Funding for MSN Degree

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2004

I got a Ralston Scholarship for $1000/year. That helped a lot since I can only take 2 courses at a time. Try the Financial Aid dept at the school and the Dean of Graduate Studies in the college of nursing. They both have info.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 22, 2004

I hate to sound harsh, but $2500 is enough to pay for one course (plus books) per year. While we would like to see more support for nursing education ... that's not a bad deal from your employer. You will only have to come up with enough money for 2 course per year (assuming you will take 3 per year). You really are luckier than many people.

As for the rest ... as you are already receiving $2500 in financial assistance and only going to school part time, you will probably not be eligible for a lot of the standard scholarships and grants. There aren't a lot of people out there just throwing free money at part time students with good incomes and who already have enough financial aid to 33% of their total annual costs.

You'll probably need to take a hard look at your lifestyle and overall family finances. It may be worth the investment to talk with a financial planner. He/she might be able to find ways to get more out of the money you currently have ... refinance your house ... etc. to free up the cash you will need. That sort of thing is not unreasonable. Graduate school is a major thing and it's not unusual for it to require some temporary lifestyle sacrifices from you and your family.

Finally, there are student loans. Most graduate students in other disciplines get loans. There is no reason nursing graduate students should be any different. Interest rates are low now, so you are lucky in that respect. Again, a financial planner can assess your family finances and help you decide how much you can afford to borrow.

Good luck!

llg

kathiernc · Dec 23, 2004

$700/credit for online courses may be something you need to look at, too. I'm taking MSN classes at a private college and it's $930/course (3 credits).

Granted, I have to drive 60 miles round trip to get there & make myself crazy :eek: trying to get out of work "on time" (3:30) to make the start of a 4:20 class, but I get 2 classes a year paid by my employer ($2,000 reimbursement/yr). I like the networking that I get to do with colleagues by being in a face to face class. Plenty of time people are a little late (even up to 5pm) and the instructor understands. Let's face it, they were probably working full time and trying to get through school at some point in their lives, too. Think about looking into an MSN program in your area. The comraderie and colleguality you'll build will be just as valuable as the degree.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Dec 25, 2004

See if this will be of some assistance:

http://www.campusrn.com/scholarships/scholarship_detail.asp?scholarship_id=647&browse=P

Pennsylvania League for Nursing Graduate Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to students in Pennsylvania who are enrolled in a graduate nursing program at a school in the state.

Number Awarded: 1 each year.

Duration: 1 year; may be renewed.

Deadline: December of each year.

Eligibility: This program is open to Pennsylvania residents who are currently enrolled (full or part time) in an accredited graduate nursing program in the state. As part of the selection process, applicants must submit a short statement about their career goals in nursing; a list of their school, community, and professional activities; a list of honors and awards they have received; letters of recommendation; an official transcript; and a current resume. Doctoral candidates must have completed all course work and be prepared to submit an annual progress report of graduation does not occur in 1 year.

Contact Information:

Pennsylvania League for Nursing

Attn: Awards and Scholarship Committee

1770 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 1B

Paoli, PA 19301

610/640-5755

Fax: 610/640-3863

[email protected]

http://www.paleaguefornursing.org/awards

Other links:

http://www.campusrn.com/scholarships/scholarships.asp

http://www.futuresinnursing.org/other.shtml

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/major/a/aa072804_2.htm

http://www.discovernursing.com/scholarship_search.aspx

http://fastweb.monster.com/ib/google_nursing-1f

http://www.findtuition.com/?sc_extcmp=FT_Google_nursing_scholarships

heartworker · Jan 7, 2005

Perhaps you can consider first if there is a MS program near you where you would also have more "people resources" at your disposal, and which might even be less expensive (though that's questionable). Being in a classroom with other students to share ideas and experiences is an important part of the learning experience.

If your workplace will kick in $2500/year for school, you are blessed! Look at your own budget and think about all the places your income is going. Money spent for education is an investment in yourself, not an "expense". If you invest in your education, you will derive a benefit that is long-lasting--especially if you are only 37 now and have, say, 20-30 years to work yet.

Search your heart! If you really want to advance your nursing education, find a way to support your dream. Think about your budget--combine credit card balances, cut out unnecessary expenses, set up a fund for school, seek out school loans or grants. The big thing is to consider yourself a good investment!

Good luck,

Heartworker

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2005

check out vicky's 'sticky in the educator forum, about nln scholarship for educators. it's a lot of paperwork, but might be worth it.

i've been taking out stafford loans for 1 1/2 yrs now. they will award up to $18k/yr, if eligible. i make 'good money' :chuckle and got the amount i needed. i took out the full amount the first yr, but have slowed down, since i tallied up what my total will be :eek . they do ask if you are receving reimbursement, so i don't know how that factors in. they may only give you the cost of your tuition minus what your institution pays. still, it's better than nothing. the interest is low too.

$700 a credit is a lot, especially for no classroom!! i pay $555, and thought that was a lot. but i'm guessing this is a specialized program that you can't find elsewhere.

heartworker · Jan 8, 2005

I am currently looking into a Nursing Education Masters (MA, not MS) online at Walden University, and they charge $330 per unit. This is the first Nursing Ed master's I have found, and it really jazzes me, because Nursing Ed is my love!!

heartworker

lisabelle · Jan 23, 2005

I learned for a professor ( I am ina MSN program here in New JErsey) that there is a website you can submit an essay about your PURPOSE ( in life, in general ) at the website called : The power of purpose and can win large summs of $$$$ for your esay. I think its worth checking out. I plan to write an essay myself .. there are different sums of money based on how you place- Its a contest.

If I find out any other avenues I will write you back... Lisa

My goal is to become a staff educator or teach ob nursing in a community college. I have a BSN and have found an online program which awards the MSN w/ a concentration in perinatal education. My big problem is $. I just don't have enough of it. My job will pay $2500.00/yr. for college classes. This program is $700.00/credit. Does anyone have any ideas about funding for the MSN degree? My husband and I have a good income, but we have only mediocre credit and many bills. It is very frustrating to me. I am 39 and have been a nurse for 17.5 years. I'd like to take just one class at a time because I have a full-time and a per diem job and am currently pretty busy. Many of the aid programs I have seen want you to attend 1/2 time which would be difficult for me. My GPA was 3.8 in my ADN program and 3.9 in my BSN program, but that was a long time ago (1987 and 1990). Any ideas would be welcome. I really like what I have seen and heard from others about this program and I'd love to find a way to pursue this. Thanks in advance! :)