HRSA Nursing Scholarship Application--Now AVAILABLE!!

BeeJayCeeYa · Apr 18, 2009

So if my EFC for the upcoming year (2009-2010) was like $9000 so should I not even apply? I am quitting my part time job to attend an entry level masters program in August so next year maybe my EFC will be lower?

First funding preference will be given to qualified applicants with the greatest financial need (those who have an expected family contribution [EFC] of zero) and are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate nursing program as full-time students.

Because of the competitive nature of the NSP, scholarship awards since the inception of the program in 2003 have not gone beyond this funding preference.

I'll paraphrase the next part:

First funding preference: fulltime, $0 EFC, undergraduate (or accepted) student
Second funding preference: fulltime, $0 EFC, graduate (or accepted) student
Third funding preference: parttime, $0 EFC, grad or undergrad (or accepted) student

This is a quote:

If funds remain available, qualified applicants who have an EFC that exceeds zero will be grouped according to their EFC in increments of $500 from highest to lowest need (i.e., applicants with EFC of $1-$500, applicants with EFC of $501-$1,000, etc.).

Again, based on my playing with the website Prettyladie gave me, if you are single, no dependants and can not be claimed on parents' taxes, if your income this year is over $7,000 you will have an EFC > $0 for next year. If you have one dependant, your allowed income goes up to around $16k.

Based on my decadently luxurious lifestyle afforded by my $13k income this year, (single, no dependants), next year my EFC is ~$2600. That puts me so far down the list for this scholoarship that I'll probably win the lottery before getting the scholarship. Oh, well, I knew all of those trips to the French Riviera with Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Madoff would catch up with me eventually!

If I were you, after looking at the form to be filled out, your time would likely be better rewarded on concentrating on finding other funding sources. Just my :twocents: .

OrthoFNP · Apr 18, 2009

I have to second those who are frustrated with the EFC calculations. I have been unemployed since January of 2008 due to no fault of my own. I do not have a job. I will not have a job when I am in school either... more importantly. Thank God they did not calculate me on what my salary was for 2007. I do have a college degree, (therefore even more loans) but I feel as if I have just as much of a right to a scholarship as anyone else. I am 31 and I am living with my parents while in school. Just b/c they make or made a decent living does not mean they should be required to provide for me. They are my parents. I am me and I do not have a trust fund. I agree that looking at your income from last year is insane! Mine was $14,000 total and I still had an EFC of $3,000. This is like 25% of my income. Too bad it has ALREADY been spent on last year's bills!!!!!!!!!!! It was last year's earnings! I am also confused as to how someone seems to think a person making $45,000 should just have all this money stockpiled for a rainy day. We are talking about $45,000 not $450,000. $45,000 is not exactly a ton of cash. I made more than that and it was tough to save. Life is expensive and I am a bargain person. I am not saying by any stretch of the imagination that someone making $45,000 now should have prefrence. I agree it should go to those with a more immediate need, but I am saying this was last year. We need to examine this year.

I think the bottom line is this...some of us feel as if there should be more of a consideration for the scholarship than just the EFC. I can barely pay my bills every month on unemployment, which is now exhausted. I have a student loan already I am paying on and $200 a month for private health insurance b/c I am a kidney donor. So, until someone knows exactly a person's situation, I think it is unfair to say just b/c they made x amount they don't have a CURRENT need. I am also not sure when a person was considered rich on $14,000 a year. If I did not make that unemployment I would have filed bankruptcy, hypothetically speaking of course, and then would not have been eligible either b/c they do a credit check and if you have any outstanding debts, you are ineligible. So, what I am saying is this way of determining eligibility seems a little black and white.

LilQueen CMA · Apr 18, 2009

What do they mean about outstanding debt? What exactly do look for on the credit check?

BeeJayCeeYa · Apr 18, 2009

I agree that looking at your income from last year is insane! Mine was $14,000 total and I still had an EFC of $3,000. This is like 25% of my income.

Forgive me for being nosy, but you might go to your financial aid office and requested a special exemption due to extenuating circumstances. They should be able to help you in adjusting your EFC. Be prepared to document everything when you go in. :twocents:

OrthoFNP · Apr 18, 2009

Whether or not there are any liens against you. I think they mean non-payment liens. Not like car liens with financing etc. Just like wage garnishments and stuff. Don't stress. Basically, I was trying to say that if I did not collect unemployment I would have bad credit due to unpaid bills and I am sure they would not have accepted me. Yes, they do a credit check. It is spelled out in the 42 page document I scoured the other day...Good luck to everyone who qualifies!!!

pmeeksSN · Apr 18, 2009

Was it because of your efc?

no i have and EFC of 0 I just wasnt lucky enough last year to get it....hoping for the best this year

OrthoFNP · Apr 18, 2009

Beejaycee,

Thanks so much for your info. I do not see you as nosey at all!!! If I did I would not post on here. :) I am just arguing for others more so than myself. I have accepted that I will not be awarded the scholarship. I agree there are people who need it more than ME. I just know there are people out there with similar circumstances who do not have someone to fall abck on. I am fortunate enough to have awesome parents! They are going to help me out financially in every way possible. I am lucky in that respect since I am 31 years old. I was just trying to find a way so that they did not have to help me since I am 31 and no longer a dependant. I was my mom's kidney donor and my dad is retired. I just don't want to be a burden on them. They don't see it that way at all. They can afford to help me it is not that at all. I just don't want them to if I can avoid it since I am 31 abd have been independent since 2000. That is all I was saying. Not getting the scholarship will not ruin me it was just going to be a way for me to take responsibility for myself. I would have been proud to tell my parents that i was doing it on my own. Believe me it is not that big of a deal. I just know there are folks out there just like me who do not have supportive, financialy able parents. I am more so fighting for them than myself...:) Thanks for your post though.

LilQueen CMA · Apr 18, 2009

no i have and EFC of 0 I just wasnt lucky enough last year to get it....hoping for the best this year

Did you meet the first preference meaning undergraduated, fulltime student with efc 0?

LilQueen CMA · Apr 18, 2009

Do you guys think we should fill everything out and send it to them at once, or just fill out as we go?

Prettyladie · Apr 18, 2009

i just got my acceptance letter this morning. So now I can apply!!!!!! I'm not sure how all the process works, but I think you should send everything all at once.

Prettyladie · Apr 18, 2009

i cant find the actual application. can somebody help me? im on the website, but im not seeing what i need to send in.

Prettyladie · Apr 18, 2009

nevermind. i found it.