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Choosing to pursue a graduate healthcare degree is a big decision — one that will shape both your career and your finances. As you begin comparing programs, two questions are likely rising to the top: Can I afford graduate school, and how will it benefit me long-term?

If you are considering a graduate degree in athletic training, advanced nursing practice, pharmacy, or physician assistant (PA) studies, you can pay for graduate school through a combination of:

• Federal student loans
• Scholarships and grants
• Employer tuition assistance
• Payment plans
• Private education loans
• Savings or income
• Service-based loan repayment programs

But before comparing tuition costs and financial aid packages, it’s important to understand what you are paying for — and how your program choice may affect your long-term opportunities.

Choosing a Graduate Program Is About More Than Cost

Cost matters. But paying for graduate school is about more than finding the lowest price. It’s an investment in your future.

If you are pursuing a healthcare career, your graduate program may be directly connected to the work you want to do after graduation. For many healthcare professions, a graduate degree is required for licensure, certification, or advancement, which means your decision affects more than tuition alone.

The investment you make — both in time and money — to pursue a graduate healthcare degree is one that has the potential for an exponential return. For example, a conservative estimate of the investment required to pursue a graduate nursing degree shows a difference in salary of $1.3 million over a typical 30-year career.*

As you compare programs, consider clinical preparation, accreditation, career outcomes, mission fit, and long-term opportunities alongside cost.

*Projection provided by Dan Evans, CFP, using starting salary for RN vs FNP in 2026.

Costs Included in a Graduate Healthcare Program

Tuition is only part of the total cost. , Executive Director of Financial Aid at ��������, encourages students to research graduate costs and financial aid options early.

Before comparing programs, ask for the estimated cost of attendance and what expenses are included.

Looking at the full cost of attendance and breaking it down by semester can help you avoid surprises later. Work closely with your admissions counselor to consider all of your costs and payment options.

Common Ways To Pay for Graduate Healthcare Programs

The right mix of payment options depends on your specific program, borrowing eligibility, and financial situation. Your admissions counselor can help you compare these funding options.

Start With the FAFSA

For many graduate students, the first step is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

The FAFSA helps determine your eligibility for federal student aid, including certain graduate loan options. Even if you are unsure whether you will borrow, completing it can help you understand what may be available.

Graduate students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible once it becomes available for the upcoming academic year, typically October 1.

Graduate students are typically considered independent students for FAFSA purposes, which means aid eligibility is usually based on the student’s own financial information.

Scholarships and Grants for Graduate Healthcare Degrees

Scholarships and grants can reduce the amount you need to borrow. Some are offered by universities, employers, healthcare organizations, foundations, professional associations, or community groups.

Students searching for nursing scholarships, physician assistant scholarships, pharmacy school scholarships, or athletic training scholarships may also find opportunities related to:

• Academic achievement
• Leadership
• Military service
• Ministry or mission-focused healthcare
• Rural or underserved healthcare

Ask the school or department that houses your program whether scholarships are available for graduate students in your field. Jenerette also recommends checking with professional associations related to your field of study.

Graduate scholarships may be more limited than undergraduate scholarships, so search carefully and ask direct questions.

Graduate Student Loans and Private Loan Options

Graduate student loans for healthcare degrees are changing, but healthcare professions continue to offer strong career opportunities, and many students view graduate education as an investment in their long-term earning potential and ability to serve others through their profession.

While financing strategies may look different than they have in the past, students who plan ahead and understand their options can still pursue graduate education with confidence.

Note: This article provides general information only. Student loan rules, limits, and eligibility can change. Seek financial aid counseling before making borrowing or enrollment decisions.

How Federal Loan Changes Affect Graduate Students

Federal student loans are one of the most common ways students pay for grad school, and the borrowing rules changed as of July 1, 2026. As of July 1, 2026, Graduate PLUS loans are no longer available to new borrowers. New graduate and professional borrowers will be eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans only, subject to annual and lifetime borrowing limits.

While these changes affect how some students finance graduate school, they do not eliminate the opportunity to pursue an advanced healthcare degree.

Because graduate student loan options and borrowing limits are changing, students should ask updated questions before assuming federal loans will cover the full cost of attendance.

Jenerette said students should first understand how their program classification affects borrowing eligibility. The two most important questions are simple: “What program am I in, and have I borrowed before?”

All federal student loans borrowed in the student's own name also count toward the overall federal lifetime loan limit of $257,500. Parent PLUS loans borrowed by a parent do not count toward the student's lifetime limit.

For more details about borrower status, legacy borrower rules, and how federal limits apply, visit Cedarville's OBBBA FAQs page.

How To Fund Your Graduate Degree

For many students, financing graduate school involves combining multiple resources rather than relying on a single funding source. As federal borrowing options evolve, students may benefit from taking a broader view of how they fund their education.

"Students still have options," Jenerette said. "The key is understanding those options early and creating a plan that fits their situation."

Some students may need to combine federal loans with other funding sources, such as scholarships, employer tuition assistance, payment plans, savings, income, or private education loans.

Questions To Ask Financial Aid Include:

• What federal loans are available for my program?
• Which loan-limit category applies to my program?
• What annual and lifetime borrowing limits apply?
• What happens if federal loans do not cover the full cost?
• How should I compare federal and private loan options?

