FNP Program: Can I Pay For It All With Loans?

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I was just accepted to my dream school (UPenn) for the FNP program. My life's ambition is to work with Indian Health Services in the border region, and I've been working hard towards this goal for most of my undergraduate career.

Due to a plethora of family and personal problems over the past few months, I didn't complete my financial aid application until well past the deadline.

UPenn is supposed to be committed to meetin 100% of financial need, but I've heard this is untrue, even for students who were timely in filing for financial aid.

I am willing to take a hit in the loan department to attend this program. I have a feeling it will be worth it, and I know I can apply again for financial aid next year and hopefully receive a better package. My question is, is it even possible to cover everything (or nearly everything) including housing with loans only? Or am I completely screwed?

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Congrats on getting into UPenn! I am waiting for a reply as we speak for the Fall 2012 FNP program. I am also hoping to get loans and scholarships to help pay for it all.

Your question makes me wonder about my financial aid. What application deadline did you miss? The FAFSA? I haven't filled that out for the coming year since my taxes are still getting done. Hopefully the financial aid department can guide you in the right direction. I'll be calling them if (I mean when) i get accepted.

Good luck!

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You can always take out private loans, right? Also, Penn allows for work study... which can make a huge difference.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

As long as you have good credit or a co-signer who does, I'm pretty sure you can take out as much as you need in loans. I know plenty of med student who are living 100% off of student loans---tuition, housing, food, etc.

Good luck at Penn!

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Awesome! Thank you all for your help--and good luck NJprisonRN--I'm attending the Accelerated BSN to MSN FNP program, so I'll be a year behind you! This is probably why you haven't had to think about financial aid yet--the deadline is likely different if you're going straight to MSN FNP :)

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Same to you, AniLMT. We will both do great. Those loans will be paid back in a jiffy when we finish our super awesome Ivy league education!

I just noticed your name says LMT. Do you do massage? If so, then that's another thing we have in common!

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Specializes in FNP.

I'm doing it on loans - there are some excellent loan repayment programs out there, especially in Indian Health. Good luck!

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njprisonrn: yup, i've been a massage therapist since '06 :) we should trade if you end up in philly!

yeah--i think i'm going to ask around and hopefully get some advice about what's outlandish vs. reasonable with this economy. i already have about $25,000 in loans from undergrad, which is unfortunate, especially because i paid for my entire aa degree during school, so that all came from two years at a liberal arts college (ugh!). but, so far i guess it's been worth it, considering it got me into my dream school?

but--my gut feeling is if my total loans (undergrad + grad school) are going to be >$60,000 or $70,000 by the time i get my fnp, then it's not worth it. i'm also super weary of private loans. otherwise, with loan repayment it will be--being an fnp is the one thing for sure i want to do with my life, and not many people get the opportunity to do what they love all day every day :)

plus, here are some other considerations: with undergrad loans and a liberal arts degree, i would be working a likely low-paying job trying to save up for the bsn/msn program while paying back student loans. i’m imagining that this wouldn’t really leave much for savings. going into the program would allow me to defer loans until after i have a highly valued profession and job security.

admittedly, another draw for upenn, which may carry a big price tag, is that i’m a research nerd and someday would like to do policy. i heard that the school’s name doesn’t really carry much weight when looking for a job, but having access to all those resources and interacting with world-class faculty...the possibilities for learning are endless!

well, that’s my thought process at the moment--hopefully thinking it through on here will help somebody else, too...and not just me rambling :)

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Yes, that would be awesome! I think we will need it with all the stress of FNP school. I've been an MT since 02 and I love it. I just didn't want to do it forever, thus nursing school.

I also am choosing Penn because of the reputation and resources. I'd like to work for the government one day (CDC, NIH, etc). This the kind of thing that could make the difference. My intention is to get some loan repayment so I'm not worried about the huge price tag. I feel that it will be worth it, especially since it's got such highly rated clinical sites. Our education will be top notch.

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I'm starting Loyola's BSN-DNP in May of this year. They offer a nurse faculty loan payment plan. You have to commit to 4 yrs of full time teaching at an accredited nursing school and it's 1st come 1st serve. It covers 85% of all school related costs and the interest is 3% for the remaining 15%. I'm applying for it. It's too good to pass up & I love the idea of teaching. I should be able to practice part time as well.

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Specializes in Neuro, progressive care.

Hey, I too am starting Loyola New Orleans this May. I filled out the same application as well. Hope to meet everyone there. Have you made hotel arrangements yet? All of the hotels seem expensive but I will try to make it a mini vacation. Let's swap email address and fb.

Mine is [email protected] and facebook is Shun Tayva

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