Tuition Assistance

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 & 1990 requires any long-term care facility such as a skilled nursing facility, that accepts Medicare / Medicaid patients to reimburse newly employed Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who have personally paid for their NA Program training costs. New CNAs may receive reimbursement up to 12 months after completing their NA training program. Keep your receipts of payment for your NA training (tuition, textbooks, other required course materials) and OSBN certification fees to be reimbursed.

Reimbursement may be prorated dependent upon the length of employment and the percentage of Medicare / Medicaid patients in the facility population. A facility is not required to reimburse the nursing assistants in cases where the expenses were paid by an employer, education training program, or reimbursed by a previous employer.

See DHS Nurse Aide Training Reimbursement Form SDS 0451B for more information.

WorkSource Portland Metro connects job seekers with training funds, career resources, and employment services. You may be eligible for funding assistance to help cover the cost of your CNA training.

The STEP program may be able to cover the cost of training, textbooks, gas, bus tickets, housing and utility costs, child care, and work clothes.