Financial Aid for Accelerated BSN and other advice?

Ariesbsn · Mar 21, 2007

Hmmmm, I did an Accelerated BSN and graduated with $24,000.00 in loans for 18 months of school. I was told that there were no grants available and that my only option was for loans.

kellia · Mar 21, 2007

Hmmmm, I did an Accelerated BSN and graduated with $24,000.00 in loans for 18 months of school. I was told that there were no grants available and that my only option was for loans.

So you were able to finance the whole thing and this was your second Bachelor's degree?

sunnyjohn · Mar 21, 2007

I think they mean $10K in federal loans.

You can borrow the rest in private loans if you really have to.

I hope things work out for you.

Qtp2t RN · Mar 21, 2007

Last night I went to an info meeting for an accelerated 12 month program for students who already have a bachelor's degree. We were told it cost $17,000 for the program but since we are second degree students, the most we'd get in loans is $10,000. Is this true and if so, how did you pay for it? You obviously can't work while you are doing it...
I am so stressed right now! I really want to do this, but she also told about how they are changing their admissions, so if you don't apply by Dec. 31, 2007, you will need to have a 3.8 to get in. I get good grades, but that is a little too much pressure for me! So, I will now have to take 5 science classes with labs by the end of the year, in addition to running my home daycare full time.
While an assoc. would be cheaper, it would take 3 years just to get into clinicals because the wait is so long. I called other community colleges with shorter waits and was told that in-district students get precedence, so the wait would be long there, too.
Geez, I haven't even started my classes and I'm a nervous wreck!! Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all! Sorry for the rant...

Hi Kellia - I will be entering an Accelerated BSN program for students with a pre-existing bachelor's degree in the fall. I have begun to look into loans to pay for school, as well. My program will last 11 months and cost me over $32,000 in tuition alone. Here's what I've found:

- Although I never received any grants or took out student loans for my 1st bachelors degree, I do not qualify for any "free money" (grants) because this is my 2nd bachelors degree.

- I will only be able to borrow about $10,000 in federal loans because this is a 2nd bachelors degree

- I do qualify for private loans such as Sallie Mae loans (www.salliemae.com) and private loans from other sources.

Most of the private loans that I've found so far will allow students to borrow up to the cost of their tuition and related fees minus any other loan amounts (for example, in your case $17,000 tuition - $10,000 federal loans = $7,000 private loans). I've also been told about other private loan sources that will allow students to use the loan to pay other school related expenses, as well, such as books, housing, and commuting fees.

The internet is a great tool for researching different loan types and providers. There are numerous private loan sources out there. Good luck in your search!

~Cathy