As a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technician, you’ll work in the fast-paced field of medicine, but you can start working in this field without six to eight years of schooling, as is typical with most medical jobs. MRI technology is a subset of radiologic technologies, and in this field, you’ll use special imaging machines to explore the inside of patients without intrusive diagnostic methods, like exploratory surgery. Depending on your specialty and education, this is a field in which you can grow, starting as an assistant and working your way up the ranks to learn diagnosing, administration, and more. This all starts with one to four years of education in MRI technologies.

MRI technician college grants are available to help you pay for this schooling. Like scholarships, grants don’t have to be repaid after college, making it easy to focus on your education, rather than on pressure to make money and find a job in your field. Grants are based on financial need, so even if you’re not good at writing scholarship essays or you didn’t get particularly good grades in high school, you can receive help with college tuition, books, living expenses, and more.

Grants can come from a number of sources. The American Association of Radiologic Technologies, for example, provides a number of opportunities for students pursuing careers as an MRI technician or other kind of radiologist. In addition, you can look at organizations that have grants available for any student studying a medical-related topic. Some don’t care about your exact specialty as long as you are working in the world of health care after you graduate. Still other organizations don’t ask that you have a specific major at all and are open to all students who prove financial need, whether they are studying to become an MRI technician, an auto mechanic, a lawyer, or anything in between.

One of the largest sources for grants is the United States government. Every year, the federal government provides millions of dollars to students in the form of Federal Pell Grants. These grants are given annually and depend on your family’s financial situation in relation to all other applicants. The Federal Pell Grant probably won’t cover your entire tuition cost, but this is a great place to get started when you’re looking for money for college.

Schools themselves also often offer grants for MRI technician students. Your school’s financial aid office can explain to you the qualification requirements, as well as share information on school-sponsored scholarships, fellowships, and internships. Don’t forget to talk to the head of your department as well, since some grants are given directly through school departments, rather than through the financial aid office.

The application process for a college grant is typically difficult, and you may have to be able to provide a clear plan with how you intend to use the money. With most grants, the effort is worth the payout, since they could cover all of your costs, plus provide you with a small stipend for living expenses. Apply to every grant you can so that you’re able to go to college to become an MRI technician without worrying about money.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is typically a medical imaging technique used by medical radiologists to see the internal parts of the body. In some ways, it is similar to X-ray imaging. It is a relatively new technology, as MRI was first used on humans in 1977. Becoming an MRI technician generally requires a healthcare education from an accredited college.

Top MRI Tech Colleges

	Keiser University — Keiser's medical assistant associate's degree gives students the skills required to prepare examination rooms, take vital signs, assist in lab operation, take X-rays, perform MRI scans, and more. Graduates of this program may be good candiates for job placement as entry-level MRI technicians.
	South University — The AS in allied health science degree program from South University provides students with a general education with an emphasis on life science subjects including biology, anatomy, chemistry, and nutrition. Graduates of this program will be good job candidates for an entry-level MRI technician position.
	Kaplan University — The AS in medical assisting degree program from Kaplan University provides an education designed to train students for entry-level positions within the healthcare industry. Graduates of this program will be able to assist in routine medical procedures and lab tests, including MRIs.
	Grand Canyon University — Grand Canyon is the only online school to offer the ideal degree for individuals looking to become MRI technicians. Their bachelor's degree in medical imaging science is specifically geared toward preparing its students for a career in the field of medical imaging, including radiology, sonography, CT, X-ray, and MRI technolgies.
	DeVry University — DeVry offers a BBA in health services management as an online degree program that focuses on some of the healthcare knowledge and skills required of MRI techs. In addition, this program being a bachelor's degree teaches management skills for upper-level positions.
	Virginia College Online — This bachelor's degree in health services management from Virginia College is highly rated for its both its affordability and flexibility in terms of course scheduling. Students wanting to pursue careers as MRI technologists can learn entirely online and at their own pace.
	American InterContinental University — AIU Online offers an AABA in healthcare administration that prepares students for entry-level administrative positions within the healthcare industry. MRI technicians will find this curriculum of value as it prepares them to deal with the ethical, legal, and business issues which may arise during their careers.
	National American University — National American University offers an associate's degree in health information technology that will prepare students for careers as medical assistants of all sorts. Medical technologists specifically will work with patients' medical charts and forms and are often times responsible for data entry into computer equipment.
	Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences — The ideal degree for anyone hoping to become an MRI technician or advance an MRI technician career may be the BS in radiological sciences offered by the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences. This degree program provides its students with the credentials that medical imaging professionals need to move into a more administrative career role.
	Independence University — The associate's degree in allied health science from Independence prepares students for careers as MRI technicians by providing them with knowledge of cutting edge medical technologies.