Financial Aid Question--Nursing as 2nd Degree

[Adams_Mommy_07]

I already have a bachelor's degree and I was wondering if anybody knew about the financial aid that is available to me for a SECOND BACHERLOR'S? From what I understand I am eligible AS LONG AS I indicate a major on my application--and only for federal loans--not grants. But there are things that are not clear on the FAFSA website:

1. Do I have to be enrolled full-time, or does the standard of part-time still apply even for a second baccalaureate?

2. Since I will be an independent student by virtue of my age (24 next year :)) is the requirement of full-time any different?

I would prefer to finish my pre-reqs out at the university under half-time so I can work and save money so I don't have to work while in Nursing school. I just don't want to be denied money if I claim part-time and for some reason I am not eligible because I am not a full-time student.

[silverbells_star]

I am working on my second bachelor's and have had no trouble getting financial aid. I did all my prereqs part time and still qualified for loans. I did need to keep the minimum number of hours to put my current loans on deferment. I've heard that it is possible to reach the maximum amount of loan money available, which makes me nervous, but we'll just have to deal with that if it comes up. I don't know what the cap is though. Hope that helps.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

It will partially depend on how part-time you are. Most student loans are available to students taking 6 semester credits (half-time) or more. Stafford loans are not available to those enrolled in less than half-time.

Good luck with your plans.

[MB37]

And unless it's gone up in the last year or so, the maximum total loan cap for all your bachelors' studies was $46K. I was technically part time one semester (nursing credit hours were weird at my school) and I always got my loans just fine.

[Adams_Mommy_07]

I read on here about credit hour caps? Is this true? I have 142 hours from my B.A. and after completing my pre-reqs at the community college I will have 28 more, so that is 160. Will I be in danger of not getting financial aid for the BSN program because I have so many credit hours?