Jefferson - Low EFC but has to pay 16k?

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Hi there, I'm wondering if anyone on here has some experience with financial aid issues or Thomas Jefferson University

I applied and got accepted into TJU College of Nursing, and just received my award letter. I would also like to add that I will be starting my junior year and first year of clinicals (Jefferson doesn't have programs for first or second year) meaning I completed my prereqs already. I completed my prereqs at my local penn state campus and it was pretty affordable. My EFC is usually $0, but TJU put down $98.00. Thats still a pretty low number. However, my aid package is very minimal. My pell grant for some reason is lower than before and this time I'm not being offered a FSEOG grant (Penn State gave me all these things). They also offered me four different types of loans, two being from the university. The loans have APR rates and those sort of things.

However, after all this I'm still left to pay about 16k just purely for tuition (My tuition is 37k without dorm). I don't know how students pay for that. Do most nursing students have that amount saved? I know private loans exist but I won't receive a 16k loan. My family income is not high enough to receive private loans.

There is also no assets or anything on the taxes. I'm confused why my EFC is so low yet the amount I have to pay is so high?

I did call their financial aid office twice, but both told me they don't fully know. They weren't very helpful.

This is all a first for me since penn state was just one small loan and gave me more grants and scholarships.

Anyone experienced this before? Do nursing students usually pay 16k out of pocket?

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Many posts about Thomas Jeff Univ. in Pennsylvania Nursing forum

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Many posts about Thomas Jeff Univ. in Pennsylvania Nursing forum....might want to contact member in one of the threads there.

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Not familiar with your school but I'm very familiar with your financial situation. Many students have parents who sign off on loans for them through institutions like sallie mae and they are able to cover their tuition. If you have an EFC of 0 and your family cant help much, I would truly dodge schools with tuition as high as 37,000.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

The EFC basically just determines how much your pell grant is going to be. Schools can use it to offer additional grants and scholarships through the school, but they are under no obligation to do so. You don't have to choose to go to such an expensive school, a lot of nursing students go to community colleges that are a lot cheaper. I'd say no, most nursing students don't pay 16k out of pocket because their tuition isn't that high. You can also look into scholarships that you have to apply for yourself. Your school may be able to provide you with information on those.

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The maximum Pell grant that anyone can receive this year is $6095, regardless of your school, and honestly with an EFC of 98 instead of 0, you're talking about a difference of $50 or less. I can't speak for loans that your school offers, but the federal loans for juniors are capped at $7500 per year if you are dependent or $12500 if you are independent, assuming you are not close to your overall limit for federal loans. If you are independent it sounds like your financial aid package is pretty standard. I would look at scholarships too, if you haven't already.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
The EFC basically just determines how much your pell grant is going to be. Schools can use it to offer additional grants and scholarships through the school, but they are under no obligation to do so. You don't have to choose to go to such an expensive school, a lot of nursing students go to community colleges that are a lot cheaper. I'd say no, most nursing students don't pay 16k out of pocket because their tuition isn't that high. You can also look into scholarships that you have to apply for yourself. Your school may be able to provide you with information on those.

This is wise counsel- make the smart choice about debt.

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