Apply for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for grants given by the federal government. For example, the Pell Grant is awarded to students based on financial need who haven't received a bachelor's degree. LPN to RN programs in Oklahoma qualify since students spend time in the program working towards an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Check on workforce grants. The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides federal grant funds to workers who have been laid off through no fault of their own. This funding pays for training, less than two years in length, which leads to a high demand, high wage job. Contact your local Workforce Oklahoma Center or call 888-980-WORK to learn if you qualify if you have been laid off.
Look into private grants. Some private foundations provide grants and scholarships to students who need assistance paying for their education. Speak with the financial aid adviser at your institution to learn what private grants she is aware of for students in Oklahoma LPN to RN programs.
Apply for scholarships. Similar to grants, scholarships don't have to be repaid after you complete your LPN to RN program. Many Oklahoma colleges and universities provide scholarships specifically for nursing students, and scholarships are also available from private and nonprofit organizations.
Take out a student loan. Get a student loan through the federal government to pay for the costs associated with your LPN to RN program. While a loan must be paid back, the government offers special loan repayment programs for nurses. If you work in a medical facility experiencing a critical shortage of RNs in Oklahoma, 60 percent of your student loan can be forgiven after two years of employment at the facility and an additional 25 percent if you work a third year. This results in you only having to pay approximately 15 percent of the loan back, which if you had a $10,000 student loan would be $1,500.