Financial Aid

[scarykarrey]

I think I need a reality check, to let me know whether my expectations are appropriate or too high.

I've applied to three NP programs: I was wait-listed at one, received acceptance to one, and am currently awaiting a decision from the third. I'm not worried about the wait-listed school, as I applied at the last minute almost as an afterthought and am not very excited about the program. The other two are state schools, one of which is pretty cheap and one of which is kinda ridiculously expensive. Of course, the acceptance I received is for the ridiculously expensive one, and honestly, they haven't been very forthcoming about what they'll be offering me financial aid-wise. I emailed the program's FA officer 10 days ago and haven't heard back yet, and I'm afraid they won't even get me information on the FA package they'll be able to offer me until after the deadline for my deposit for the program is due. I'm having problems even getting a plan of study for this program, since they changed specialties from an MSN to a DNP and are going through the approval process for the updated curriculum, and the feeling I'm getting from them is that I should be happy they accepted me and to not expect much more at this point.

I guess I'm used to undergraduate admissions, where the schools accept you and offer you a financial aid package, and you use that information to make your decision on where you go. Is this not the case for grad school? Am I expected to take what I can get and just be thankful that I got accepted anywhere?

[Eru Ilúvatar]

They should give you the award letter before the start of the program or any deposit deadlines, as long as your paperwork is all turn in. If you are having issues with this, then you should be wary of this school and its practices. Maybe this school is not the best option, try again to obtain an award letter, but dont pay any deposit until then.

[JenNurse1972]

I agree 100%. You can accept while you pursue the other state school. I do not think this is unethical since they have been sketchy about the FA. If they come through with their end of the FA, great. If not, they will lose your business

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Based on the information in your posting, I would not be inclined to send them any money. However, I would pursue getting more information from the FA office and if they are not returning your calls/emails, then I would contact someone else in the admissions process and raise the issue with them.

You are correct, that you should be able to obtain information about the program (cost, plan of study, etc). My program changed it's curriculum between the time I was accepted and my first meeting with administration (switched from MSN to DNP) like yours, and since then there have been a few minor revisions, but they were able to give me (us) an expected plan of study even though we all knew there would be issues with it. In fact, I identified a couple of the issues upon review of it, so it actually helped them to flush out a few details.

Good luck on resolving this issue and getting into your other program!