financial aide question

Published

Hello,

I'm currently filling out the paperwork for financial aide. I already have a bacherlors degree in something else, so I don't qualify for a lot of government help. Does anyone know what box I should mark when asking what year student I am. Technically, I'm way past senior year, but in the nursing program I'm only a sophmore. I called the financial aide center and some student told me to pick sophmore. I'm afraid it will come back to haunt me if I do it wrong, and I'll have to return money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

Can you email your financial aide counselor? We are able to send emails to our counselors. If you can, I would do that. That way you also have it in writing. Just make sure your email is clearly worded.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I don't know....I would get it in writing like the above person said. It's been my experience that financial aid as well as advisors at the colleges do NOT stand behind what they say. If they tell you wrong information, and it comes back to kick you in the butt they will say "things changed", "they didn't say that", "You misunderstood", or the person you spoke to is not longer there. This is a really big deal as you would have to pay the money back, and could even get into legal trouble for putting misinformation on your FASA so I would get it in writing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I didn't think you could get FA after you already had a degree because they are trying to stop people from being "career students".

When I was prenursing/math-sci major I could take any class related to a math sci degree and financial aid would pay for it. Now that I am accepted into the program I can ONLY take those courses that are good for the aas Nursing degree. So, I took Statistics for my BA and was able to get Fin Aid to pay for it since I was still technically a Math/sci major. Now that I am accepted I can not take any more classes for my BA or Fin Aid wont pay for anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.
Hello,

I'm currently filling out the paperwork for financial aide. I already have a bacherlors degree in something else, so I don't qualify for a lot of government help. Does anyone know what box I should mark when asking what year student I am.

We cannot tell you what the appropriate selection is, your financial aid office should be able to tell you exactly what academic year you should select on the FAFSA.

Also, to clarify, students who are pursuing a second bachelor's degree can be eligible for federal aid, the only type of that aid that you are absolutely unable to get is Pell grants. If you have not exceeded your lifetime maximum of Stafford loans (lifetime maximum is $46,000), then you may be eligible for those which are need-based and dependent on your EFC (expected family contribution). I'm going into a BSN/MSN program myself, so I am going to be getting a second bachelors and have encountered many misconceptions about the availability of federal loans. During my first undergrad degree I only utilized approx. $13K in Stafford loans, therefore I am still able to receive the $10,500 maximum per year as an independent student for the two years I will be completing my BSN.

Again, your financial aid office is your most valuable resource, use them! :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you to all. This has been very confusing process, but I'm working through it. I found out from calling the FAFSA phone number that I'm a sophmore! How funny, because I have over 200 credit hours. They base it on where you are in current degree that you are seeking. So I guess the financial aide person was right, although I don't think she knew for sure. Anyway, I do qualify for student loans and private scholarships. Just not for a government hand out. They seem to frown upon my lack of use for my first bachelors. But considering the desperation for nurses, I was hoping for a little more help. I can't work while in school, and I'm way out of college, so I have a mortgage to pay. Oh well, life isn't always easy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks for this thread. I also have a Bachelor's and a gazillion credit hours. I am applying to a local community college as well as a university. I took my information to the community college with my student status marked as 5th year and they flat out wouldn't even take my information! They wouldn't even take it for loans (which I know isn't right grrr...). I have some money out in governement subsidized loans but, I am not near the limit. I will be calling them monday!

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You will be admitted as a senior.

It's the number of cummulative hours that you have when you are admitted into a university/college that determines your class standing. That is pretty standard among colleges.

Not where you are in the individual academic program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.
You will be admitted as a senior.

It's the number of cummulative hours that you have when you are admitted into a university/college that determines your class standing. That is pretty standard among colleges.

Not where you are in the individual academic program.

Unfortunately, that is not true in all cases. I have over 200 credits/units (and a previous BA) and as I will be entering a two-year BSN program, for financial aid purposes, I am entering as a junior.

Again, reiterating that you should stick with what the financial aid office instructs you to select.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion