MUSC ABSN Spring 2015

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Hi everyone!!!

I wanted to go ahead and make a thread for MUSC's Spring 2015 hopefuls. I know it is a little bit early to start this thread, but I am just so excited. I am looking forward to everyone stats and encouragement for each other. Looking forward to the results!!!

How did you already apply for scholarships moca? I though we had to wait for financial aid. musckim, I estimated on the high side...I went off my current spending on groceries, which I am sure I could eat cheaper than I do now, plus I figured rent and utilities at 1000. On room/food/board above it only gives you 1000/month for rent, utilities and food. If I could commute from home that number would go down or if I find a roommate that would be cheaper too

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I like to be prepared...If I don't use the money, I will pay it back immediately. That's what I have done at the college I am at now. I might pay some interest, but it's worth the peace of mind to me to know its there if I need it. I will say that I have a certain degree of discipline and don't use the money on anything unnecessary. Last year, I borrowed 12000 and put 8000 back before 6 months, so I didn't even pay interest on it.

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You aren't allowed to take out loans OVER the amount they estimate the year will cost. So that figure (35,000) is going to be the absolute max amount you can receive from financial aid and loans combined. If you want $ over that (which it's doubtful you'll need $ over that) you will have to get a personal loan that is not specific for school. I get the max amount every year and I have an extra 3grand usually floating around that I don't end up using. And I am not frugal.

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Obv out of state is allotted more b/c it costs more

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How did you already apply for scholarships moca? I though we had to wait for financial aid. musckim, I estimated on the high side...I went off my current spending on groceries, which I am sure I could eat cheaper than I do now, plus I figured rent and utilities at 1000. On room/food/board above it only gives you 1000/month for rent, utilities and food. If I could commute from home that number would go down or if I find a roommate that would be cheaper too

Hey geoda, you can apply for MUSC scholarships at any time. You just have to make sure you pay your matriculation fee in order to be eligible. The website is https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=skwabQSjkC.

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I still haven't paid my fee, moca. I am 90% sure I will go to MUSC, but the moving and money are making my tech college not look so bad...polly313, do you have roommates? Did you get scholarships? So you got 35000/year from fed loans? I was told the max was 12500/year. So I was told by financial aid to look in to a private loan which I was approved for 25000, I have 10000 saved, but am worried that won't be enough. Polly are you working or is anyone in your class working (thank you for sharing w us)? I know I shouldn't let it, but the money thing is stressing me out! Believe me, I hope I am way off on my estimates and I also hope I can get a bunch of scholarship money too!

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I still haven't paid my fee, moca. I am 90% sure I will go to MUSC, but the moving and money are making my tech college not look so bad...polly313, do you have roommates? Did you get scholarships? So you got 35000/year from fed loans? I was told the max was 12500/year. So I was told by financial aid to look in to a private loan which I was approved for 25000, I have 10000 saved, but am worried that won't be enough. Polly are you working or is anyone in your class working (thank you for sharing w us)? I know I shouldn't let it, but the money thing is stressing me out! Believe me, I hope I am way off on my estimates and I also hope I can get a bunch of scholarship money too!

Cheer up! On the low, I am secretly stressing over financial aid too. (: But whatever happens, happens. I know I won't be the first or the last person to take out a massive amount of loans that I know I will struggle to pay back bit by bit. Keep the faith, and you never know...you might just get a huge scholarship that will pay your tuition off (: There is one sponsored by Roper St. Francis and one for MUSC. The catch is that you agree to work for them after graduation (For MUSC they want 2 year payback, for Roper, 1 year). Not a bad idea if you are looking to stay in Charleston. Plus you will have a job after graduation too!

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Thanks! yeah you are right... I have and will gladly work for a loan forgiveness. I wouldn't mind living in Charleston, but eventually I want to be a travel nurse. OK, I have whined enough :yes:

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I'm over stressing...my mom put me straight...it is an honor to be chosen and I am going to accept and have an awesome experience! If you follow your heart, the money will take care of itself :)

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So I spoke with financial aid and basically if you are a dependent as in under 24, not married, not a veteran, not homeless, not an emancipated minor then you are still considered a dependent in FAFSA standards which means you get no financial aid (if you already have a bachelors degree) or at least in my circumstance I don't based on my EFC. Regardless of if you are independent like I am you have to meet the criteria. The options available are a personal loan and the nursing scholarships. The nursing scholarships are not distributed by financial aid they are dispersed by the CON. She could not answer any scholarship related questions except if we are awarded a scholarship then she updates our award letter and mails it out. You can email Mardi Long and see if you qualify for a scholarship. I did not.

