Just a little confused about how Excelsior works...

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My husband is a paramedic and we're looking at the Excelsior program for him. There are just a couple of things that aren't clear to me:

1. It is my understanding that you just take the tests for credit. You can study on your own or take the online courses if you want but it's not required. Is that right?

2. The material that you need to study with, is that included in the testing fee? Or do you buy that separately and just get a list of skills/concepts you need to know?

3. The fee set up is a little confusing to me- once you enroll, do you get anything from them that puts together everything you need on 1 bill? I guess I'm thinking in terms of estimating your personal total cost of the program.

4. I noticed on the site that you can qualify for federal aid with the school. Has anyone here used federal aid for the program, and if so was it fairly easy to set up (fill out the FAFSA and then the school gives you an award package)?

Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

1. It is required to study for the test to pass, but how you decide to study is up to you. Most of us recommend at least taking the practice exam available on the EC website after we register for our tests. Many do not use the online courses or whatever they are called and do just fine.

2. No. You have to buy the material yourself. Most people go online and buy the required textbooks that are an edition older than the most recent edition, which saves a lot of money.

3. When you pay the enrollment fee, he will know exactly what tests he must complete so you can estimate costs. You do not get a bill for the individual tests. You pay for those online (or by mail, I think, too) as you go. The annual fee (the SSAF, I think) is a bill you will get 1 year after enrollment.

4. You cannot have federal financial aid for the 2-year degree in nursing because of the test-out nature of the program. Other programs have federal financial aid available, but that is because they consist of courses taken online as requirements, which the associate's degree does not.

Welcome to the board!

My husband is a paramedic and we're looking at the Excelsior program for him. There are just a couple of things that aren't clear to me:

1. It is my understanding that you just take the tests for credit. You can study on your own or take the online courses if you want but it's not required. Is that right?

2. The material that you need to study with, is that included in the testing fee? Or do you buy that separately and just get a list of skills/concepts you need to know?

3. The fee set up is a little confusing to me- once you enroll, do you get anything from them that puts together everything you need on 1 bill? I guess I'm thinking in terms of estimating your personal total cost of the program.

4. I noticed on the site that you can qualify for federal aid with the school. Has anyone here used federal aid for the program, and if so was it fairly easy to set up (fill out the FAFSA and then the school gives you an award package)?

Thanks!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

In addition to apple's great answers, I offer this: https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/Publications_Before_Login

Download the "School of Nursing Catalog," "School of Nursing Viewbook," and "How much will your Excelsior College Associate Degree in Nursing cost?" They contain the answers to your questions, and more. :)

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