Columbia BSN/MSN ETP 2014

abbyf · Feb 10, 2014

Hey shomir, they emailed me back. We the graduating seniors are given a grace period. Just submit your official transcript with degree conferral when it becomes available.

Did anyone read the email from financial aid office? The tuition last year was $77320. I don't think I can afford it. *sigh

droux · Feb 11, 2014

Yes I read that financial aid email, also and it was intimidating. But Columbia has quite generous financial aid... all sorts of grants, loans, scholarships, work study, etc. So I would take that high $$ figure with a grain of salt. Don't panic till they send you the official financial aid award that's tailored to your finances. You could be awarded 50% scholarship, then all the sudden, it's quite manageable :)

Cherrierri · Feb 11, 2014

Did anyone read the email from financial aid office? The tuition last year was $77320. I don't think I can afford it. *sigh

I'm also freaking out about the cost!! Together with the tuition, fees & books etc. and living expenses, we're looking at over 100 grand for the 1st year alone! And they estimate the whole program to be roughly a quarter of a million?? Who has that kind of money?!?

ariahealingarts · Feb 11, 2014

How much is the tuition for the graduate portion? Where did they estimate the whole program to be 250k?!!! That is quite astounding. is that just tuition or their estimate for tuition, cost of living and fees?

I am also quite intimidated, but I am waiting to see what financial aid offers. I though CU tuition was comparative to other programs--Vandy, MGH, JHU...is the extra cost because the COL in NY is so high? I really want to attend this program, but 250k is outrageous. I would be willing to consider maybe half of that in loans if it was mostly federal aid....

@ Droux-- do they really give that much in scholarships? That is very hopeful :)

don't despair yet dear friends--think positive, consider your goals and dreams, what you really want for your future. Research funding options. Wait for the aid packages to come and manifest abundance in the meantime!!

We will all know what feels right :)

futureeastcoastNP · Feb 11, 2014

I think they give most students a scholarship during the BSN portion. it's like $20k. There are others but I think it requires that you have a low efc.

correr82 · Feb 11, 2014

Hi Everyone I have been following the forum but not very active so far. Congrats to everyone admitted to the ETP program!! What an exciting accomplishment.

Thank you all so much for bringing up the financial aspect, it is incredibly intimidating!! I was wondering if the estimated 27,000 for the first year in additional expenses were additional school expenses alone. I can't imagine that also included anything with regards to living expenses in NYC?

@ ariahealingarts *manifesting abundance*

ariahealingarts · Feb 11, 2014

From the way it was written, it sounds like they are estimating 27k for books, supplies and living expenses--anything not covered by tuition. So about 104k estimate for the first year....

CNMhopeful · Feb 11, 2014

From here Columbia University School of Nursing - Specialties & Sub-Specialties you can click on your specialty and see a "sample program plan" with the number of credit hours you'll need to graduate from the MS portion. My specialty's sample plan has 54 credits. Graduate tuition this year is $1,286 per credit (which is bound to go up). For me, this is about $70,000 in tuition alone for the MS over 2 years. So the cost does substantially go down after the first year of intensive BS coursework BUT do I really want to pay over $100,000 to become an RN? My mom just got her BSN AND her MSN (she was a community college educated RN for 10 years) for basically free with the hospital she works for covering almost all the costs.

correr82 · Feb 11, 2014

Well that's a relief that the 100,000 estimate INCLUDES cost of living. Someone from last years forum wrote:

As for Columbia being "worth it." Education from Columbia is what you make of it. Something that I've said to a lot of people, is how Columbia is like having the best damn Toolbox money can buy... it all just depends on how you use it.

Obviously it is a personal decision, but I appreciated this perspective.

ariahealingarts · Feb 11, 2014

In a lot of ways I think it comes down to timing--If i were younger, I would consider taking the longer, less expensive route. At this point in my life, the accelerated 2 1/2 year program is something I am really considering (even with the expense) because of how much quicker it will allow me to get on with my life and into the profession I feel so passionate about. I am in a place where I have a lot of independence, where I could go to school for a few years and then have a family (and still be under forty.) If I were to take the financially "safer" route, it would be many years before I finished my MSN degree. Time is money. That doesn't mean it still isn't totally terrifying to take out that much $$ in loans, but there are good loan repayment programs (for federal loans.) The thing that scares me the most is taking out private loans. I want to take as little out in private loans as necessary. Once we are in the grad year, loans can be all federal, so it is really figuring out how to fill in the financial gap for that 1st year....

correr82 · Feb 11, 2014

@ ariahealingarts, I am totally with you.

Also consider hidden expenses such as the salary differential you will be making after you graduate from a 2.5 year program versus the longer route. Since you will likely be making a much higher salary after grad school than before, this is an advantage of paying the high price tag up front.

CNMhopeful · Feb 11, 2014

I agree with you guys about the faster route. I don't know how old you guys are but I'm a 27 F and I want to finish school, settle down, buy a house and maybe have some kids. However, I wonder if I have to take out $50-$70,000 in private loans for the first year, will that preclude me from being able to move on with my life after graduating the way I want to? Will this investment in school mean that I can't afford to invest in other things, like buying a home or starting my own practice -because I'll be a slave to my loans? Then is the two years I save in time still worth the money?