Getting a master’s degree in any field means that you’ll qualify for higher-paying positions with more responsibility. In today’s job market, it can also mean that you’re chosen over another candidate, since competition for jobs is so great. However, getting an advanced degree doesn’t come cheap, and many would-be students opt to not go back to school simply because of the cost of education. College grants can help pay for this expensive, giving you the money you need to get your degree.

Grants are like scholarships in that they don’t have to be repaid. Essentially, they are free money for school. However, unlike scholarships, which are given based on merit and other qualifying factors, grants are given almost exclusively based on need. Grant applications typically ask for detailed information about your finances and plans for the money, should you be awarded it.

One of the largest sources for health education grants is the United States government. As an undergraduate student, you likely applied for the Federal Pell Grant, which is given to all students who financially qualify. Students pursuing advanced degrees no longer qualify for the Pell Grant, but many government departments offer grants to students in specific fields. As a health education student, you should start by looking at the funds set up by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The United States Department of Education may also have grants available for students in your field.

In addition, the government also offers specialized programs in both the health and education field. For example, with the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education program, you can qualify for up to $4000 per year if you plan to teach in a low-income public school. There are also loan repayment programs, which are kind of like grants, but available after you’ve graduated to help you pay off your student loan debts.

The government is a great place to start, but this isn’t the only place to find grants for college. Many private organizations offer grant programs for students. You can apply both to general grant programs as well as grant programs specifically for students in health-related or education-related fields. Some of the organizations that offer grants include the following:

• Foundation of Research and Education
• Pfizer
• American Association of University Women
• Tylenol
• American Lung Association

There are other organizations that offer grants to students as well, both in the medical education field and for students studying in any field.

Lastly, you should contact your school’s financial aid department. Many colleges offer grants specifically for their students, and as long as you apply, you get the money. In addition, the health education department may have grants available for their students, and may also be able to direct you to local business or alumni who have funds to support health education students studying at your college.

While health educators can get entry-level jobs in the field with only a bachelor's degree, in order to obtain certain positions (especially in the public health sector), a master's degree in health education is usually required. An individual with an MPH, MS, or MHA in health education/promotion will have the required skillset and knowledge to be able to effective encourage healthy lifestyles and educate communities about disease and injury prevention. Listed below are the top online colleges offering gradute-level degree programs for individuals interested in pursuing or advancing a career in health education and health promotion.

Top Health Education Programs

MHA in Healthcare Education MSN - Healthcare Education	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix Masters in Health Education program provides students the tools to teach aspiring healthcare professionals. Nurses and other healthcare professionals will learn curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, and teaching strategies. They will use this knowledge to react to the major issues of the healthcare industry today.
MPH in Health Education MSN - Nurse Educator	Kaplan University — The Kaplan University Master's of Public Health provides students the knowledge to succeed in governmental, nonprofit, and private healthcare organizations. Within this MPH program, the Health Education specialty teaches the art of communicating health issues to diverse communities, along with the fundamentals of health policy development and healthcare law.
MS in Health Communication	Boston University — The Boston University online Master of Science in Health Communication program is designed to educate the future generation of health communicators through a dynamic curriculum that examines current healthcare issues. The program gives students a world class education in the art of communicating health literacy.
MS in Health Administration	Capella University — The Capella University MS in Health Administration is an online program that prepares students to excel in healthcare management. Courses include health care management, managed care, policy, law, finance, quality improvement. Students have the option to concentrate in Fire Service Administration, Homeland Security, Public Administration, and Public Health.
MPH in Health Education	Benedictine University — The MPH in Education & Promotion program at Benedictine University provides advanced education for individuals engaged in health departments, health maintenance organizations, hospitals, employee assistance programs, voluntary organizations, and social service agencies. Courses include Environmental Health, Health Policy, and Methods of Research in Public Health.
MBA in Healthcare Mgmt	Northeastern University — The Healthcare MBA from Northeastern University examines the US healthcare industry in a business context. The program surveys the growth of the industry from its birth as an institutional system to its current form of managed care. Courses analyze the business of healthcare, and include strategic decision making, environmental analysis, strategic formulation, and strategy implementation.
General MHA	Ohio University — At Ohio University's online Master's of Health Administration program, students can attend a world class institution and earn a degree targeted to their field that will advance their career at a convenient self-defined pace. Career options include hospital administration, systems administration, or clinical administration.
MBA in Healthcare	George Washington University — The George Washington University MBA in Healthcare prepares the student for a new or continuing career in healthcare management. The two year degree program includes a traditional MBA curriculum infused with healthcare electives including Management of Acute Care Hospitals and Physician Practice Management.
General MHA	Walden University — At Walden University's Master's in Healthcare Administration program, students are immersed in the study of health management and instructed by top administrators and scholars at the fore-front of their fields. The program of study features a diverse curriculum and emphasis on clinical service delivery.
MS in Healthcare Mgmt	New England College — The New England College MS in Healthcare Management teaches leadership skills to individuals that will shape the future of the healthcare industry. Healthcare leaders instruct students on a wide ranging curriculum, both online and in-class. The program is unique for its focus on the New Hampshire healthcare system.
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