Has anyone actually won any independent scholarships? (ie Fastweb, discovernursing)

[NCNurse2be]

I've been looking through several nursing scholarship databases (fastweb.com, discovernursing.com, etc...), and was wondering what the actual odds are for winning one of these scholarships. I'm currently looking for scholarships outside of the ones my school offers, and my search has come up pretty dry. A few things working against me: 1. I already have a bachelors degree 2. I am not a minority, and 3. my income level on my FASFA forms looks decent. What they don't take into account is that I'll be quitting my job and going back to school full time for by BSN in the fall. I've also been putting my husband through grad school for the past 2 years, so we don't have much in terms of savings. My husband and I will both be in school full time for the next 1.5 years, so I'm desperate for some additional financial help. Also, I'm not sure where we'll be living after we both graduate, so I can't look into hospital tuition reimbursement programs.

So.....Does anyone have any suggestions for any specific scholarships that I should apply for? Any suggestions would be a great help. I just don't want to waste my time pulling together all of my transcripts, writing the essays, filling out forms, etc... for each scholarship I see. (that gets pretty expensive as well). I was just wondering if anyone would be willing to share any info or advice they may have. Thanks for your help!!!

[mitchsmom]

I will be curious to hear what you find out about this, I pretty much gave up after looking at all the Fastweb, etc. stuff for the exact same reasons you listed.

Would your husband be eligible for more than you?

Did you already get some $ from school? I ended up with Stafford loans, but it just pays for school and related expenses for me (my husband is working so I don't need as much as you).

Also, you could get one of the deals with the hospital where they pay for your school in exchange for working for them if you wanted to pursue that route. I don't know all the catches, but when I was thinking about that I figured if I cancel the contract it's the same as paying back another (school) loan anyway.

[manna, BSN, RN]

Good question!

I've been lazy and actually haven't applied for many, if any, independent scholarships.

I'm not really confident that I'm going to get to enroll this fall, anyway, so I guess my lack of enthusiasm there has played out into how active I am in searching for funding (and in posting on this BB, lately).

[TopCat1234]

what they don't take into account is that i'll be quitting my job and going back to school full time for by bsn in the fall. i've also been putting my husband through grad school for the past 2 years, so we don't have much in terms of savings. my husband and i will both be in

school full time for the next 1.5 years, so i'm desperate for some additional financial help.

did you mention this to the financial aid office at the school you are going to? i mean about your husband going to school as well? that is considered a special circumstance that they will look at in your financial aid package.

i am currently not working as i complete my first bs and will not be, if i get into this nursing program in the fall. that means there will be zero income for me this year. i went in and spoke to my financial aid officer at my current school and let him know the story and my plans, regardless of what income i had on my fafsa, from working a full year in 2003. he was able to work it somehow to get me some grants and that definitely helped! i plan on going in and doing the same at my nursing school - letting them know there will be zero income from me this year and see what i can get.

it's worth a shot. the financial aid office will work with you only as much as you go in there and be a squeaky wheel. i know plenty of people who complain about not getting enough financial aid, but they never call the office or go in to make their case. my financial aid officer know me by name - i was in his office again yesterday, asking about any free money that might have slipped thru the cracks! trust me, those people want you to go to school and pay for it as much as you do. their job is to find you money - but you have to be the early worm and you have to be proactive.

once i am accepted, i fully plan on going up to my nursing school and introducing myself to my financial aid officer and let him/her know we'll be very cozy for the next few years! i also plan on applying for each and every scholarship for which i am qualified. you can't get the free money unless you try! don't give up!

topcat