There are literally thousands of scholarships opportunities for undergraduate students. Some of these are general scholarships, where you can apply no matter what your degree program; others are specialized to undergrads studying in a certain field. Many can be renewed year after year, so you can go to college for as little money as possible. No matter what the terms of the scholarship, apply to as many as you can so that you don’t have as many out-of-pocket expenses while in college.

Scholarships are an attractive choice for your undergraduate degree because they don’t have to be repaid after your schooling is finished, as you’ll find with student loans. Even if you’re interested in a career field where you’ll be eligible for reimbursement and repayment programs, as is often the case if you go into a medical career, scholarships meant that you won’t have an upfront costs to pay. Grants are available as “free money for college” as well, but with grants, you have to prove strong financial need. Scholarships, on the other hand, are given to undergrads based on merit, such as academic achievement or special skills and talents.

Many scholarship problems are set up like competitions. Applicants are asked to write an essay around a specific topic, and these essays are judged by a panel. The top essays for the year win the scholarship money. Even if you don’t consider yourself a good writer, you should apply to these types of programs. Students are typically encouraged to get help with the essays from high school teachers and others who will critically edit their work. In addition, essays are often judged based not just on writing talent and grammatical skill, but also on the story you tell. You need to convince the judges, in your essay, that you deserve the scholarship offered.

Many students who go to school online don’t apply to scholarships because they think they don’t qualify. That’s simply not the case, more often than not. Some scholarships are only available to traditional campus college students, but usually, the scholarship rules state that any program applies as long as it is accredited. Schools go through accreditation programs to essentially prove that they are preparing students for their respective careers. Some programs choose not to go through accreditation processes; that doesn’t mean that they don’t give you a quality education. However, this also opens the door for problems like scams and diploma mills. When scholarships fund your education, especially if you’re going to school online, they want to ensure that the program is legitimate.

When applying for scholarships as an undergrad, make sure you follow directions carefully so that you have a better chance at being awarded the money. Also, check on rules for reapplying during subsequent years – some scholarships renew as long as you keep your grades up, while others ask students to go through the application process again in order to qualify. Apply to as many scholarships as possible, and look to other forms of financial aid, and you could find yourself going to school without paying a dime.

Top BSN Schools Online

For LPNs or RNs looking to make more of a contribution in their nursing professions, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) is a good step in the right direction. Below you'll find the best online schools schools that offer programs to help you achieve your nursing goals.

Top Online RN to BSN Programs

	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix College of Nursing offers an online RN to BSN degree program that is geared toward further developing the skillset of practicing nurses. The curriculum of this particular degree prgoram is built on a foundation of general knowledge of biological, physical, and social sciences.
	Kaplan University — If you're an RN looking for more responsibilities (and a larger paycheck), the RN to BSN completion degree program from Kaplan is an ideal choice. The online coursework includes studies in ethics, health care policies, health promotion, and much more.
	Liberty University — Liberty University offers a general Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program that prepares students for becoming leaders in the nursing industry. The curriculum here incoporates the core Christian values and beliefs that underscore the mission of Liberty University as an evangelical Christian school.

Online LPN to BSN Programs

Indiana State University — Indiana State is proud to offer the only online LPN to RN/BSN degree program in the nation. Students of this program complete upper-level coursework and exams online and finish the required clinical hours at a local facility.

Other Online RN to BSN Programs

	Capella University — The RN to BSN degree offered by the Capella University School of Undergraduate Studies meets the nursing profession standards set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Areas of study in clude pharmacology, nursing ethics, leadership, patient care technology, and patient care safety.
	Chamberlain College of Nursing — Chamberlain offers a fast-track RN to BSN program that allows registered nurses to earn their bachelor's in nursing entirely online within three semesters. Actively licensed RNs can often times transfer more than 80 credit hours toward the program.
	Grand Canyon University — For registered nurses looking to improve their careers or take on more of a role, GCU offers an RN to BSN program that is sure to be of good value. Grand Canyon's program focuses on both the science and the art of nursing, so that students get a full education of the field.
	Keiser University — The RN to BSN degree program at Keiser University emphasizes management, health promotion, critical thinking, and leadership. Their particular curriculum prepares current RNs with better understanding of the economic, cultural, political, and social issues that can affect patient care.
	Walden University — Designed by nursing experts, Walden University's Bachelor of Science in nursing curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices that can be applied to the nursing profession. This particular program can be completed in under two years, depending on transfer credits from previous education.
	Arizona State University — The RN to BSN program from Arizona State University is taught in a convenient online format that allows RNs from anywhere in the United States. This program is best suited for active registered nurses who are able to transfer over prior credits and advance into new and higher nursing positions.