Duke ABSN loans? Should I even apply?

Hi mom,

You applied for the Spring 2010 class too? That'd be exciting if you got accepted and we ended up in the same class, small world!

I'd have to say that it was maybe a month or so after my interview that I found out of an acceptance status. My situation is a little bit different. The first time I applied was for Fall 2008, however I was waitlisted and unfortunately they never made it to my name. I then applied for the second time back in December for the Fall 2009 class and was originally not accepted, then a month later they said they had room on the waitlist if I wanted to be added. At this point I found out I would be having major knee surgery and would've never been able to attend even if I was accepted, so I declined to be waitlisted for Fall 2009 but they said they would keep my application open for Spring 2010. I found out May 21st that I was accepted into the Spring 2010 class, and I was absolutely thrilled beyond belief! I have applied to other schools both times in hopes that more applications would give me a chance of getting accepted somewhere, but Duke was always number one on my list.

I also have private and federal loans from my previous bachelor's degree, and I have to be honest, my private interest rate right now is even lower than my federal rate. I was just trying to figure out if it's even worth applying for their scholarship? I'd only even be eligible for the need-based one, and having the chance of obtaining up to $7500 for the entire 16 months just sounds like so little (although I do know free money is free money).

I HIGHLY recommend that you apply for any federal loans you can get. They have very merciful pay-back terms, which can be adjusted depending on your circumstances, such as: lost a job, went back to school for another degree, got pregnant, got a low-paying job, became disabled, etc.

If you get a private loan, I think the payback terms are probably very inflexible, with little concern for your circumstances.

In reality, you'll probably need both federal loans and private loans, but GRAB all the fed help you can get.

Deneb

PS as to scholarships, I went in naively assuming I'd be eligible for all kinds of scholarships--had the grades, the unusual circumstances, the accomplishments. Didn't get a penny anywhere, and I spend a solid month doing boooring essays. If you're a left-handed, cross-eyed, descendant of Comanches with a father in the steelworker's union and Mom in DAR, go for it. Otherwise . . . ?

Thanks for the information, Deneb. I agree with the whole scholarship aspect. You really do have to be a one in a million unique individual with a rediculous background/requirements in order to gain a penny. It's really sad that it is based more on the aspects we can't control over teh ones we can: the grades, the accomplishments, etc. I guess I will just apply for the federal loans and seew what I can get, and then apply for private loans for the rest like I did with my other degree.

DUSON's in-house scholarships are definitely worth applying for--not a waste of time at all!

Thanks, David. I never heard of anyone in my class who had one, but people tend to be close-mouthed about this. Can't hurt to try. I was actually speaking about general scholarships that you hear about online, from guidance counselors, etc. Those tend to require an awful lot of effort for a pretty small return--$1000-2000 is chicken feed, given a private school's tuition--and it's very long odds that you'll get one.

Seems to me the country should be financing loans for all qualified applicants. When it's a lottery where a few win and the many lose, then we all lose in the end. An investment in student talent pays off for the country, too. (Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.)

Wow! Is it in the form of a 3 year post-grad contact @ Duke Hospital?

Hello,
I applied to the Fall 2010 ABSN program and am waitlisted, so hopefully I will get in! My question is how do I apply for loans (are they through Duke?) I am wondering what life was like in NC, I am from AZ so it would be quite a change. I have been struggling to decide so any advice or info would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

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