General requirements to receive Grants

manna, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2003

You need to fill out a FAFSA if you haven't already - has to be done every year.

If you and your husband make under a certain amount each year and you have an accredited school, I'm sure that you could qualify for a Pell Grant and sub/unsub Stafford loans. (those are guaranteed by the government, so it doesn't matter if you have credit problems, etc)

There's also TONS of websites with information about scholarships (nursing and otherwise) out there on the internet.

I think your best bet would be find a time when you can go into the financial aid office of the school you plan to attend and talk to them about it.... they'll be able to give you the most specific, pertinent information about that school and your situation.

Good luck.... I can completely relate to how you feel. I'll have to quit my job to go to nursing school if I get in for next fall, and I'm already terrified about how to make ends meet when/if that happens! :)

Luv2banurse2004 · Dec 4, 2003

I agree, the financial aid office at your school is the best source of info. I had to do a loan last semester and actually about a 1/2 hour ago, I got a letter stating that I'd been awarded over 1300 in school & federal grants for this semester :roll Since these don't need to be paid back that takes a huge weight off me (btw - hubby & I don't have kids so I never thought I'd qualify but we're both students now).

Anyway, I'm starting my program in 5 weeks :eek: and I'm going to have to quit my f/t job & hubby works p/t so I'm veeeeeerrrry nervous because it'll be tight for a while. I'm looking into p/t CNA jobs which I will qualify for after Nur 101. I figure I can't afford to do this but I definitely can't afford not to! It's called sacrifice and by holding to the course all the struggle is worth it in the end.

Wish you the best, don't worry--just do what you can to keep your household expenses down and look ahead!

LeesieBug · Dec 5, 2003

I found a handy little thing that estimates your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution, meaning how much they expect you to pay out of your own pocket). It has been pretty accurate in predicting mine the last couple years.

If your EFC is pretty low, you will probably get grants toward tuition. Even with a fairly high EFC you can get student loans. If your school has a web-site for student financial services, you can get the low-down on maximum loan amounts.

Good Luck!

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml

Cheryle · Dec 5, 2003

Thanks a bunch!!! I really appreciate all the suggestions.

And good luck to all of you too!!!!!

CarVsTree · Dec 5, 2003

You may not need to apply for financial aid at all. I didn't and I'm receiving a full scholarship (tuition, fees, books) from a local hospital. Contact hospitals in your area.

Also, when you contact the financial aid office, find out if they have a specific counselor for the nursing program. My school does and this is where you can find the hospital scholarships. BTW, in exchange for the scholarship money, I owe them a 1 year work commitment (although other hosps req'd 2 years).

Take care!