Medical assistant degree

I live in Iowa and currently I am a non-certified nursing assistant at a very big, well known hospital. I am wanting to go back to school and have considered medical assisting. However, I currently make almost $14 an hour and I have only worked this position for almost 8 months...at my hospital the medical assistants start at around $15 an hour..I can't really decide pay wise if this would be a good option to go back to school for. In the long run I do see myself being happier as a medical assistant than a nursing assistant but money wise it's almost the same PLUS adding in all the financial aid Id end up paying back.....just looking for some advice on what I should do. Anybody?