BSN programs with no pre-reqs?

Lightattheend05 · Jun 5, 2009

That would be waaaaaay to easy!!!!

caliotter3 · Jun 5, 2009

West Coast University in the Los Angeles area offers this, but are you ready to get into debt to the tune of $116,000?

nnicolee · Jun 5, 2009

You know caliotter3 I actually got off the phone with them and I was really astounded at how expensive their program was!!!!! Nursing school that costs over 100 k! WOWZERS. Yet it is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. I guess what it really comes down to is finding the money to do the program if I really want to :/ I don't know about you all but I'm really relying on my FAFSA to pay for my college idk if 100k plus in loans is worth it at this point... i mean I still have many years ahead of me to get my BSN :/

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2009

Are you trying to avoid waitlists or are you not wanting to have to rely on pre-req GPA to be accepted into the program?

If you want to avoid waitlists, then you should still consider competitive programs that require pre-reqs. For a fraction of the cost of the school you are looking into, you could not work, dedicate all your time to getting good, competitive grades AND hire a private tutor if needed.

Otherwise, you could still consider schools that have waitlists as sometimes the wait is not as long as they say. One cc in my area says the waitlist is about 3 years, but so many students take their name off the list or turn down the acceptance that time is literally cut down by half.

Stephanie K · Jun 6, 2009

from http://studentaid.ed.gov/portalswebapp/students/english/studentloans.jsp

how much can i borrow?

it depends on your year in school and whether you have a subsidized or unsubsidized direct or ffel stafford loan. a subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. if you're eligible for a subsidized loan, the government will pay (subsidize) the interest on your loan while you're in school, for the first six months after you leave school, and if you qualify to have your payments deferred. depending on your financial need, you may borrow subsidized money for an amount up to the annual loan borrowing limit for your level of study (see below).

you might be able to borrow loan funds beyond your subsidized loan amount even if you don't have demonstrated financial need. in that case, you'd receive an unsubsidized loan. your school will subtract the total amount of your other financial aid from your cost of attendance to determine whether you're eligible for an unsubsidized loan. unlike a subsidized loan, you are responsible for the interest from the time the unsubsidized loan is disbursed until it's paid in full. you can choose to pay the interest or allow it to accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). capitalizing the interest will increase the amount you have to repay.

you can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period as long as you don't exceed the annual loan limits.

if you're a dependent undergraduate student (excluding students whose parents cannot borrow plus loans), each year you can borrow up to:

$5,500 (for loans first disbursed on or after july 1, 2008) if you're a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year. no more than $3,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans.
$6,500 (for loans first disbursed on or after july 1, 2008) if you've completed your first year of study and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year. no more than $4,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans.
$7,500 (for loans first disbursed on or after july 1, 2008) if you've completed two years of study and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year. no more than $5,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans.

if you're an independent undergraduate student (and a dependent student whose parents have applied for but were unable to get a plus loan (a parent loan)), each year you can borrow up to:

$9,500 (for loans first disbursed on or after july 1, 2008) if you're a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year. no more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
$10,500 (for loans first disbursed on or after july 1, 2008) if you've completed your first year of study and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year. no more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
$12,500 (for loans first disbursed on or after july 1, 2008) if you've completed two years of study and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year. no more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

if you're a graduate or professional degree student, each year you can borrow up to:

$20,500. no more than $8,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

when you graduate with a graduate or professional degree, the maximum total debt allowed from stafford loans is $138,500. no more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. this maximum total graduate debt limit includes stafford loans received for undergraduate study. however, the aggregate loan limit for graduate and professional students enrolled in certain approved health profession programs is $224,000.

these amounts are the maximum yearly amounts you can borrow in both subsidized and unsubsidized ffels or direct loans, individually or in combination. because you can't borrow more than your cost of attendance minus the amount of any federal pell grant you're eligible for and minus any other financial aid you'll get, you may receive less than the annual maximum amounts.

you can try to get scholarships and grants based on your merit and financial need as well...

