Does financial aid cover pharmacy technician certifications?
As you embark on your journey to pursue a pharmacy technician certification, you may wonder what your options are regarding financial aid. The good news is that some schools offer multiple ways to secure financial assistance. And, depending on your program and eligibility, you might have access to federal financial aid.
In this article, we’ll look at what financial aid is available to individuals seeking a certification from a pharmacy technician program and how to find a program that’s eligible for federal financial aid.
Financial aid for pharmacy technician certifications
You can access federal financial aid for some pharmacy technician programs. To ensure you’re eligible to apply for federal financial aid, you’ll want to double-check that the pharmacy technician program you’re interested in (or are already enrolled in) is an accredited degree program. You can use the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to figure this out (or simply call a school and ask if it’s accredited).
Your next step is filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The FAFSA® will help you qualify for any federal grants, student loans, school-based scholarships, or work-study opportunities that may be available to you.
Filing the FAFSA® could qualify you for the following financial aid:
- Federal Pell Grants – These grants don’t usually need to be repaid, and for the 2024-25 school year, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants – If your school participates, you can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on various factors
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Work-Study Programs
- Program & College-Based Scholarships
To reiterate, if your pharmacy training program is eligible for federal financial aid, you’ll likely have access to financial aid programs. Even if your school and program are eligible, keep in mind, you’ll still need to meet the financial aid programs’ other eligibility requirements to receive this aid.
Scholarships for pharmacy technician training
On top of federal financial aid, there are many scholarships available. Some scholarships might even be available to you if your program isn’t eligible for federal financial aid.
A simple online search will lead you to many scholarship opportunities for pharmacy training programs.
Just a few that exist to be aware of:
- The American Pharmacist Association Foundation Scholarship Program is a pharmacy-specific program that offers several yearly scholarships totaling $1,000 each for pharmacy technician students.
- The GoodRx Pharmacy Helps Equity in Pharmacy Scholarship also awards financial assistance to selected future pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Private loans for pharmacy technician training
Another financial aid option to consider is private student loans. These differ from federal student loans in several ways, including repayment options and interest rates. Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions of a private student loan before accepting one. Keep in mind that private student loans have their own applications and aren’t related to the FAFSA®.
Pharmacy technician programs eligible for financial aid
This is not a comprehensive list but a sampling of some programs eligible for federal financial aid.
- Southwest School of Business and Technical Careers (San Antonio, Texas)
- Ultimate Medical Academy (Clearwater, Florida)
- Miller-Motte College (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
- Remington College (campuses in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Ohio, and Tennessee)
- Asher College (Dallas, Texas)
Final thoughts
When it comes to going to school to become a pharmacy technician, there are several financial aid options you can consider. Your school’s financial aid office may be able to provide more information about what's available and the next steps to take after filing the FAFSA® so you can best access the financial aid you’re eligible for.