Financing the whole thing

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 9, 2008

That's what student loans are for. Have you met with the financial aid office yet? You would probably qualify for government-subsidized loans. Who knows, there might even be some scholarships you could apply for.

Kensington · Jan 9, 2008

I'm lost when it comes to financing the master's entry program I've been accepted to. I haven't made more than $20,000 since graduating college, and now I have to come up with $50,000 in just a few months. Any advice? Do you know someone who is in grad school who has done it?

May I ask which direct-entry program you will be attending?

Most good schools should have a financial aid office who knows all the tricks. Often, government loans will max out before you need it to, and so you'll have to look to private loans. Your school should definitely help you with this process. Don't worry, the money will come!

Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN · Jan 15, 2008

Stafford loans are available to everyone and can cover I think 20K per year. Grad students are now eligible for the PLUS loan to cover whatever remaining school/living expenses your school figures you need.

shah · Jan 21, 2008

Find an employer who would reimburse tuition.

Memorial Hermann system in Houston will give up to $7000 per semester to full-time employees. You will only need to find a manager who will work with your schedule.

$50000 at one go seems to be a little high, though. What school are you going with?

Can you go part-time?

nebbiolo · Jan 23, 2008

I'm lost when it comes to financing the master's entry program I've been accepted to. I haven't made more than $20,000 since graduating college, and now I have to come up with $50,000 in just a few months. Any advice? Do you know someone who is in grad school who has done it?

UGH - I am dreading the financing aspect as well. Loans are the solution apparently...

I'm curious to know if there are any career changers out there like me who had a semi-decent salary prior to enrolling and got shafted in the financial aid for their first year for a full time program? How did you do it? Don't they take into consideration that you WON'T be working while in school full time? The EFC I got from FAFSA is totally ridiculous, couldn't pay it even if I were working full time while in school...hate that they have to consider your prior year's income...

JerseyGir1 · Jan 23, 2008

Not quite the same situation but I have some FAFSA complaints of my own. First of all, they make you jump through hoops to declare yourself an independent student (if you're under 24, which I am). I will have a bachelors degree by the time I start my second degree BSN/MSN program, but I am still considered an undergraduate student for the BSN portion. If I were in a typical graduate program, I could declare myself independent. Since I can't do that, I have to file with my parents' information --- talk about ridiculous EFC!!!! That said, I'm forced to look into private loans... with like >10% APRs!!

Has anyone found low interest student loans from PRIVATE lenders? (As the government will be of no help to me!) I'd appreciate any info!

Selke · Jan 24, 2008

UGH - I am dreading the financing aspect as well. Loans are the solution apparently...
I'm curious to know if there are any career changers out there like me who had a semi-decent salary prior to enrolling and got shafted in the financial aid for their first year for a full time program? How did you do it? Don't they take into consideration that you WON'T be working while in school full time? The EFC I got from FAFSA is totally ridiculous, couldn't pay it even if I were working full time while in school...hate that they have to consider your prior year's income...

Yes! I had a good salary as staff nurse in the highest paying part of the country, northern CA. And no, the school won't take into consideration that you don't have savings, that you won't be making anything near what you used to make. They won't care, actually. They won't care that you might have kids you had been helping through college, family obligations, things like that. They'll just give your spot to someone else if you can't afford it. So I am now in the cheapest program I could find and have to work FT and am saving up money to live on during my clinicals. It's taking me alot longer than it should simply because I can't get additional loan money and I have to work so much -- I can just get Stafford loans. If I had a cosigner I could get those Grad Plus loans and private loan money. If you have the option of applying for NHSC scholarship money before starting your program, I highly advise that. Good luck.