nnicolee · Jun 6, 2009

Are you trying to avoid waitlists or are you not wanting to have to rely on pre-req GPA to be accepted into the program?
If you want to avoid waitlists, then you should still consider competitive programs that require pre-reqs. For a fraction of the cost of the school you are looking into, you could not work, dedicate all your time to getting good, competitive grades AND hire a private tutor if needed.
Otherwise, you could still consider schools that have waitlists as sometimes the wait is not as long as they say. One cc in my area says the waitlist is about 3 years, but so many students take their name off the list or turn down the acceptance that time is literally cut down by half.

tfleuter I honestly am just trying to avoid waitlists completely. That's my reason for wanting to choose the more expensive program because I know I'm guaranteed a spot (based upon the results of my HESI). I'm not really worried about GPA since I've been a pretty good student my whole life, know how to juggle my life/school and also NEVER procrastinate (which helps A LOT i must say).

I was looking into other competitive programs like Washington U and out of state programs (I live in AZ btw) but it seems like when you try and take some courses for one school other schools don't accept those pre-reqs and you basically wasted time taking a course. Does that make sense? I don't want to waste time taking a course if I'm not really sure about admission ....

btw thanks for much for that info Stephanie K, I honestly have NO clue about financial loans, grants, etc. All I really know is from what I've read online (which isn't much). From the looks of it, there's honestly NO way I could afford this program... lol I guess I'm living in a dream world

caliotter3 · Jun 6, 2009

I would suggest you look into this new program, advertised on here a lot: http://www.wgu.edu. You will need, as a minimum a CNA certificate. At the present time, you have to have completed transfer credits for the general ed type stuff, such as A&P or Micro, before you can start the clinical portion. You could do the general ed stuff at your local community college while living at home. Clinicals will be starting in July and again in January for those who already have the other stuff done. Check out the website and talk to an advisor. This is reasonable in cost: $4250 every six months while you are doing the clinicals. They now have clinical sites at five different hospitals in sourthern Cali. Worth a look.

nnicolee · Jun 6, 2009

I would suggest you look into this new program, advertised on here a lot: www.wgu.edu. You will need, as a minimum a CNA certificate. At the present time, you have to have completed transfer credits for the general ed type stuff, such as A&P or Micro, before you can start the clinical portion. You could do the general ed stuff at your local community college while living at home. Clinicals will be starting in July and again in January for those who already have the other stuff done. Check out the website and talk to an advisor. This is reasonable in cost: $4250 every six months while you are doing the clinicals. They now have clinical sites at five different hospitals in sourthern Cali. Worth a look.

I see that is says for BSN pre-licensure that you need

To be admitted into this pilot program, you will need to adhere to the following admissions requirements:

Must possess an associate's or bachelor's degree and have completed all the specific admissions requirements in the following areas of study:

Does that mean I couldn't apply if I've NEVER received a bachelor's or associates??

caliotter3 · Jun 6, 2009

I see that is says for BSN pre-licensure that you need
To be admitted into this pilot program, you will need to adhere to the following admissions requirements:
Must possess an associate's or bachelor's degree and have completed all the specific admissions requirements in the following areas of study:
Does that mean I couldn't apply if I've NEVER received a bachelor's or associates??

I talked to an advisor and my understanding is that an associates or bachelor's degree would give you the credits they are looking for. I can't see why you can't get admitted as long as you have the courses, with or without the degree. They are also looking for healthcare experience, yet on the website they state something like, "or CNA certificate or training". Talk to an advisor and get them to clarify this for you.

nnicolee · Jun 6, 2009

I talked to an advisor and my understanding is that an associates or bachelor's degree would give you the credits they are looking for. I can't see why you can't get admitted as long as you have the courses, with or without the degree. They are also looking for healthcare experience, yet on the website they state something like, "or CNA certificate or training". Talk to an advisor and get them to clarify this for you.

Okay, I will do that on Monday! Thank you for recommending their program! :)

caliotter3 · Jun 6, 2009

Yes, I got the distinct impression that they were looking for course completion and not a degree per se. I didn't go into it further because I do have a degree and it didn't apply to me.