How did you get financing for the Associates Degree in Nursing program?

Nursing Students Excelsior

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I filled out a FAFSA but then saw where you can't use a federal grant for the Associates in Nursing degree at Excelsior? Did you try to get scholarships or get a loan? I am a single parent so hope to find some financial aid. Trying to get that worked out so I can start soon. Any input would be appreciated.

I guess I still don't understand why they say they won't approve the financial aid. The school has nothing to do with it. Financial aid comes from the government. I would talk to the head of financial aid and find out exactly why they say you can't get federal loan money.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Non-traditional programs do not qualify for all the same financial programs as a regular 4- or 2- year programs. That is one reason Excelsior students do not qualify. The federal government regulates what colleges/programs qualify and Excelsior and similar pograms do not qualify.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The LPN/RT/Medic to ADN program does not qualify for Federal grants or subsidized federal loans because it is an examination based program not a classroom (classroom can be online, distance or brick & mortar) program. The only financial aid available for Excelsior's programs are scholarships (Excelsior has a few and to apply you must file a FAFSA) and private grants or loans. Some state higher education authorities will finance distance, online or examination degree programs, but not many

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I will be doing it with the help of my hubby!!

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

justbeachynurse.... I was told that If I took traditional college courses to obtain my ADN that it qualified. It is a 2 year Associate of Science degree. It was that it was basically a "correspondence" course that a person Clepped or ACT tested out of all or most of their classes, and that was why it did not qualify. My friends at the local community college obtained federal assistance in their traditional program.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

mds1 I was referring to the Excelsior program (as this is a thread in the online distance learning/Excelsior program).

Other programs offered by Excelsior (such as the BSN program) that has distance learning & online courses not just credit by examination qualify for Federal Financial aid.

Financial aid for online students - excelsior.edu (The only credit by examination program at Excelsior is the LPN/medic/RT to ASN program)

I think because this thread was "trending" recently there may be some posters that may not realize that this is a thread in the Excelsior College program and not a general nursing thread.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Justbeachynurse.. I guess yiou did not see my prior post. ( and I am aware of the name of the forum)

I did graduate with my Associate of Science (Nursing) from Excelsior College in 1996. At that time, it was not online(few places had online course then.). It was a combination of previous and recent college courses and testing out(CLEPP, ACT).

I have started classes through EXCELSIOR for my BSN, and, according to the rep from the College network, the program is still not eligible for all federal financing programs. My classes towards the BSN are no different than towards the Assoc. Sc., I can combine either trad. classes or test out, or online classes.

I am paying for all this myself, and truly wish I could obtain grants. I imagine I could get a loan or several, but my income would make grants out of the picture. Like I asid, tho, the college network rep told me that Excelsior students are still ineliigible for many programs..

To change the subject.. perhaps someone knows.. does Illinois Still NOT accept RN licensure transfers who graduated from Excelsior(similar programs). I have heard that other states have similar restrictions???????

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Thank you all for answering my questions, it is very appreciated. Have a great day!

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Most people pay for the exams and other expenses as they are able, one at a time. The most difficult expense, other than the initial enrollment and the biggie at CPNE time, is the annual administrative fee. That is why it is best to move quickly through the program, so one can avoid shelling out that money once a year, for essentially nothing.

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Specializes in Medsurg, LTC.

Not applicable to EC self paced nursing program, thats the disadvantage.

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