Accelerated Program Nursing Students

nrenteria · Aug 28, 2008

I think you can try to get a loan, but if you already have a degree, you cannot get a grant.

MB37 · Aug 28, 2008

I just graduated from an accelerated program. The federal government considers you to be ineligible for GRANT money if you are working on a second degree at the same or lower level. That means no free money for nursing school if you already have a bachelor's degree whether you go to an accelerated or a traditional program. The only way to get grants is to find a direct entry MSN program. However, you can certainly borrow money. I got both subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans that covered the cost of tuition plus a couple grand each semester for books and living expenses. I could have gotten more, but I'm married and my husband makes too much. There are other options as well for free money. You can work part time (although tough in an accelerated program) and get tuition reimbursement from your employer, you may be able to get loans paid back as a sign on bonus when you graduate, and there are tons of private scholarships out there. I only got $500 one semester, but it depends on your school and the timing. I went to a 4 semester program, including 2 summers, and for some reason there are no scholarships at my school in the summertime. Weird, but I had to deal with it. Go to a school that isn't $30K a year, since you'll have to borrow at least most of the $$ for tuition, but know that federal loans are still readily available as long as you didn't borrow to the limit for your first degree (the limit was around $46K, don't know if it's changed).