Need a loan but already have a BA in Comm

Halla17 · Apr 14, 2009

That's a very good question! I'm in the same situation as you...graduating in 5 weeks (May) with a Bachelors in Communication and going on to do more school for Nursing and am probably going to need to get a loan for school. Hopefully someone can answer you question! It would help me out also. Good luck to you!

Cilantrophobe · Apr 14, 2009

I don't think you will hear anything for a couple of months. Last year I got information late June early July from my school about everything I qualified for. Ask your school when they expect to send out information.

BeeJayCeeYa · Apr 14, 2009

I wonder why you were told you won't get a student loan if you have a bachelors? Is it possible the woman at NWCC was referring to a Pell Grant and not a Stafford Loan? I have a bachelors degree and am currently qualified for a Stafford Loan, having taken the full subsidized amount for my first year of pre-reqs. I know that I don't qualify for govt. grants but do most definitely do qualify for subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans.

yelnikmcwawa · Apr 14, 2009

As the above poster said, you can't get a Pell Grant, but student loans should not be a problem at all. I have a BA and have already been granted over

$20,000 in loans for my 1st 2 semesters. I, of course, will not accept all of that...but it was offered to me.

One problem, however, is getting loans while you are doing pre-reqs. For student loans in general, you need to have a declared degree major and be accepted by the college into that program to be able to get loans. So most people are not able to get a loan while taking only pre-requisite courses. Some colleges might have "pre-nursing" programs that might qualify for loans, but my community college did not.

Your best bet is to call the financial aid departments at your schools. Good luck!

caliotter3 · Apr 14, 2009

More than worrying about your financial aid, you should worry about being able to enter a program. My former school will not accept students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Some schools are denying entrance to second degree seekers as a result of too many applicants.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2009

It may depend on the program. I have a BA and a loan for nursing school. There was no problem at all. Granted, my BA is 30 years old, but I don't know if that matters.

sunray12 · Apr 14, 2009

I'm hoping that someone out there will read this and offer me some useful advice. I am currently a senior at UConn and will be graduating in May with a Bachelor's in Communication. I decided that I would like to pursue a career in nursing instead. I am already registered and admitted to a Community College in CT. However, I am getting mixed answers as to wether or not I can get a student loan. I have not maxed out the $46,000 limit for undergraduate loans. I only need about $9000 to get me through prerequisites at NWCC and then the remaining for the nursing program to get an associates in Nursing. I am very stressed out and don't know where to go next. I filled out FASA online and haven't heard anything back but I spoke with a woman at NWCC today and she said there is no way I will get a student loan if I already have a bachelors. Please help... I don't want to give up on my dream.
-Paige:cry:

She misinformed you. You should be eligible for student loans unless you are maxed out, in default, have outstanding debt with the feds, or convicted of a drug related felony.

- You can check your fafsa online. When it's processed you'll know what your eligibility is.

- You need to declare a major in order to get financial aid - i.e. you can't just be taking prereqs as a transient student.

CorazonDeOro · Apr 15, 2009

I'm hoping that someone out there will read this and offer me some useful advice. I am currently a senior at UConn and will be graduating in May with a Bachelor's in Communication. I decided that I would like to pursue a career in nursing instead. I am already registered and admitted to a Community College in CT. However, I am getting mixed answers as to wether or not I can get a student loan. I have not maxed out the $46,000 limit for undergraduate loans. I only need about $9000 to get me through prerequisites at NWCC and then the remaining for the nursing program to get an associates in Nursing. I am very stressed out and don't know where to go next. I filled out FASA online and haven't heard anything back but I spoke with a woman at NWCC today and she said there is no way I will get a student loan if I already have a bachelors. Please help... I don't want to give up on my dream.
-Paige:cry:

I am in the exact same boat as you! Good to know there are a few of us! I just filled out my FAFSA and I am waiting to hear, but from what I have heard, you are no longer eligible for grants but you are eligible for loans. My Community College has decided to place much lower limits on students than the government does, they are capping loans at $14,000 total from all schools, so maybe your school is doing the same? Its really unfair and I am not happy about it because if I was at a university I would be eligible for much more (since I only borrowed 10,000 for my BA). Also, at my school and many others you may get denied at first because you have "too many credit hours" but there is a form (at my school its called "satisfactory progress appeal") where you have to explain why you have so many college credits and are still degree seeking. I would say tot alk to your school's Financial Aid office but if they are giving you incorrect info, maybe go elsewhere? You should be able to get a loan no matter what.

gibson0726 · Apr 15, 2009

I got my BS 10 years ago and was told I was not eligible for any subsidized/unsubsidized loans because I am enrolled in a community college nursing program. I filled out the FAFSA and was denied loans/grants due to having a bachelor's degree. I think it may have been different if I were pursuing a BSN at a 4 year university.

I wound up taking out a ridiculously high interest rate private loan, but I didn't have any other option.The financial aide office told me that I could fill out an appeal, and if approved, would cover tuition costs only. I needed money to live and pay bills! Tuition was the least of my worries since it only costs me $550/semester.

Don't give up on your dream! I have loved almost every minute of nursing school.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 15, 2009

As the above poster said, you can't get a Pell Grant, but student loans should not be a problem at all. I have a BA and have already been granted over
$20,000 in loans for my 1st 2 semesters. I, of course, will not accept all of that...but it was offered to me.
One problem, however, is getting loans while you are doing pre-reqs. For student loans in general, you need to have a declared degree major and be accepted by the college into that program to be able to get loans. So most people are not able to get a loan while taking only pre-requisite courses. Some colleges might have "pre-nursing" programs that might qualify for loans, but my community college did not.
Your best bet is to call the financial aid departments at your schools. Good luck!

I got loans for my first year of pre reqs, our school had where you can claim a nursing major or intent for it or whatever and they classified you as that so you could loans. My old college and new college do that.

NPNICO · Apr 15, 2009

Yes, Isn't it crazy??? I was told the same thing too for a second Bachelors. So, I decided to go for the Masters program. And now,upon graduation, I will owe about $150,000 for an NP degree. The government should lift that restriction as soon as possible.