Financial Aid for Nursing School

jenpstudentrn · Jun 30, 2005

Hi Randee,

welcome to the site!

I'd go back to your financial aid office- try to make an appointment with the director or assistant director of financial aid. (This has worked for me in the past.) Maybe there is something thay can do- I mean if they expect you not to work- and only give you enough aid to cover tuition- how do they expect you to eat? Ridiculous. Reminds me of difficulties that I have had with with my own aid. It does seem like it should be an easier process for those of us who are good students and have financial need.

Try to see also if there are any scholarships through the school that they can offer you as well- sorry not to have more advice! Good luck to you though, and I hope it works out!

-Jennifer

happydz · Jul 1, 2005

Bank One has an educationone loan. All you need is proof that you are enrolled in the school by showing a class schedule or an acceptance letter. It's a simple process that is done over the phone or online. I've heard people say good things about it.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 1, 2005

Hey everyone,
I am new to this site, but figured it can only help to become a part of the great nursing community by asking some questions while in school. I am currently in an Accelerated Nursing Program in NJ and am completely stressed out! It began May 16 and we are already finished with 4 classes.
Anyway, on a side note, I have a question regarding financial aid. I filled out FAFSA, got minimal subsidized/unsibsidized loans for the semesters, and got supplemental money from Sallie Mae Signature loan to cover the rest of the tuition. (Summer ALONE is $14,000). Since it's accelerated, and mucho expensive, I need to figure out how to get extra money to live on throughout the year. I was assured by Sallie Mae that students can take out up to $100K, but my financial aid office claims otherwise. Apparently, loans need to be CERTIFIED by your school's financial aid office. When that happens, the government has a say on how much a student can really take out. This is the problem I am running into with every new loan I find online. The other problem is being unemployed right now. We can not work while in this accelerated program, and yet it's difficult to get loans without a job.
Does anyone have any valuable insight? One would think with the current nursing shortage that the government or schools would make it easier for students to fund their own education. And especially true with only having select schools offer accelerated programs. I did apply for a state program, but didn't get in. If I did, that would have been much much cheaper. And yet with this particular private program, 300 applied and only 30 got in-but it's about $14K per semester for 3 semesters.
Thanks!
Randee

I am in NY but I am using a program funded by (I think) the NYS Dept of Labor. They pay tuition, books and supplies up to 4K for nursing students per year, with the only payback being a committment to working as a nurse full-time for about a year after graduation. They call it "WIA funding". I am not sure if NJ has anything like it, but its worthwhile to look into it. The only qualification other than actually going to school is that you have to make less than $13/hour while in school, and they don't count your spouse's income. I hope you can find something like this in NJ!

randeerose · Jul 10, 2005

Thanks for the information...

I "hired" my mom who lives in another state to do this legwork for me since I am in class ALL THE TIME and studying ALL THE TIME. I can't believe that they make it this difficult to get money. And yet the school offers an accelerated nursing program where you can't work. Catch 22 (isn't that how life always is?)

We checked out the BankOne/Chase EducationOne loan and they have a % origination fee. I'm taking out so much money as is, and they decide to take another $2000 and apply it to my ridiculous loan amount. I guess this country loves to place people in further debt than they already need to be. If you're not using a credit card, take out a loan with a ridiculous origination fee :angryfire

Thanks all!

I've got bigger things to worry about now. Just learned how to draw up parenteral medications and am nervous as heck about actually sticking someone with it!

prinzessdy · Jul 12, 2005

sallie mae also has another loan (besides the signature loan) called the tuition answer loan were the loan comes directly to you and does not have to go through the school. I think you can take out up to 140,000 a year. the website is tuitionanswer.com or go to the sallie mae website and click on that loan and it will tell you more about it.