Grants and Scholarships: 

The fields of healthcare and nursing are rapidly growing and skilled nursing assistants are in high demand. CNAs play a such vital role in patient care, that the growth of CNA jobs is projected to grow 11% by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because of this demand, you may qualify for free CNA Classes! There are many federal agencies that will fully or partially fund vocational training. There are specific grants such as the Pell Grant for undergrad students with exceptional financial need and will cover up to $6,000 of expenses in a calendar year. For privately funded scholarships, contact your CNA school to find out if they offer any tuition incentives based on low-income or academic achievement. Even if they won’t fund your tuition, they may be able to provide course textbooks, materials, or uniforms at no cost.  

Do you volunteer? You can also find scholarships or financial aid opportunities through your work with non-profits. For example, the American Red Cross offers the Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship, which was established to promote nursing as a career and foster involvement of new nurses in the Red Cross. The scholarship is available to nursing students (undergraduate or graduate) who are volunteers or employees of an American Red Cross Unit. 

If you can’t find a fully-funded CNA program, you can also opt for a partially-funded program such as the Certified Nurse Assistant Training Program with Goodwill. The 11-week training program provides low-cost CNA classes for low-income students who just pay a nominal eligibility fee and must pass a nurse entrance interview. After graduation, the career counselors also help students find CNA jobs for the next 5 years. You must be 18 years old, have no criminal background, and pass a reading and math assessment.  

Employer Partnerships:

Employers are in need of nursing assistants and many are willing to pay for your training and certification. CNAs are able to promote quickly and advance to levels such as Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses. Due to this career advancement, there is a high turn-around rate for CNAs and employers must fill their nurse vacancies. In many states, if you are employed within 12 months of completing the training, you can apply for your employer to reimburse your training.

Before you start your training, search for CNA jobs near you to connect with possible employers. Speak with the Human Resources department and ask if they reimburse for training or if they have partnerships with specific CNA schools. They may even pay for your state exam fees or provide on-the-job training. Nearly half of all the nation’s CNAs are employed at nursing facilities, followed by 30% at hospitals and 13% at assisted living facilities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Job Corps: 

Job Corps is the largest free residential education and job training program in the nation. It is a federally funded public agency within the U.S. Department of Labor and is meant to help young people finance their general academics and technical training for vocational-type careers. They can also help you finish your driver’s education, GED or high school diploma if you need one as a prerequisite for your career choice.  

In addition to providing training, Job Corps helps students with daily living expenses such as residential housing, food service, health and dental care, a bi-weekly basic living allowance, and a clothing allowance. Students can move to the Jobs Corps center where they live, train, and study in their chosen career field. When you graduate, there are career advisors and counselors who will help you write your resume, plan your career, continue your training on-the-job, and find CNA jobs near you. 

The Job Corps requirements are: 

• You must be between the ages of 16-24. The maximum age limit may be waived if the applicant has a documented disability. Minors must have a consent form from a parent or guardian. 

• You must be a U.S. citizen, a legal U.S. resident, or are a resident of a U.S. territory and/or are authorized to work in the United States.

• You must be considered income-eligible by public assistance, poverty-level income, homeless status, a foster child, or a qualifier of free or reduced-price lunch. 

• You must have a child-care plan for any dependent children. 

• You may not have any criminal convictions, any illegal drug use, any behavioral issues, or be under court supervision. 

Jobs Corps offers completely Free CNA Classes. Students in the Certified Nurse Assistant Program learn how to care for patients’ daily needs, record vital signs, follow emergency procedures, and learn how to care for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. You will have 18+ months to complete the CNA program. To be accepted to the Job Corps nursing assistant program you must: 

• Meet basic academic requirements in math and reading 

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent 

• Complete the core curriculum with passing scores 

• Register with the state nursing registry

The #1 Best CNA School

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