How to Fund Your Healthcare Education in Virginia

With the growing demand for medical workers, Virginia’s Community Colleges have become popular starting points for rewarding healthcare careers. Community colleges not only prioritize training for jobs with high prospects but also reduce the financial barriers by providing core stepping stones and ample financial aid resources.

On Board Virginia is partnering with FastForward to help community college students in Virginia understand what funding and other incentives are available for healthcare education. Learn about choosing healthcare careers with growth potential, finding scholarship programs to pay for healthcare training, and opportunities for paid hands-on training through Earn While You Learn programs in Virginia.

Not sure which career to choose? Explore our healthcare pathways page to discover options!

Key Takeaways:

• FastForward is the fastest, most affordable career training program in Virginia. Students only pay a third of their education costs if they complete a program—the average cost being about $800.

• Earning healthcare credentials and certifications can prepare you for an entry-level healthcare job within six months to a year. Many then take advantage of employer tuition benefits to cover continuing education costs for additional training or degree(s).

• Several institutions offer Virginia healthcare scholarships and grants. Work with your community college’s financial aid office to reduce education costs further. Virginia-based funding often requires you to be a resident of Virginia for at least 12 months.

1. Pick the Right Credential(s), Certificate(s), and/or Associate’s Degree(s)

2. Leverage Federal Financial Aid

3. Explore Virginia State Grants

4. Apply for Community College Scholarships

5. Find Virginia Healthcare Scholarships

6. Use Work-Study Programs Such as Earn While You Learn

7. Look into Employer Tuition Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement Programs

8. Consider Transferring to a Four-Year Institution

Investing in healthcare credentials and certifications is a cost-effective way to gain entry-level employment and build work experience. College-level certification courses are also available for high school students to accelerate their workforce timeline after graduation.

Think of certifications as short-term career training programs that boost your employability in clinical and allied health professions.

The chart below compares the average yearly income of various healthcare positions by education level.

While salary typically increases with completed education and experience, certificates and associate degrees allow students to quickly enter the workforce and gain the necessary experience to advance.

Healthcare certificates to consider (with average salary in Virginia):

• Pharmacy Technician – Average Salary: $39,700

• EMT – Average Salary: $38,000

• EKG Technician – Average Salary: $43,300

• Medical Billing & Coding Specialist – Average Salary: $46,800

• Nurse Aide – Average Salary: $36,500

• Medication Assistant – Average Salary: $37,000

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Average Salary: $54,000

• Assisted Living Facilities Administration – Average Salary: $64,000

Most of the healthcare certificate costs are eligible to be covered by FastForward, a financial assistance program available in all 23 Virginia community colleges.

How it works:

• Students pay a third of the fee when registering for an approved program. The average out-of-pocket cost is about $800.

• The Commonwealth of Virginia covers the second third when the student completes the program and the final third when they obtain the credential.

• Students can access career coaches, networking opportunities, and other job search resources to secure employment.

Find a Virginia community college near you to get started.

Beyond the FastForward program, federal financial aid programs can further reduce healthcare education costs through grants and scholarships. Work with your community college’s financial aid office to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The application determines your eligibility for various forms of financial assistance, including:

• Pell Grant: These need-based grants go toward undergraduate students without a bachelor’s or a professional degree.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): The FSEOG provides students who have exceptional financial needs with additional support beyond Pell Grants.

• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: Students who aren’t eligible for the Pell Grant but had a parent or guardian in the U.S. Armed Forces who died as the result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, may be eligible. The amount is equal to a Pell Grant.

• Federal Work-Study (FWS): FWS provides part-time jobs for undergraduates with financial need. The work typically relates to the student’s coursework but not always.

Virginia offers several state programs for undergraduates, prioritizing those who don’t have a bachelor’s or professional degree. The award amount will depend on your FAFSA and any additional documentation provided.

• COMA (Virginia Commonwealth Grant): COMA awards undergraduate Virginia students who need financial assistance with funds to cover up to the tuition and fees of the academic year.

• VGAP (Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program): The VGAP provides financial aid ranging from $500 up to the cost of tuition, fees, and books for Virginia residents who graduated from high school with at least a 2.5 GPA. Students who meet the criteria and have been awarded other financial aid should contact their community college’s financial aid office to see if they qualify for VGAP.

Each Virginia community college offers its own scholarships based on academic achievement, financial need, or specific fields. To understand all options, students should consult with the individual community college’s financial aid office and explore the college’s grants and scholarship page to identify local opportunities.

Colleges often have a scholarship database to help students understand eligibility, which can help rising students and non-traditional students (e.g., older adults, those looking for a career switch, veterans, and students from a disadvantaged demographic) identify financial aid options.

Beyond college-specific financial aid, there are three tuition programs backed by Virginia’s Community Colleges at all sites:

• Virginia’s Community Colleges’ G3 Program: This tuition assistance program supports Virginia residents who qualify for in-state financial aid and whose total household income falls below a certain threshold (roughly $124,000).

