Paying for any academic program can be an overwhelming task. While there are loan programs available for graduate students, amassing a large debt before graduating from college is never a good idea. There are several options for financing a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program without relying completely on one source of financing.
General Information on Paying For Graduate School
The issue of paying for graduate school has been raised by millions of students across the country. Concerns related to financing an education have been answered with tips from leading business publications in the United States.
The Wall Street Journal outlines average yearly financial aid amounts to help graduate students decide which schools they can afford. Master’s degree programs typically offer between $7,000 and $7,300 in financial aid. Private loans, scholarships and savings can help fill in the gaps left behind after this financial aid is applied.
U.S. News and World Report provides unique tips for financing an education. Some employers may be willing to pick up a portion of the tab if employees are pursuing an education in a related field. Students who want to pursue an MHA may be able to get an employer to pay for tuition if they are employed in the healthcare field.
Fellowships that allow students to receive a reduction or even complete forgiveness of tuition are available at some schools. Discuss these options with an admissions representative to learn more.
MHA Scholarship Programs
Scholarships are available for students who wish to pursue an MHA degree. The Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) offers nine different scholarship programs that award students up to $40,000 for tuition, fees and other academic expenses. Some students are eligible for scholarships through academic diversity programs. The Institute for Diversity allows healthcare management students to apply for scholarship programs once per year.
Students should also research scholarship opportunities at their university of choice. Many schools offer unique financial aid opportunities that are only available to students who have been accepted into an MHA program.
Searching For the Right School For Your Budget
Paying for an MHA may be a matter of adjusting the list of schools to apply to in order to include only the schools that fit into a budget. Online schools often offer lower tuition that on-campus programs, but remember to read the fine print to learn about fees before applying to a program.
An unconventional method for making an MHA program more affordable is negotiating tuition. This technique is typically reserved only for students who have an outstanding academic record or work experience. Students who are desirable to a university may be able to receive a discount on tuition by talking to an admissions representative.
Paying for an education at any level can be a struggle, but most jobs in the United States require a candidate to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. People who wish to pursue a graduate degree in healthcare administration can research scholarships, fellowships and benefits from employers before enrolling in a program.