Columbia BSN/MSN ETP 2014

correr82 · Feb 11, 2014

I actually should have mentioned that I feel that I have some time on my side (26 this year) but I do view this as a second career and am eager to get started. I agree with you both about taking private loans - I am hoping to take out as little as possible.

@CNMhopeful - were you admitted already to a regular accelerated nursing program? In my mind to do the longer route, you would have to apply this year, wait until next year to start, take a few years off to work, and then apply for NP?

theordinarydays · Feb 11, 2014

I am freaking out about $ too. Arihealingarts I hope you are right about loans being all federal once we get to grad years, but according to my (limited) research it doesn't seem like it. The cap for our 5th year undergrad/ETP year is $12,500 and for graduate is $20,500 according to the financial aid org website. I think if I end up going to Columbia I would be banking on taking that year off after ETP, but even that is uncertain since it would be hard to find a job as an RN with no experience...sigh*

CNMhopeful that's what I wonder too...if I will ever be able to get out of the hole with all the upcoming expenses (house, kids, their college tuition, car payment) and after working so hard it would be nice if I had money for a vacation here and there I don't think that's unreasonable of me to want! I am just waiting for the moment of truth (financial aid pckg)

ariahealingarts · Feb 11, 2014

I am freaking out about $ too. Arihealingarts I hope you are right about loans being all federal once we get to grad years, but according to my (limited) research it doesn't seem like it. The cap for our 5th year undergrad/ETP year is $12,500 and for graduate is $20,500 according to the financial aid org website. I think if I end up going to Columbia I would be banking on taking that year off after ETP, but even that is uncertain since it would be hard to find a job as an RN with no experience...sigh*
CNMhopeful that's what I wonder too...if I will ever be able to get out of the hole with all the upcoming expenses (house, kids, their college tuition, car payment) and after working so hard it would be nice if I had money for a vacation here and there I don't think that's unreasonable of me to want! I am just waiting for the moment of truth (financial aid pckg)

In the grad year we are eligible for 20,500 in stafford loans. after that you can apply for federal grad PLUS loans (credit worthy) to cover the rest. Grad PLUS loans do not have a cap, so you take out as much as you want depending on how you qualify. I still need to research if the grad PLUS loans are eligible for loan repayment programs. I would still count on taking out as little as possible on any loan, ESPECIALLY private loans.

@ CNM Hopeful--- IMO I would not take out 50-70k in private loans, and I would hope you would not have to do that.

$$$ is a very personal issue. I am 33yrs old. If i was still in my mid to late 20s I would consider going the longer route...then again, you will have more time to pay off loans, get experience, have a family...

The rule of thumb is to not take out more in loans that you will make your first year out of school--most of us are probably looking at making 70-90k first year out after we graduate. If we get lower paying jobs 60-70k with a loan repayment program (up to 25k a year) we are still looking at 85-95k...i would not take out 200k in loans. that would be about $2000 a month in just loan payments....

Lets all do the research and share what we find. It can be practice for dividing up lecture and reading notes :)

CNMhopeful · Feb 11, 2014

@correr82 That's a good point, no I haven't been accepted and for the love of god I cannot work these bullsh*t jobs anymore. I'm even still bartending to make ends meet. I want to get started ASAP.

@theordinarydays Word. Time to be patient (again!!!) I suppose. Although I will say after I submitted my FAFSA both as a graduate and undergrad, those figures are the exact numbers I got for my Direct Stafford Loan Estimates ($12,500 for undergrad and $20,500 for grad). However I know from experience with taking out Federal loans that those are not the only kinds of federal loans that exist - not sure if we are eligible for the other kinds though.

cpolsky · Feb 11, 2014

Hey I’m in for Nurse Anesthesia! Anyone else accepted for that?! I’m so excited and I’m still in disbelief that I was accepted!!!

correr82 · Feb 11, 2014

Did anyone do their first FASFA as a graduate before going back to edit? My direct Stafford loan estimate was cut in half when changing it to 5th year's bachelors. Is that to be expected?

CNMhopeful · Feb 11, 2014

@cpolsky Congrats! Most people are at https://www.facebook.com/groups/707409775966390/ if you wanna check it out.

@correr82 yes, same thing happened to me.

correr82 · Feb 11, 2014

Bummer, thank you for letting me know that's normal. :)

** I see the few posts above where that is already discussed**

michelle925 · Feb 11, 2014

Hi everybody! Congratulations on your acceptance!

It seems there is a lot of concern about how to finance our Columbia education and living in NYC, I am slightly freaking out about it myself. I wanted to open up a dialogue on what routes people are taking for financial aid- FAFSA, grants, scholarships etc.- what is working/what isn't. I have only gotten as far as filling out my FAFSA and waiting for my financial aid package...

It would be great to have some input from current students @SFpnponc @ColumbiauniFNP @ARickli

Where there is a will there is a way!

sweet03nesy · Feb 11, 2014

Hey everybody!

I am currently on the wait list but I am still very hopeful to get a spot. I was wondering if there was any new information from the accepted students? Recommended books/reading? I understand the first day of classes is May 28th. When would orientation be? I would really appreciate any info to stay informed in case I do get accepted. I am praying and checking my email everyday! Thanks everybody for such a great forum.

SFpnponc · Feb 11, 2014

hi everyone and congrats! this is such an exciting time for you guys and girls. I just joined your Fb group @michelle925. I will be more than happy to give you guys an insight there.

mentalhealthadvocate · 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....

Amen. I hope there are plenty of us "older folks" in the program. I'm trying to get this done and my career started and family going before 40! I'm 32 so...