How did you get financing for the Associates Degree in Nursing program?

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I filled out a FAFSA but then saw where you can't use a federal grant for the Associates in Nursing degree at Excelsior? Did you try to get scholarships or get a loan? I am a single parent so hope to find some financial aid. Trying to get that worked out so I can start soon. Any input would be appreciated.

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I filled out a FAFSA but then saw where you can't use a federal grant for the Associates in Nursing degree at Excelsior? Did you try to get scholarships or get a loan? I am a single parent so hope to find some financial aid. Trying to get that worked out so I can start soon. Any input would be appreciated.

So far I've just been paying myself.. It's hard but I'm determined..

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Specializes in Maternity.

I got a loan through Sallie Mae. They do have repayment plans where you can defer repaying until you are done or just pay the interest until you're done. Good luck!

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I too am facing this problem for next semester. Since I have been out of work going to school I have exhausted my savings because of things coming up/fees here and there. I wanted to take out a loan for next semester but I have been told that since I have a BS I can't get a loan or grant--basically nothing for help. I have even been told that appealing the denial will also be rejected. I only borrowed 5k in my entire undergrad and 17k total for both my BS and MPH so I haven't maxed out my loan limits at all. I have never missed a payment so I am not in default to be denied or anything. I too am wondering about funding because with gas being so high, NCLEX fees, supplies for this coming semester I can't do it. What is someone to do that already has a degree? I have been wondering what will happen if I can't pay..just drop out?...all that work just to have to wait ..anyone out there faced this problem? I have looked into every scholarship there is to get as well. Most of them are just super competitive so I can't rely on the fact that I might get one

Any suggestions from someone that went through this???

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I am facing the same problems. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!! I have heard of many nursing grants and scholarships but I have failed to find them!! Thanks everyone :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
scholarships grants for nursing school - Google Search
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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Nursing Scholarship Program
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Yes...there is a nursing scholarship program and it is great...but....you have to have a EFC of zero, good credit and answer 3 essay questions. They choose 450 winners from the entire nation including Puerto Rico, outer islands of ours, Hawaii and overseas applicants on bases. If you are a miracle recipient then you owe them 2 years in service but it is a nice deal if you manage to land one. It is just hard to bank on that you might be one of the 450...they also have loan repayment for service but that excludes me because I need it beforehand.

Many states have scholarships in exchange for service...just so happens ours is closed right now! and the hospital scholarships that service our school are also closed with no notice of opening back up again since I guess there is a flood of nurses now. lucky me :(

I would borrow from my parents but I know they will not help me..my dad laughed at me for 30 min and changed the subject when I told him I was going to school.

I guess I will find a way..I have until Aug. but I still would like to hear about anybody's experiences out there with loans and such...this is major. I can't believe they do not have more measures in place for those wanting to go back for school if they didn't max out the loans..I mean you have to pay them back with interest! so it is not free money or anything. :)

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Wait, why can't you use federal loans?? I'm in an ADN program and I'm using federal subsidized loans to pay for it. I have a previous bachelors degree as well and had no problems getting federal loans.

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@holli_80_73, I'm not sure who told you that you couldn't get a student loan with a previous degree, but they lied. Since you have a Bachelors degree already, you can't get any grant money, but as long as you haven't reach the limit on undergraduate loans, you should still be able to take out student loans. I'm not talking about private loans either.

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@holli_80_73, I'm not sure who told you that you couldn't get a student loan with a previous degree, but they lied. Since you have a Bachelors degree already, you can't get any grant money, but as long as you haven't reach the limit on undergraduate loans, you should still be able to take out student loans. I'm not talking about private loans either.

I know I thought the same thing but I am just going on what they emailed me recently. I emailed the fin. aid dept. and they said no you can't get any since you already have a degree. We do not approve loans for students with a bachelor's or higher to get a "lesser" degree. They consider the ADN less than a bachelors.

I asked is there anything that can be done..and she said well you can try to appeal it but I know from experience they deny those too.

I felt helpless when reading her emails---so I started asking around and other students faced the same thing..they had to resort to borrowing from people or scholarships. I would try for a private loan but I am not sure about my credit to be honest..I owe more than I make is how they see it---I would even sign with a place and agree to work for them but the only ones I know of pay back what you borrow..so they pay after the ADN..not before.

I also think it is the school's decision if they give loan money to people like me or not...I have heard and read where other people get loans and some don't.

Do you think there is someone else at the school to approve just 1-2 semesters of aid above this counselor ? I only borrowed 17,000 total in my entire life for student loans. 5,000 in my undergrad and the rest in my grad. so I know the aggregate amount max doesn't apply to me yet. and I have never defaulted (another criteria)

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

I went through Excelsior for my ADN a long time ago. Ran into the same financing issues, then, to. What I did was to:

---applied for every scholarship I could find from PEO, lions club, ELKS, My church, any all all civic organizations, Professional Womens organizations

---I signed up for money from my hospital with a 2 yr program to work there after graduation. Good way to keep a position and 2 years was valuable experience. I was there for 5 after RN graduation.

--I worked full time. I worked part time.

It is hard but do-able!! Best wishes!!

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