No financial Aid for second Bachelors degree?

justme1972 · Oct 28, 2007

No, its not true. You can get LOANS, federal or private, that can be subsidized or unsubsidized, but you cannot get any type of grant.

You can always, qualify for scholarships.

There is a cap on how many loans and how much financial aid you can get to receive your FIRST BS degree...I think it's along the lines of 144 hours, or something like that. But once you graduate, you are again eligible.

Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 23, 2009

Hi All,

I'm currently trying to fill out the FAFSA. I've applied to Accelerated 2nd Bachelor's Degree Programs (NYU, Georgetown, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Binghamton) but I am also applying to direct-entry BSN & MSN programs (Columbia ETP, Vanderbilt, MGH and Pace). I was told by Columbia to apply as a "5th year/other undergraduate" but other schools like Vanderbilt require that I apply as a "1st year/graduate student". It also asks whether I will be working on a second bachelor's degree or a graduate/professional degree. It could be either one since I don't know yet where I will be.

Did anyone else run into this problem when applying? Any info would be appreciated! I am trying to get this in within a week. It's really not that hard to fill out; it's just that one issue really!

Thanks!

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jan 23, 2009

I applied to an ABSN and a DE-MSN program, and the FAFSA really is not set up for applying to both an undergrad and grad program at the same time. What I did was set up the FAFSA for the first school that admitted me, the undergrad, and the switched to the program I really wanted to go to, the grad program, when I was accepted there. You can resubmit the FAFSA if/when you need to in order to make the Financial Aid office at your school of choice happy.

Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 23, 2009

Cool.. yeah thanks for the info! I am sort of basing my info on my first choice school so hopefully if I get in I won't have to worry about re-submission. Thanks for the info!

Mahage, LPN · Jan 25, 2009

SiennaGreen said:
Is it true that there would be no Federal Financial Aid if I were to pursue an accelerated BSN degree since I already hold a BS degree? This limits me to Direct Entry MSN, if I want to have access to student loans, correct?
I hope I have misunderstood. Can anyone clarify any further?
Thank you!

I have previous bachelors degree along with masters and was able to get both subsidized and subsidized Stafford Loans. I had a little glitch upon entering the bachelors program as my schools financial aide counselor told me I was ineligible for fed loans but I knew better. I contacted the program director and he was able to clarify it with the counselor. I was not eligible for a federal grant but definitely was for Stafford. I am in MSN program now and was just notified of my Stafford eligibility for it also. No problems, just go for it. If you schools financial aide counselor tells you you are not eligible, push onward because you are unless you make over the limits or have a defaulted loan.

Mahage

r0b0tafflicti0n · Feb 1, 2009

You do not necessarily need a BSN to apply for an MSN program if you are an RN, though. I'm going that route (I have a BA and am attending a hospital-based RN program then applying directly to an MSN program).