FAFSA Financial Aid application questions!

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Hi all,

I'm applying to direct entry NP programs and am confused about FAFSA financial aid applications.

Does anyone know if I can submit one version of the FAFSA to one school and another version to a different school? Some of the direct entry nursing schools I am applying to are considered undergrad for the first portion [uPenn] while others are considered graduate school (masters level) [Yale]. Thus, I would need to answer some questions differently depending on the school, but I can only respond with one answer on the form.

Is the FAFSA only for need-based scholarship and loans, or also for merit-based scholarships? Or are merit-based scholarships/awards not based on info submitted on FAFSA?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

FAFSA is federal grants and loans. The responses shouldn't be that different if you already have a bachelor's degree. The school determines aid. There are no federal grants after first bachelor's. Many schools based scholarships & grants (such as alumni or trustee grants) financial eligibility based upon the FAFSA data.

What questions do you need to answer differently? You'd still be a 5th year/post-1st bac student, your income & dependency status won't change. Housing & degree status you enter by school.

It's generally one form submitted with results released to all schools indicated. The school will know to apply post-bac 2nd degree or graduate level funding formulas to your situation and creating the financial aid package.

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I questions I thought I'd need to answer differently are:

"What will your grade level be when you begin the 2016-2017 school year?" If the school awards a BSN (i.e. UPenn) wouldn't I put "Attended college before/1st yr. undergrad"? Versus if they don't award a BSN and just award a masters degree (i.e. Yale's GEPN program) wouldn't I put "1st year graduate"? Are you saying that I should put "5th year undergrad" for all schools?

The question "What degree or certificate will you be working on when you begin the 2016-2017 school year?". Isn't UPenn's program is considered a "2nd bachelor's degree", while Yale's program is considered a "Graduate/Professional Degree"?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You aren't a first year undergrad if you already have a bachelor's in another discipline. Check with UPenn but when I helped someone apply for a similar situation it as first year graduate for 2nd bac degrees as you are no longer an undergrad and 2nd bac is often charged graduate level tuition.

The degree working on is a 2nd bac while the other is a master's. Check with Yale as the first may be considered 2nd bac. The school can adjust that info. Generally more aid is available for first masters than second bachelor's but not always. You can always call the FA office and ask.

As far as school based scholarships most use FAFSA and may have a specific in house application (details required for the award) for school based scholarships.

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Ohh okay, so it's possible to put both "1st yr graduate/professional" for "What will your grade level be when you begin the 2016-2017 school year?" and "2nd bachelor's degree" for "What degree or certificate will you be working on when you begin the 2016-2017 school year?" I had thought that sounded contradictory because if I indicate it's a 2nd bachelor's then it can't be a graduate program.

Thanks so much for your help!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's not undergrad anymore. But the FA office at the schools should be able to assist

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