I need some Financial Aid Re-assurance

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Okay, here is the deal... I just got accepted into the fall nursing program (GREAT NEWS)... now for a little bad news... I have been trying to save up money for school but I have not been able to find a job and save, so I am basically totally broke. This means I am 100% relying on financial aid to pull me through school.

But I am worried because I have never went through financial aid and I don't know how it works. I filled out my FAFSA on Jan 5th but I have had to make small corrections (amount I have in the bank, schools I am going to, ect). I know that I am going to get an "award letter" in may which will tell me what I am eligable for but I have some questions.

1. Will the fact that I corrected my FAFSA thus changing the processed date to this month affect me getting the first come first served grants? I hope not but can someone with experience give me the info?

2. Once I get my award letter, what do I have to do for there. Say for the pell grant, fed loans, and scholarships. What is the follow up on each of those things to get the money I need for school for the fall semester.

3. I have bad credit. My Credit score is a 550, with a couple bank deliquencies and an unpaid phone bill. This means I need a co-signer to get a loan right? This may be a problem because I am not sure I have anyone who can help with this. Are their any loans which don't require co-signers?

...also any general tips that you have learned on getting financial aid would be very helpful. I really need it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical ICU and Neuro ICU.

i have bad credit too. im not sure of my score, but i did not have to have a cosigner. and the pell grant and SEOG and higher ed grant, plus a few loans paid for everything. im not sure how your school works but mine gives loans to anyone. the only way you cant get aid from my school is if you have to many hours for the degree you are persuing. like if you alredy have 90 hours and are persuing a associates degree you can only get enough aid to pay for the classes you are required to take no more....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i have bad credit too. im not sure of my score, but i did not have to have a cosigner. and the pell grant and SEOG and higher ed grant, plus a few loans paid for everything. im not sure how your school works but mine gives loans to anyone. the only way you cant get aid from my school is if you have to many hours for the degree you are persuing. like if you alredy have 90 hours and are persuing a associates degree you can only get enough aid to pay for the classes you are required to take no more....

Thanks for the Info,

What is the SEOG? Also, what did you need to do to actually get the money once you were informed that you were eligable for the aid. Could you explain what you had to do for each? Did you just fill out some paperwork then send it in. Also, How long does it take to actually get the money?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical ICU and Neuro ICU.

I filled out my fafsa. then they submitted my info to the school. then the school will contact u if they need other info. like ur parents tax info if ur so young and don't work or sposes info etc. then the school sends a award letter. my school releases the money after add/drop period. since the money goes directly to the school and not to u, u don't have to worry about anything really. if there is a problem then the school contacts u. ohh yeah if there is money left over they send u a check about 2 weeks later. the. I can't remember what seog stands for though. where r u going to school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment