Affording a Second Bachelor's

[CogNeuroGuy]

I have posted here in the past, roughly put: I have a B.A. in sociology and psychology and a M.S. in cognitive neuroscience. Collectively I have accumulated $93,212 in federal loans. This leaves me with roughly $14K to use in remaining undergraduate loans and roughly $45K is left to use aggregate-wise (undergrad + grad loans available).

With that being said, I have considered becoming an RN with the goal of being a psychiatric NP. I just moved to Ft. Lauderdale and as such will wait one year to establish my residency for tuition purposes (I have already received my FL driver's license). I live close to Broward College and pretty sure I will go there to take my pre nursing courses (A&P 1/2, Micro, Chem, Nutrition). My biggest concern will be affording the actual BSN, I have no wish to get another associate's degree, I much prefer to complete the second bachelor's so I can move onto getting a second master's as soon as possible. Nova Southeastern University is the closest program to me, but they are very expensive, my husband attends the pharmacy program there I have considered FAU as well as UM. With this being said, do these programs typically provide some type of scholarship 99% of the time? It would really suck to go through the whole process of getting my pre-reqs finished, apply and get accepted only to find that I can't afford the BSN. Remember, I have $14K to work with in remaining UNDERGRAD loans...I think Nova is just a little over $14K .

Any thoughts?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Very few ABSN programs provide scholarships. Many scholarships are for first degree possibly second (you have not only a first BA but also a masters) I've never heard of school providing scholarships 99% of the time for ANY major. Did you look at entry level masters programs? There are a few for PMHNP. This may be a more cost effective option.

I've seen schools where a BSN is $40,000-$60,000 ($10,000-$15,000 per year) but a post baccalaureate BSN/ABSN at post bac/grad tuition rates at $80,000 to 100,000 for a single year with only loans, no grants and limited scholarships.

Why not inquire at your intended schools what possibilities there are for financial aid?

[CogNeuroGuy]

Thanks for the info! I am in the process of contacting them. I have already reached out to FAU, but they told me to come to an information session. I have plans on calling up Nova tomorrow.

[Jules A, MSN]

This probably won't be what you want to hear but there is no way I'd accumulate more loans. If you really want to be a nurse I'd suggest working for a while and saving the money to pay the tuition without more loans.

[Golfer87]

Pay cash for associate degree night classes, then pay yourself back after new employment.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Do NOT accumulate anymore debt until you have paid off your current debt. It's a horrible idea to add even more to that high amount you already have, in my opinion. Best option to avoid loans is going the ADN route and paying cash. Your wallet and retirement will thank you.