Students pursuing a qualified healthcare education program can apply for G3 to cover their remaining tuition costs, potentially bringing their total out-of-pocket expenses to $0.

• PTAP (Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program): A state-funded grant, the PTAP helps undergraduate Virginia students with demonstrated financial needs. The grant is usually applied after the add/drop period.

• VCCS Tuition Grant: This grant assists undergraduate Virginia students who graduated high school or a general education development (GED) program while in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or is considered a special needs adoption.

Virginia’s government healthcare agencies, community colleges, and healthcare-specific organizations offer scholarships exclusively for students pursuing healthcare-related fields. The Virginia Department of Health and VA Careers lists state-funded grants, but you can also search for scholarships within your field to get more specific.

Some examples of healthcare scholarships in Virginia are:

• Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship (CNA, LPN, and RN): In exchange for maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA and demonstrating financial need, nursing students may receive up to $2,000 per year for up to four years.

• Virginia Long-Term Care Facility Scholarship Program: Virginia undergraduates enrolled in an accredited nursing school can earn this scholarship in exchange for working in a long-term care facility as an LPN or RN for one year after graduation.

• Virginia Health Information Management Association (VHIMA) Scholarship: Virginia residents enrolled in a BS or BA for an accredited program leading to a registered health information technician (RHIT) role can apply for the VHIMA scholarship to cover tuition costs.

• Maxine Williams Scholarship Fund: This scholarship awards medical assistant students enrolled in CAAHEP or ABHES accredited programs with financial aid.

Some hospitals offer work-study programs called Earn While You Learn (sometimes called Earn As You Learn). This apprenticeship program allows students to work in Virginia hospitals under the guidance of an experienced mentor while taking qualifying courses.

Paid on-the-job training may be available for a variety of healthcare roles such as:

• EMT

• Phlebotomy or Clinical Lab Assistant

• Medical Assistant

• CNA

• Pharmacy Technician

• RN

• Paramedic

• Surgical Technology

• Medical Lab Assistant

• MRI Technologist

Earn While You Learn holds key benefits for all parties:

• Students can apply their classroom knowledge to practical clinical situations, exposing them to everyday responsibilities and establishing clinical critical thinking skills.

• Students are paid for their work, which can cover tuition and other education costs.

• Participating hospitals gain much-needed healthcare workforce support while establishing a hiring pipeline with local schools.

Beyond the Earn While You Learn Program, healthcare students can pursue work-study programs through their community college to find applicable part-time jobs. Check with your school’s financial aid office to discover healthcare openings.

Beyond scholarships and grants, employer tuition assistance and employer tuition reimbursement are two of the best ways to fund healthcare education. Both are contractual programs that help full-time employees cover tuition costs for relevant credentials, certifications, or degrees. In exchange, the employee agrees to continue working for the employer for a set duration or other requirements.

New allied health professionals often earn credentials to pursue entry-level roles in Virginia hospitals. After a year of full-time work with their employer, they can apply for the employer’s tuition assistance or reimbursement programs to pursue additional education.

For example, a nursing student might earn their credentials to become a CNA or LPN through a community college program. After working at a Virginia hospital that offers employer tuition assistance for a year, they could leverage the program to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing to qualify for the NCLEX and become an RN.

But what’s the difference between tuition assistance vs tuition reimbursement?

• Employer Tuition Assistance: The employer pays for qualifying education up front in exchange for employee work. This significantly reduces the employee’s out-of-pocket costs, reducing the barrier to continuing education and expanding their professional growth. Employer Tuition Assistance helps retain and grow healthcare talent in Virginia hospitals.

• Employer Tuition Reimbursement: The employee pays for qualifying education out of pocket. After completing the course and any additional requirements, the employer will reimburse the tuition cost up to a set amount. Employer tuition reimbursement helps attract healthcare talent who have just completed their education.

Several major Virginia hospitals offer employer tuition assistance and reimbursement, including but not limited to:

• CHKD

• Centra Health

• UVA Health

• Inova

• VCU Health

• Bon Secours

These programs may also apply to employee dependents. By working at a Virginia hospital, you could secure a meaningful and accessible healthcare career path for your children!

Talk to your hospital’s HR department to understand what your healthcare education options are. Or, research Virginia hospitals to find employers with attractive education assistance programs.

Virginia community colleges provide a solid healthcare education foundation at an accessible cost. While some may jump straight into an entry-level job after earning their credentials, others may decide to pursue additional healthcare education.

Many four-year colleges in Virginia have agreements with community colleges that make it easy to transfer credits. By starting at a community college, you can save money on tuition while completing your general education and introductory healthcare courses.

Funding your healthcare education while attending community college is entirely possible with the right strategies. By taking advantage of federal and state financial aid, applying for scholarships, and exploring employer and community resources, you can make your education affordable.

Remember, the investment you make in your healthcare education will pay off in the long run with a fulfilling and stable career.

If you’re a student pursuing a healthcare career, start exploring these options today to make your education dreams a reality!