Overview
Catawba College typically offers smaller-cohort programs with personalized advising for graduate students. For nurse practitioner specifically, federal student aid covers a fraction of total program cost. This guide walks through the math and the funding strategies NP students use.
Cost of attendance considerations
NP-track students at Catawba College should plan against a total cost of attendance of approximately $54,000 to $80,000 per academic year, of which only $20,500 is covered by federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. That leaves a per-year funding gap typically in the $33,500 to $59,500 range to be funded through scholarships, employer assistance, savings, or private student loans.
The funding stack: how NP students close the gap
- FAFSA + federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. File the FAFSA the year before each enrollment year. Accept the full $20,500 in unsubsidized loans annually. This is the foundation.
- Institutional aid from Catawba College. Contact the Catawba College graduate financial aid office about institutional grants, departmental scholarships, and need-based aid for graduate nursing students.
- External scholarships. AANP Foundation, Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, NHSC Scholarship, Sigma Theta Tau International, and specialty association awards from groups like AANPAC, NAPNAP, GAPNA, and APNA.
- Employer tuition assistance. If you work as an RN at a hospital while in NP school, check tuition reimbursement benefits. Many systems offer $5,250 to $25,000 per year toward graduate nursing education.
- Private student loans for the remaining gap. Use a marketplace like Juno to compare offers from multiple NP-friendly lenders with one soft credit pull, then choose the best terms.
See your exact gap in 30 seconds.
Plug in Catawba College, your expected start date, and graduation date. We will tell you what federal aid covers and what you will need to fund privately.
Calculate My Gap →Frequently asked questions
What scholarships are available for NP students considering Catawba College?
Major NP-specific scholarships available regardless of which school you attend include the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program (full tuition + stipend for 2-year service commitment), HRSA NHSC Scholarship (HPSA-area service), Indian Health Service scholarships, military Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), AANP Foundation awards, Sigma Theta Tau International, and specialty association scholarships from groups like NAPNAP, GAPNA, AANPAC, and APNA.
Are there employer tuition assistance programs that work with Catawba College?
Most large hospital systems and academic medical centers offer tuition reimbursement of $5,250 to $25,000 per year for RNs pursuing NP credentials at any accredited institution, including Catawba College. Up to $5,250 per year is tax-free under IRS Section 127. Most plans require pre-approval BEFORE enrollment and a service commitment of 2 to 3 years post-graduation.
Do Catawba College students qualify for state-specific NP loan repayment?
Most states offer loan repayment assistance for nurse practitioners serving in rural or underserved areas, regardless of where they earned their NP degree. Check your state Department of Health website for the latest programs. NPs are also eligible for federal NHSC Loan Repayment ($50,000 over 2 years) and Nurse Corps Loan Repayment (up to 85% over 3 years) regardless of school of attendance.
What if Catawba College does not have an NP-specific program?
If Catawba College does not currently offer an NP-track program (MSN-NP, DNP-NP, or post-master's NP certificate), you have two options: (1) attend a different school with an accredited NP program, or (2) complete prerequisite coursework at Catawba College and transfer or apply to an NP program elsewhere. Use the calculator at np.financial to model funding for whichever school you ultimately attend.