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So I spoke with financial aid and basically if you are a dependent as in under 24, not married, not a veteran, not homeless, not an emancipated minor then you are still considered a dependent in FAFSA standards which means you get no financial aid (if you already have a bachelors degree) or at least in my circumstance I don't based on my EFC. Regardless of if you are independent like I am you have to meet the criteria. The options available are a personal loan and the nursing scholarships. The nursing scholarships are not distributed by financial aid they are dispersed by the CON. She could not answer any scholarship related questions except if we are awarded a scholarship then she updates our award letter and mails it out. You can email Mardi Long and see if you qualify for a scholarship. I did not.

How did you not qualify for ANY scholarships?? That makes me sad. So if we fill out the application form for the MUSC scholarships, will they notify us or do we still have to contact Mardi Long?

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I still haven't paid my fee, moca. I am 90% sure I will go to MUSC, but the moving and money are making my tech college not look so bad...polly313, do you have roommates? Did you get scholarships? So you got 35000/year from fed loans? I was told the max was 12500/year. So I was told by financial aid to look in to a private loan which I was approved for 25000, I have 10000 saved, but am worried that won't be enough. Polly are you working or is anyone in your class working (thank you for sharing w us)? I know I shouldn't let it, but the money thing is stressing me out! Believe me, I hope I am way off on my estimates and I also hope I can get a bunch of scholarship money too!

Yes, I do have a roommate. We both pay about 550 in rent and utilities/cable/internet/water end up costing another 150 monthly depending on what time of year it is (I'm in Mt. P). I have gotten a few small scholarships here and there, but nothing to really bank on. I also don't spend a whole lot of time applying for them like I should, but a lot of them I dont qualify for on the basis that I am a white female, middle class (according to them >:( ) and not religious. They have tons of scholarships for men in nursing, diverse populations, and low-income persons, as well as a big "Christian nurse" scholarship that a bunch of people just got this semester. Different scholarships will pop up every semester, and our dean usually emails everyone about them. Lots will be available for the fall semester.

You're right that the max federal loans are 12,500 per year (split between two semesters). The additional money you need will have to be covered with a private loan. The two loans (federal and private) combined cannot exceed MUSC's estimated cost of living for 1 year (35000). A few weeks before loans are disbursed the CON will usually award people "Nursing Loans" that have been (for me) between 4 and 2 thousand a semester. This just depends on what they happen to have that semester and who has more "need" according to their standards.

One thing everyone needs to do if you will be giving up full time (or part time!) employment is a "Change in Circumstances" form from the financial aid office. This is simply a form that states that your W-2 and tax information from the following year will not reflect your contribution during the school year because you will no longer be working. I had a pretty good job before I started school, and before I filled out that form I didn't qualify for diddly squat. Ask about the form.

Re employment: I babysit and have little jobs occasionally, but I don't have a consistent job. I want one though, and I've been on the lookout for good ones that work with my schedule. After you get the hang of everything it's possible to have a job for 1 or 2 days a week comfortably. There are a couple people who still work as techs full time in the hospital, but I have no idea what their academic status is like so I can't speak to that and whether I would recommend it. I know that for me, school is not stressful and I could do a job not to exceed 24 hours a week. For others, school makes them crazy and neurotic. Depends on which kind of personality you are I guess! I would recommend waiting to see how you will fair during first semester and make a judgement for yourself as to whether working is going to be a benefit to you. Ultimately, I decided that I would rather have the opportunity to focus entirely on school so that I don't accidentally kill someone because I'm tired or later on because I didn't pay attention in school. But now I'm ready to do school and a job :). Also, if you already have a tech job, try to keep it, even if you don't work but one day a week. There are often "internal new grad" applicants that you will be able to apply for, and this will make your life easier come graduation. It's VERY competitive to get a new grad job at MUSC. Keep that in mind.

Re the cost: It is stressful to take out so much money for school. My cousin is a nurse, and she helped me decide to go to MUSC and pay the money, because this is an investment in you and your career. MUSC is well-known everywhere...they know who we are in Cali where she works! Your value as a new grad and throughout your career will reflect in the top notch education you will get. Around here, Roper and MUSC don't even really hire nurses who aren't BSN prepared. If you get your RN and somehow find a job in a hospital, it's likely you will be sent back to school to get your BSN, which will cost you a bunch of money anyway (and time!). BSN nurses are preferred for specialty jobs, management jobs, and any job that pays well really. I also know that the air force doesn't take nurses that don't have bachelor degrees. Not sure about other branches, but if you want to go on to be a flight nurse or a nurse in the military, you better have a BSN! You will get a job, you will always have a job, and you will pay off your debt :)

One other thing I will share with this forum: Parking! Parking. The sooner you can get an ID and get some parking, the better. You've been warned.

You'll all be fine. The CON is always there and makes sure everyone gets going!

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