Funding Prerequisites

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I currently have a bachelors degree in healthcare administration. However, I am planning on going back to my local technical college to complete my associates in nursing.

One of the prerequisites is BIO210. I completed this class about 5 years ago and only ended with a C+ in the lecture and a D+ in the lab. I want to retake this course before applying to the nursing program.

However, in order to qualify for my direct federal loans to pay for it, I have to be enrolled in a degree or diploma seeking program. Should I apply as a general associates of science student until I can get into the nursing program? Does anyone have any experience with paying for prerequisite courses?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Community college classes aren't that expensive. I took them 1 or 2 at a time and paid for them out of pocket.

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It would be about $800 for the tuition for me to take just BIO210 here. Unfortunately, I simply can't afford it out of pocket. :(

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Ask the nursing department what other students in your situation list as their major prior to admission to nursing school --- pre-nursing or a general education track --- shouldn't really matter...

Are you sure that you can get a federal loan for only 1 class and to cover the cost of an associates degree - usually once you already have a bachelors you would have too many credit hours to qualify any longer for federal loans at the community college level ---

Just make sure you investigate it completely prior to committing to paying for something you can't afford. Best of luck.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
It would be about $800 for the tuition for me to take just BIO210 here. Unfortunately, I simply can't afford it out of pocket. :(

Seriously? Our CC credits are only $113 per credit hour with only a few minor fees. Maybe work a bit extra and save up the money to take the pre-req?

I personally believe it is important to try to start as financially solvent as possible because graduating with a ton of debt sucks.

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$800 sounds about right. It's about $130 a credit so four credits plus a $150 lab fee and misc. fee here. Think it's about $610 here. Then if you do a payment plan its about $710 for a class. About $180 for four month's. Not sure if similar at your CC to work out a payment plan with the school.

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Ask the nursing department what other students in your situation list as their major prior to admission to nursing school --- pre-nursing or a general education track --- shouldn't really matter...

Are you sure that you can get a federal loan for only 1 class and to cover the cost of an associates degree - usually once you already have a bachelors you would have too many credit hours to qualify any longer for federal loans at the community college level ---

Just make sure you investigate it completely prior to committing to paying for something you can't afford. Best of luck.

Do you really not qualify for federal loans? Fudge I was banking on loans to pay for my CC have $10,000 in debt as it is. Paid for my bachelor's out of pocket did two semester's on financial aid. Really hoping can get F.A. and loans to pay my way through CC.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Federal financial aid doesn't generally allow for grants for a degree lower then you already earned. So you would be able to work toward an ADN or BSN in grants. You can usually still qualify for loans though if you didn't max out on a previous degree. The problem you will have is that you have to be enrolled in 6 units to qualify for loans so you will need to take a second class with your BIO class and it needs to be degree related in order to qualify.

As as for your major. It doesn't matter. General education. Associate of science. Associate of arts. Doesn't matter as long as this class will fill in a required course for that degree.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Seriously? Our CC credits are only $113 per credit hour with only a few minor fees.
Community college tuition is $50 per credit hour in the area where I reside. I suppose I can thank my lucky stars I live in a state where higher education is still affordable.
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Here it is 200/CH. I didn't max out my direct loans with my bachelors due to scholarships and grants so still can borrow from it as long as I take at least 6 credits from what I understand. I just can't get any other federal aid such as a pell grant.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Community college tuition is $50 per credit hour in the area where I reside. I suppose I can thank my lucky stars I live in a state where higher education is still affordable.

I agree. OP your rate is high at $200 per credit but in the big picture it isn't that much to raise by working overtime or a second job even at low wage, imo.

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