Funding question: Direct entry MSN programs

wildmountainchild · May 23, 2006

Mky experience in my Masters Entry program is that government loans are available in concert with provate loans for the total amount (or close to it). My program is 80 grand total (yikes!). I have access to both subsidized and unsubsidized stafford loans.

Talk to the financial aid department at the school your interested in, they'll let you know what's going on. As far as the loans go, I have access to them immediately...even during the pre-NCLEX portion of my degree. The pre-NCLEX 15 months is considered part of the Master's program as far as I am aware.

Good luck!

lovingpecola · May 23, 2006

it depends on the school...

for columbia entry-to-practice (aka "direct entry") you are classfied as a second degree undergraduate for the first part of the program, therefore, you do get federal loans, but at the undergraduate maximum rates until you enter the graduate portion of the program

for yale graduate-entry-program-nursing (aka "direct entry") you also do receive federal loans, but at the graduate maximum rates because you are never considered a second-degree undergraduate (yale doesn't offer the bsn at all)

here's a link to a table that shows you the difference in maximum amounts based on undergraduate/graduate classification:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2004_2005/english/types-stafford.htm

does that make sense? let me know if not!

amm2061 · May 23, 2006

At UCLA they consider an Masters Entry student eligible up to 18,500 in federal per year...

BAtoCNM · May 25, 2006

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site, so pardon my ignorance. I'm thinking of applying for midwifery programs (accelerated, as my BA and MA are in two other fields) but have NO CLUE how hard it is to get into these programs, what kinds of financial assistance to expect, etc, etc. Anyone have input? I realize those are huge questions, but I'm dying for some more detailed info that I can't find on the various websites!

romie · May 25, 2006

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site, so pardon my ignorance. I'm thinking of applying for midwifery programs (accelerated, as my BA and MA are in two other fields) but have NO CLUE how hard it is to get into these programs, what kinds of financial assistance to expect, etc, etc. Anyone have input? I realize those are huge questions, but I'm dying for some more detailed info that I can't find on the various websites!

This particular thread is geared towards a funding question for Direct Entry Programs. I understand that usually CNM programs are extremely competitive, as are CNS and NP specialties dealing with Peds and Womens health.

romie · Jun 2, 2006

I was doing a little scholarship search. It appears that the Health Service Corps Scholarship excluded students in direct entry MSN programs. I wonder why this is...

romie · Jun 2, 2006

I spoke with the Nursing Program Finanicial Aid Officer at UIC and he clarified the issue for me. According to the FA offiicer, UIC GEP programs are classified as graduate students the duration of the program, including the first 15 months and are eligible for graduate student financial aid and loan limits. He said that in addition to Stafford loans, UIC students have access to Perkins Loans and Nursing Student Loans.

This information make me feel much better and hope that it clears things up for other UIC students.

lovingpecola · Jun 2, 2006

Hey Romie,

Yes it's true we're excluded from NHSC for the first year, but after that we're eligible. I don't know why...

VandyKalin · Jun 4, 2006

Will anyone who is currently enrolled in a direct entry MSN program please answer this question?
Are you eligible for federal graduate student loans when you first apply for these programs, espeically those that have a pre-NCLEX portion or do you have to wait until you have completed the pre-NCLEX portions before you have access to federal loans?
One of the main draw for me for these programs is the extra funding available to graduate students. Obviously the feds wont help you get a second degree below the masters level, so a second degree BSN or ADN is not for me. I read in another thread that a student in a direct entry program wasn't considered a graduate student until after completing the pre-NCLEX portion of their program.

I have been accepted into the "bridge program" at Vanderbilt ( I have a BS in another field and am not an RN, but am entering an MSN program ) and I was able to take out all subsidized/unsubsidized Stafford loans at GRADUATE maximum levels, as well as Federal Graduate Plus Loans up to the amount Vanderbilt determined necessary. Like you, I was attracted to MSN programs with direct entry options because I couldn't fund a second bachelors degree. I think it really depends on the school - I know VCU classifies you as a Graduate student all three years of their program too, for financial aid purposes. Hope this helps.

CEG · Jun 4, 2006

I am at UIC now and we get everything at the grad rate. I am also using the Grad PLUS loan which I think is new. It seems like a pretty good program.

GL!