Most phlebotomy programs will generally cost anywhere from $1000-$5000 depending on the school, but that is a lot of money. Believe it or not, you can actually become a phlebotomist for free. You can do this by looking for sponsors to pay for your education and training quite easily if you know where to look. Phlebotomy is a popular field that needs new employees to work in hospital, laboratories, and nursing homes. Here are some places to that you can find funding for your phlebotomy training.
Unemployment Programs
If you are currently unemployed and receiving unemployment checks or public assistance, then you may be able to obtain a scholarship or gain access to special funding for a phlebotomy program. You should consult with your local unemployment office and ask them about the programs they offer.
Job Corps Program
The Job Corps offers a lot of free and low cost programs to young adults between the ages of 18-25. If you are within their income and age guidelines, then you will likely be a candidate to receive their free training program. They offer training and classes in a wide variety of fields from healthcare to business.
Hospital Training Programs
If you happen to live in an area that has a lot of hospitals or a large medical school, then it is likely that one of these facilities offers a training program or fast track for phlebotomy. Also, if you already happen to work for one of these institutions then it is likely that they will offer some type of reduced cost training program or even a tuition reimbursement program. You can contact your human resource department for more information about what types of programs they offer.
Career Colleges and Trade Schools
Career colleges and trade schools often offer free or low cost training for those that would like to become a phlebotomist. There are some scholarships available as well depending on the school, so you will have to request more information from the school.
Rehabilitation Programs
There are a number of rehabilitation programs that offer funding for education and training. Rehabilitation programs for ex-offenders, drug addicts, and even physical rehabilitation for people with work related injuries are usually eligible to receive assistance for their education. You can find out more about this by visiting an unemployment office or job center.
Community colleges
Community colleges already offer most of their classes at a relatively low price as it is. Many community colleges offer scholarships to those that have a strong academic background or a significant amount of financial need. Phlebotomy programs are offered at many institutions and you can find out more about what they offer by contacting the financial aid office.
Scholarships and grants
Since you will be attending school like anyone else, you are still eligible for most of the scholarships and grants out there. You can look for grants and scholarships online or get a book from the library that has an extensive list of programs that you can apply for.
Becoming a phlebotomist is a rewarding career experience and you should be able to do that without taking out student loans. There is plenty of money available, but you will have to put forth some effort to find it. Try to look for funding before school starts and make it a rule to apply for everything that you are eligible for. You may not win every scholarship or get funding from every program, but chances are that you will end up with at least some funding for your education.