Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pell Grant Available For Online Degrees To Become A Physicians Assistant

The international need for physician’s assistants has hit such levels that the nation of Australia has sent recruiters all over to seek them out. Many experienced American PA’s are in such demand domestically that they often work two jobs to meet the need. The salaries have escalated to where one can get $75,000 a year with a few years experience, a two year degree and certification, often financed with the help of scholarship and grant online opportunities.

Still, the current economy is holding an incredible number of potential candidates back as they are unaware of these sources of funding. The cost of tuition has been rising faster than the current rate of inflation and even on a two to three year program (much less a Bachelor’s) many people are highly hesitant of facing a decade or more of student loans in order to enter the profession.

To quote the American Academy of Physician’s Assistants, it’s now time to start thinking outside the box before getting a student loan. They point out an extraordinary pile of internships, scholarships, grants and more available to those willing to enter their profession. So, with a little research and some council from a financial aid advisor, the Academy states it’s possible to not take out any loans at all. Here’s where they suggest to start looking:

(1)  Federal and State Government – For starters, the Academy notes many of its members are single parents and are thus eligible for Working Mom grants. Both the federal and state governments have a number of other programs in place too. If that isn’t enough, the armed services and federal agencies like AmeriCorps, will train and/or provide educational vouchers for service plus give on hand training, a vital part of PA training.

(2)  Internships – The Agency reports that major hospitals and clinics need PAs so badly that they will train and educated them personally. While many of the organizations offering this program are brick-and-mortar colleges, the private institutions usually hook the student up with an online college. As the career involves on-hand experience before getting certification anyway, this is a great way to line up all one’s ducks in a row.

(3)  Professional Societies – The Agency itself gives $1,000 a year to a number of student physician assistants. They also note that many of their sister professional groups, mainly from specialized areas such as oncology, have similar programs. If anyone knows what the current job conditions are, it’s them.

(4)  Corporate Scholarships – One of the best known of these is the Tylenol Scholarship, which has set up a program that gives deserving medical students in many brackets financial aid. In fact, it sets aside $250,000 a year across the board for several hundred of them. The best way to find them is to get a list and get in contact with them, from insurance to pharmaceutical manufactures. Most likely, they do.

(5)  Ethnic, Religious and other Fraternal Societies – Apparently there are funds from sources most never ever think of, such as the Elk’s Club, the National Organization for Women, American Legion, United Negro College Fund and even the Girls Scouts. A little research and you’ll be surprised what’s out there.

When researching, look for PA online degree grant or PA scholarship online and then be ready to be amazed at the amount of hits that generates.  From private to corporate, scholarships online and grants for college must be investigated as a way to enter this high demand field, without incurring high costs.

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