eligibility requirements for your company`s plan.
2. Apply for admission at the school you plan to attend
3. Get accepted for admission at the school you applied to
4. Complete an application to participate in your company`s Tuition Reimbursement Plan
5. Get any necessary approval signatures on the application if needed
6. Submit completed form to the proper department (usually human resources)
7. Apply for all other forms of financial aid and scholarships you may be eligible for
8. Register for the classes you plan to take
9. Upon completion of your courses for that period submit a receipt of tuition and fees paid and an official grade report from the institution to the person who manages the employee tuition reimbursement plan at your company.
10. Get paid.

Tuition Remission for Registered Nurses

Whereas tuition reimbursement usually requires you to pay for your own tuition costs and be temporarily out of pocket before your employer reimburses you, tuition remission means that your employer will pay for your tuition costs on an up front basis if you qualify for the program.

Full-time employees may be eligible for up to 50 per cent remission on tuition costs., and in some cases, this will rise to 100 per cent. Most tuition reimbursement programs require you to have worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a full-time capacity for at least six months prior to taking part in the program. Temporary workers are generally excluded from these type of programs as they are not considered to be full-time employees.

Tax Information

If you receive educational assistance benefits from your employer under an educational assistance program, you can exclude up to $5,250 of those benefits each year. This means your employer should not include those benefits with your wages, tips, and other compensation shown in box 1 of your Form W-2. This also means that you do not have to include the benefits on your income tax return. However, if your employer pays more than $5,250 for educational benefits for you during the year, you will generally have to pay income tax on the amount over $5,250.

There are many ways to make nursing school affordable and tuition reimbursement plans should be the very foundation of your financial aid plan. Thousands of working adults are making use of employer paid tuition reimbursement plans in order to advance their education and career goals through campus based courses, online nursing degree programs, and professional certificate programs. You can too!

Learn More About Nursing Degree Programs
Achieve the education you need to turn your nursing career goals into reality by requesting program information from nursing schools that offer accredited nursing degree programs that match your needs:
Explore Online Nursing Programs,
Explore Nursing Schools By State

The College Network

Online

Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.

Programs:

• LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• Paramedic to RN

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• B.S. in Nursing (BSN)
• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing
• MS in Nursing (RN Required)
• BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Salida
Bakersfield
Fairfield
Lancaster
Diamond Bar
San Francisco
Pasadena
Fresno
Oakland
Ontario
Elk Grove
Gardena
Lathrop
Rancho Cordova
Livermore
Murrieta
Roseville
Woodland Hills
Costa Mesa
Online
Sacramento
San Jose
Palm Desert

Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Diploma: Vocational Nursing
• Diploma: Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician

Campus Locations:

San Diego
Vista
Bakersfield
Stockton
Chula Vista

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Medical Assistant
• Associate of Occupational Science in Respiratory Therapy

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Ontario
Anaheim

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration

Campus Locations:

San Marcos
San Diego
National City

West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• LVN to BSN
• RN to BSN

Campus Locations:

Anaheim
Ontario

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• AS in Vocational Nursing
• Certificate in Vocational Nursing
• AS in Registered Nursing

Campus Locations:

San Jose
Sacramento
San Leandro
Antioch
Stockton
Citrus Heights
Emeryville
Pleasant Hill

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Assistant
• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
South Gate
Gardena
San Bernardino

Santa Barbara Business College

Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Medical Assisting Diploma
• Medical Assisting Associate

Campus Locations:

Rancho Mirage
Santa Maria
Santa Barbara
Ventura

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Fairfield
West Covina
Elk Grove
Orange

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Addison

Charter College

Campus

You can prepare for a new career with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find new opportunities after graduation.

Programs:

• Diploma - Vocational Nursing
• Diploma - Medical Assistant
• Certificate - Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Canyon Country
Lancaster
Long Beach
Oxnard

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)
• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics
• M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

Institute of Technology

Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing-Diploma
• Medical Billing/Coding Specialist
• Professional Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Redding
Modesto
Stockton
Clovis

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

Programs:

• Licensed Vocational Nurse

Campus Locations:

Colton
Anaheim

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS
• Medical Assisting, AS
• Health Services Administration, AA (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Stratford Career Institute

Online

Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.

Programs:

• Health Care Aide
• Medical Office Assistant

Saint Xavier University

Campus

Saint Xavier University is a Catholic, coeducational, comprehensive university focused on the liberal arts, and offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students across the country.

Programs:

• MSN in Clinical Leadership
• MSN in Executive Leadership
• Nurse Educator Certificate

Campus Locations:

Chicago

Everest College

Campus

Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.

Programs:

• Diploma - Medical Assistant
• Medical General
• Diploma - Medical Administrative Assistant

Campus Locations:

Torrance
Ontario
Santa Ana
Los Angeles
San Jose
Alhambra
LA Puente
San Francisco
Anaheim
Reseda
Gardena
Hayward
San Bernardino

Platt College

Campus

Turn your talents into a career. Nationally recognized and accredited Platt College offers degree programs in Graphic Design, Multimedia, IT Networking and Paralegal.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Medical Administrative Specialist
• Respiratory Therapy Associate of Science

Campus Locations:

Alhambra
Riverside
Ontario

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Medical Office Administration

Campus Locations:

Roseville
Salida
Fresno
Stockton
Salinas
San Francisco
Hayward
Rancho Cordova
Concord
Milpitas

UEI College

Campus

UEI College can give you the real world medical, business, and technology skills you need to start a rewarding career. Let us know how we can assist you with your personal growth by helping you train for your perfect career.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Riverside
Fresno
Gardena
Bakersfield
Stockton

Empire College

Campus

Empire College, located in Santa Rosa, California, can give you the career training you need to launch or advance your career in the Business, Law, Technology, or Medical fields.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Santa Rosa

Milan Institute

Campus

Successful careers begin at the Milan Institute. We offer quality hands-on training, experienced faculty and a staff committed to helping you realize your goals.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Administrative Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Clovis
Visalia
Bakersfield
Indio

CBD College

Campus

Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles

WyoTech

Campus

The career-focused programs at WyoTech can give you the hands-on training you need to succeed. Program areas includemechanics, technician training, and technology.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical General

Campus Locations:

Long Beach

Mayfield College

Campus

Give your career a boost with an education from Mayfield College. Our academic programs include medical front office, computer support technician, and general office management.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Cathedral City