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Discussion

Help with Prerequisites!

Hello all!

I am looking to begin taking pre-requisites for nursing school this coming January but am having some trouble figuring out how to pay for these classes and where to take them. I currently have a bachelor's degree from University Of Maryland in Broadcast Journalism. I currently live in California but am thinking about returning to the east coast to live with my parents (in southern Pennsylvania) so that I do not have to worry about rent for the prerequisites, and I am definitely planning on attending nursing school in Maryland (either at UM or Salisbury most likely). My problem is, because I am out of state back east, the tuition for 12 credits at the cheapest community college is around $3,500. If I were to stay in San Diego, the tuition for 12 credits is around $320. However, I pay around $650 or so each month for rent and utilities.

What, if any, are the options in paying for prerequisite courses? Is it possible to get financial aid (loans and/or grants) for those classes? Because of credit issues, I am unable to take out any private loans so I'd be looking at paying cash, or getting financial aid. I have never attended a community college so I am not sure what is even offered in terms of financial aid. I'd take any loans I can get to help me get through the prereqs. Is this even a possibility? If so, how does it work at a community college? Are there any other options out there? If not, do you have to pay for the classes in cash one large sum?

Also, in terms of schools, has anyone has any trouble with their prerequisites being recognized by a BSN program if they are taken at a community college? Has anyone taken their prerequisites in another state then their chosen nursing school? I am looking at taking my prerequisites at either the San Diego Community Colleges, or at Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania, or even somewhere in Maryland, though the out of state tuitions tend to be much higher and I would have a longer commute). I am concerned that if I take the prerequisites in another state other than Maryland, they will not be recognized or may hinder me in the admissions process at UM or Salisbury.

Lastly, does anyone have any opinions about the best option for a student who already has an unrelated bachelor's? I'd like to go to school in Baltimore, and am not really interested in the astronomical tuition for Hopkin's Accelerated BSN program. I have thought briefly about getting my ADN first then doing a RN to BSN program, but it seems like it will take a lot longer than going straight for my second bachelors (even in a non-accelerated program). It just seems a little easier to take prerequisites at the same school I hope to complete my degree, however, I do not want to pay the higher price to take those prerequisites at a 4-year school. Another note: I am hoping to eventually pursue a career as a nurse anesthesis so I will be pursuing a masters if that helps with your responses.

Thanks in advance for you help! I am going crazy trying to figure all of this out! I am open to any suggestions about the best way to get this done and get started with school as soon as possible!

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    Wow. That's alot to think about :)

    It seems to me that you're going to have to deal with out of state status at some point- either way. Plus, if you continue to reside with your parents when you move back East-you will still be out of state for UMD-SON. (JHU wouldn't matter for residency but you're paying 60-80k anyway)

    Do you have a fair amount of student loans already? Are you a candidate for grants? Scholarships?

    I had a previous degree and ended up choosing the least expensive route. I have to say I am glad to did now because I still will end up with 20k in loans (would have been atleast 40 w/UMD) and the job market isn't stellar. When I began pre req's everyone talked of tuition reimbursement, signing bonuses, new grad positions all over...not now.

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    Well good news and bad news....

    Good: Some community colleges offer in-county tuition for non-in-county students for nursing, as nursing programs are part of the "designated statewide or health manpower shortage program."

    Bad news: I am not sure if this applies to the nursing prerequisites or the actual nursing courses only. Also, they may only allow the tuition exception to other Maryland county residents, as oppose to out of state residents.

    Sorry that I don't have more info, but hopefully this gives you some leads as far as your research process will go. Good luck!

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    If you lived in Maryland, you could take your pre-reqs and pay the "in-county" rate to go to an out of county community college (CC) for nursing. I currently go to an out-of-county CC and pay in-county fees. I also took my AP I and II courses at another CC and they also granted me in-county rates because nursing is my declared major and its part of the Manpower Shortage designation in MD. I chose this option because its cheaper. I already have a BA and MA in an unrelated field. My goal is to get my ADN; start work as a RN, have my employer pay for BSN at UMBC. If I recall correctly, most of the 4yr state colleges have transfer agreements w/ the MD CCs. I'm not sure about PA schools.

    Your decisions are difficult. You are smart to do the research up front before beginning a program of study. Is it possible to attend a CC or 4yr school in PA?

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    If you lived in Maryland, you could take your pre-reqs and pay the "in-county" rate to go to an out of county community college (CC) for nursing. I currently go to an out-of-county CC and pay in-county fees. I also took my AP I and II courses at another CC and they also granted me in-county rates because nursing is my declared major and its part of the Manpower Shortage designation in MD. I chose this option because its cheaper. I already have a BA and MA in an unrelated field. My goal is to get my ADN; start work as a RN, have my employer pay for BSN at UMBC. If I recall correctly, most of the 4yr state colleges have transfer agreements w/ the MD CCs. I'm not sure about PA schools.

    Your decisions are difficult. You are smart to do the research up front before beginning a program of study. Is it possible to attend a CC or 4yr school in PA?

    Hey there RNb440. Although you can be out of county and qualify for in-county tuition rates, could you take advantage of the rates if you are out of state? Thanks!

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    we are on somewhat the same bout.. im from san diego and ahve a degree in business that is trying to get into nursing.. i am looking around here too as to where i take my pre reqs. I wanted to take it in maryland since i have family there and take nursing there as well. I am still hoping i can stay in san diego and study here

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    Hey there RNb440. Although you can be out of county and qualify for in-county tuition rates, could you take advantage of the rates if you are out of state? Thanks!

    I think so, here's more information on the tuition reduction for non-resident RN students. BEWARE! There is a service obligation tied to this particular program:

    http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialaid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_nonresnurs.asp

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    I know this thread is old but, thank you dcgrrl for this link!

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