Financial Aid available for online courses

medicmama921 · Apr 22, 2009

Also, is anyone on here currently getting a nursing (Associate's Degree) online? If so, could you point me in the right direction of a reputable online school that I will not still be paying for while my kids are in college? (They are in elementary school right now...) Thanks!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 22, 2009

There is no distinction between online & traditional education - the important factor is whether the school is accredited. When you enroll in an accredited program, they will have financial advisors who can guide you through the process. It involves reams of paperwork. Since you are working full time, I doubt whether you are going to qualify for much 'financial aid' other than loans. If you have existing credit problems, this will impact your ablity to get loans.

Just a quick word of warning - Try NOT to utilize private loans to finance your education. These carry a much higher interest rate and the institutions are more likely to urge you to borrow extensively.

At some point, you will have to alter your work hours to accomodate school. You will not be able to do everything online. I had 2 kids when I went from LVN to BSN by working 32h weekends, leaving M-F free for school. I didn't have a single day off for more than 2 years, but it is do-able.

medicmama921 · Apr 22, 2009

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate the advice - I have already taken some core classes years ago that will hopefully count towards my degree; however, I am unsure if the time lapse will impact this & if I will be forced to take them again. Also, I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a reputable online program so that I could at least investigate my options further about which classes are available. Is it worth it to try to take some classes online & then transfer to a program in my area? I am just trying to get some more suggestions. Thanks again!

SonicnurseRN · Apr 22, 2009

Most local area colleges & universities have online options for a large amount of coursework --- but

to start out in Nursing training those classes are strictly on campus w/ classroom attendance requirements, & many, many clinical hour requirements.

Once you have ur RN, you can find universities like University of Phoenix, or again most of your local universities will have online RN-BSN programs.

I recently graduated w/ an ADN & am looking @ Indiana Wesleyan University. They have a great RN-BSN program that's completely online & takes 20 months. This is a good option for me because, being expensive aside ... the programs seems to have a low amount of BS. You register once for ALL your classess, they deliver your textbooks automatically to your home, etc.

As for financial aid: fasfa.gov is the site to apply for federally/state funded financial aid.

Hope this info helps. That's what I found in my research

sunray12 · Apr 23, 2009

Some more ideas:

- Look at your state community college system. You may find some cc's that have online cohorts for their RN programs. This would be online lecture with onsite clinicals. If these are in driving distance from you then this might be an option. And instate tuition would make it affordable for you.

- ISU online LPN to RN-BSN. The lecture part of this program is online and you are responsible for setting up your own clinicals.

- Excelsior. This is a completely online RN program and it is not accepted in every state so check with your state board of nursing before you consider it.

There are lots of ISU Excelsior students and grads who post on the distance learning board here on all nurses. So if you go there you will be able to find lots of info.

medicmama921 · Apr 27, 2009

Thanks for the help...I'll look into all the options...

pooh54 · Apr 27, 2009

Also check the differing online course, they often have people that will help u with financial aid if you ask. Best of luck to you!