WGU & Financial Aid

[ReggaeRN]

Hello! I am in the admission process (I guess) for WGU's RN to MSN-Education program. I have requested my transcripts from former schools, done my FAFSA, passed the Readiness Assessment stuff, and all that jazz.

Now I'm panicking because I don't know how financial aid works. When I did my ADN, the community college was inexpensive, and between my parents and I, it was paid for without loans (didn't qualify for any assistance other than being a student worker). Now, I work and am wanting to go back to school and this I will have to handle on my own.

I basically don't qualify for anything. I live with my boyfriend, and he has children that I care for, but they are obviously not my dependants. I work full time at the local hospital, make decent money for the area, and according to my FAFSA earlier this year when I had applied to a local state university, my EFC was 16077. (My initial thought was what the heck does that mean, that I can shell out $16,077 cash a year toward school!?) Again, I make "decent" money, but I can't afford to pay monthly payments for school at this time. In other words, I will need a loan!

Have you WGU students found luck with federal loans (Stafford)? Or how does financial aid work at WGU? Just kind of paranoid because all my ducks are in a row, but if I can't get school paid for with loans, then I can't go.

Help please! :) Thanks in advance!!!

ReggaeRN

[SweettartRN]

Yes!

WGU is fully funded by student loans, and you should have no problem so long as you have submitted your FAFSA. Good luck.

[ReggaeRN]

Thank God! My FAFSA is done, I even did the entrance loan counseling and stuff on the Student Aid site. That gives me some relief... It's the holiday weekend so I forgot I have to wait til Tuesday to talk to someone. And I guess that means my other schools might lag getting my transcripts sent too. Oh well. Thank you so much!!

[BetterMeRN]

ReggaeRN, I took out loans to pay for my other undergrad degree and will be doing the same for this degree. You will have no problem getting a loan, it's no big deal you just need to know that you have to start paying once your done with school or drop below half-time status. I too have an EFC with a huge number, I'll PM you my personal problem I have with the financial aid part.

I can't wait to get started, I'm just waiting to see how many courses I have to take. As soon as I get the green light, I'm jumping right in. Good luck to you.

[ReggaeRN]

Hey BetterMeRN, wondering what the problem was you had with financial aid? You can PM me or email me at [email protected] - I'm a little curious as this is very new to me. Thanks!

[BetterMeRN]

Thank you for responding! Shortly after my financial aid problem was resolved, I'm taking out a loan to pay for my education and my employer reimburses. I have an appt with one of the WGU staff today to discuss the program in detail.

I'm going back and forth between WGU and Chamberlain College of Nursing. I'm weighing them both but the biggest drawback on CCN is the cost. I already have loans to repay from my prior degrees, I really didn't want to incur anymore.