I have a 4-year degree going to community college for nursing (LPN program)

nomadicpixie · Jun 5, 2013

Hi! I'm in the same boat as you, starting LPN in the fall and I have a BS already. You are actually able to get federal loans if your school will approve it. The feds only concern is if you have hit your max loan limit, which is 20-some thousand for subsidized and 50-some thousand for all fed loans if you are an independent student. I was able to get federal loans, I just had to fill out an exception to policy form for my school. You aren't eligible for grants anymore though and most scholarships. Another option is to get private loans, which you can get up to the cost of attendance amount that your school sets. You can get those through credit unions and banks, discover, and sallie mae. Hopefully you can get it all figured out.

Julesmama28 · Jun 5, 2013

You should still get loans unless you are maxed out from your previous degree. Or, since LPN is a certificate program you may not qualify. You can only take out so much for Bachelors, or associates programs.

lady4life · Jun 5, 2013

@ Nomadicpixie - I owe like $10,000 on my current loan (from my 4-year degree) The original loan was $13,000. Should I fill out the forms at www.fafsa.ed.gov first and then ask my school for an exception to policy form from my school? Is that what you did?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2013

@ Nomadicpixie - I owe like $10,000 on my current loan (from my 4-year degree) The original loan was $13,000. Should I fill out the forms at www.fafsa.ed.gov first and then ask my school for an exception to policy form from my school? Is that what you did?

Why don't you go for an Accelerated BSN that may open different doors for you

Niks09 · Jun 5, 2013

I am also a 2nd degree BA student in the same boat..I am waiting to see what my fin aid is going to look like!! hope I get enough...I decided against accelerate programs because don't want to stretch myself to thin (single mom of twin 4 yr old girls ) I also want to make sure that I study well and the programs have 1-11/2 yrs waiting list... I am definitely not stopping at the LPN level though...stay encouraged!

lady4life · Jun 5, 2013

@Niks09 & Esme12 I too have decided against the accelerated programs because of not wanting to stretch myself too thin. I am wanting to get my foot in the door. I am currently unemployed, and community college is my best option right now. Then after I complete the LPN hopefully go on to the RN program. I just filed out an application online at FAFSA, I am hoping to get some good news. And I will link back up with my school to see what they can do. But I will consider also taking out a private loan through Sallie Mae. I already have my first student loan through them. Wish me luck! And also, any other comments on this matter is appreciated. Thanks everyone!

nomadicpixie · Jun 6, 2013

I definitely recommend getting to FAFSA done. The FAFSA will send it to your school and hopefully get the process rolling. If at that point they say no ask them about an exception to policy. Each school I've encountered had some process of getting it approved. They may not be familiar with it if they don't encounter it too much. You are way under your limits so there is no reason that they shouldn't approve it, especially since you are already accepted into the program, not just doing pre-reqs.

jheath · Jun 6, 2013

We where told during our school orientation that if you have a bachelors degree you can not get any grant money at all but to fill out your FAFSA anyway. However you can still get student loan money as long as you haven't maxed out on your previous degree.

Niks09 · Jun 7, 2013

yep that is correct I still have about $35k left that I didn't max out from my BA..my associates I paid completely out of pocket for happy I did that now in retrospect. I take my TEAS test for the LPN program so studying awayyy hopefully I will be starting come SEPT!

Niks09 · Jun 7, 2013

I will also consider taking a private loan if I can't get the rest of the 35k I have not maxed out from my BA degree. my AA was purely out of pocket...but like you I want to get my foot in the door and then study hard do well be focused and motivated. Good luck keep us posted.

lady4life · Jun 7, 2013

Thanks! And good luck Niks09! I got an email back from FAFSA yesterday stating that my information was processed and send to the school. So hopefully, I will be getting good news. I will keep you all updated. Thanks again to all for all your helpful comments and suggestions.