Employer Tuition Assistance

Employer tuition assistance can help reduce borrowing costs for students already working in healthcare or related fields.

Many of Cedarville's online advanced nursing (MSN and DNP) graduate students pay less than $1000 out-of-pocket, with some paying $0. “We find, especially with nursing, nurses are often working full time,” Janice Supplee, Dean of Graduate Studies at ��������, said. “And so, they are able to maximize — and we will help them maximize — their employer tuition benefit.”

Before relying on employer benefits, ask:

• Which programs qualify?
• Is there an annual limit?
• Are funds paid upfront or reimbursed later?
• Do I need to earn a certain grade?
• Must I remain employed for a set time?
• Can employer funds be combined with other aid?

Service-Based Loan Repayment

Some healthcare professionals may qualify for loan repayment or forgiveness programs after graduation, especially if they work in eligible nonprofit, government, military, rural, or underserved settings.

Requirements vary by program, profession, employer, and location. Do not assume you will qualify automatically.

Private Education Loans

Private education loans may help bridge remaining costs after other aid is applied. Because lenders vary, students should compare interest rates, repayment terms, fees, cosigner requirements, borrower protections, and available incentives carefully before borrowing.

Jenerette also recommends paying close attention to interest rates and repayment terms when comparing lenders. He added that strong credit may help students qualify for better borrowing options.

Questions To Ask Before You Enroll in a Healthcare Degree Program

Before choosing a graduate healthcare program, ask:

1. What is the full estimated cost of attendance?
2. What costs are billed directly by the university?
3. What additional costs should I plan for?
4. What federal loan options are available?
5. Which loan-limit category applies to my program?
6. Are borrowing limits changing for my entry term?
7. Are scholarships or grants available?
8. Can outside scholarships be applied?
9. Are payment plans available?
10. Do students commonly use private loans?
11. Can I work while enrolled?
12. Does the program include travel or clinical costs?
13. Who can help me compare financing options?

If you feel unsure whether you can afford a program, start with the school of study. Ask what the program offers, where graduates go, what placement rates look like, and what career opportunities may follow.

Then look honestly at the cost.

“Ask those questions and answer them honestly,” Jenerette said.

How Cedarville Approaches Affordability and Quality

As you compare graduate healthcare programs, affordability matters — but so does the quality of your preparation.

At Cedarville, graduate healthcare programs are designed with both educational quality and financial sustainability in mind, building on a strong undergraduate foundation.

“We have a three-legged stool when we develop any graduate program,” said Supplee. “It has to be financially sustainable, it has to be connected to our mission, and we have to believe that we can deliver it with quality.”

That intentional approach also shapes how Cedarville thinks about affordability.

“Sometimes people think that a private Christian university for a graduate program is going to be a lot more expensive,” Supplee said. “But if you compare ���岹������������’s cost, even against public universities in the state, you’ll find that we’re very competitive.”

Many of ���岹������������’s graduate healthcare programs are intentionally connected to undergraduate pathways that help prepare students for graduate-level healthcare training.

Some accelerated pathways may also help reduce both time and overall cost. For example, students can earn both a bachelor’s degree and Master of Athletic Training (MAT) in five years through a 3+2 pathway. ���岹������������’s pharmacy program also offers a 2+4 pathway that allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in six years.

Loan Categories for Cedarville's Graduate Healthcare Programs

Based on current federal guidance, ���岹������������’s graduate healthcare programs fall into two borrowing categories:

Take the Next Step

A graduate healthcare degree is a major but worthwhile investment, but you do not have to navigate the financial side by yourself.

Before you assume a program is out of reach — or that loans will cover everything — talk with your admissions counselor. Starting those conversations early can help you understand your options.

The earlier you begin planning, the more options you may have. Compare programs carefully, ask questions early, and understand the full cost before making a commitment.

Compare graduate healthcare programs through The Graduate School at �������� and connect with your admissions counselor to begin planning your next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pay for graduate healthcare programs?

Most students use a combination of federal loans, scholarships, employer assistance, payment plans, private education loans, savings, income, and service-based repayment programs.

What is the first step for graduate financial aid?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, including certain graduate loan options.

Are Grad PLUS loans going away?

Yes, effective July 1, 2026, Graduate PLUS loans are no longer available to students who are new borrowers for their program.

Which Cedarville healthcare graduate programs are considered professional programs?

For federal loan-limit purposes, the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is currently considered a professional program. Professional programs currently have a maximum annual federal loan limit of up to $50,000 and a program-level lifetime limit of $200,000.

Which Cedarville healthcare graduate programs fall under the graduate loan limits?

Based on current guidance, the Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies (MMSc-PA), Master of Athletic Training (MAT), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) fall under the graduate loan limits for federal borrowing. These programs currently have a maximum annual federal loan limit of up to $20,500 and a program-level lifetime limit of $100,000.

What if federal loans are not enough?

Students may need to consider scholarships, employer assistance, payment plans, savings, income, or private education loans. Cedarville offers access to to help students compare private lenders and access the best loan terms currently available.

Where can I learn more about borrower status and loan-limit details?

���岹������������’s OBBBA FAQs page explains borrower status, legacy borrower rules, lifetime limits, part-time enrollment, and other federal loan details.