Pima Spring of '08 students, pop in. Say "hi".

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

First semester we had 2 different locations 8 weeks long, with one continuous instructor. Second semester we had 2 locations, with a different instructor each time. 3rd semester, 2-3 different locations, 3 different instructors (peds, ob, psych. Only 2 peds hospitals and a few psych hospitals). 4th semester 1 teacher, 1 location 10 weeks long, then on to preceptorship (6 weeks).

purplefinchLPN · Feb 1, 2008

Hi Jumpy. I was accepted into the Pima spring '08 class. Then I found out I couldn't get financial aid through Pima because I have too many credits. So I made an alternate very happy. I'm going BSN at a university in AZ, instead. Good luck - and honestly, I envy you. It's a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful program. I still wish I were in the Pima nursing program, starting this month, at times.

What does that mean you had "too many credits" for financial aid?? I am planning on doing the LPN transition program there for RN as soon as I can apply after this semester. I have a previous AA and BS degree as well as a loan for my LPN I am still paying off. I have never heard of having too many credits to get financial aid before-now I am freaked out!

purplefinchLPN · Feb 1, 2008

I'll will be starting the pima program soon, and I thought I'd say howdy. Anyone else going to be in for spring, at PCC?

From what I understand I will be in Fall '08 or Spring '09 doing the LPN transition program.

West Valley · Feb 1, 2008

Hi Jumpy. I was accepted into the Pima spring '08 class. Then I found out I couldn't get financial aid through Pima because I have too many credits. So I made an alternate very happy. I'm going BSN at a university in AZ, instead. Good luck - and honestly, I envy you. It's a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful program. I still wish I were in the Pima nursing program, starting this month, at times.

What does this mean? I am nervous about applying for financial aid now. Please let me know.

Cursed Irishman · Feb 1, 2008

At the community college level, if you possess a bachelors, you have exceeded the point of being eligible for financial aid w/o petition. all you have to do is appeal it through the financial aid office; generally youll write a statement telling them why you need/want the money and *poof* its yours.

ETA: This has been from my experience at MCCD and CC's in NC.

West Valley · Feb 1, 2008

At the community college level, if you possess a bachelors, you have exceeded the point of being eligible for financial aid w/o petition. all you have to do is appeal it through the financial aid office; generally youll write a statement telling them why you need/want the money and *poof* its yours.

I have tons of credit at the community college level....(finding myself) LOL.... So the statement made me a bit paranoid. I don't have a Bachelor's degree but I might have enough credits to get one LOL j/k

Thanks!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2008

I had fits with the financial aid issue, talked with many many people in the financial aid offices, had appointments with the financial aid officers at Pima, and was told the same thing by everyone: all financial aid for the RN program stops when you've attempted or earned 108 credits. We were told about this in our nursing department orientation a few months ago. I, and several other freaked out students went flying out of orientation to ask at the financial aid office.

I could have only had financial aid for my first year of the RN program. I would have been totally on my own for the last year. So I switched my plans back to a traditional BSN program because while I have too many credits for financial aid at a community college, I don't have too many for the university level. Also, I believe that even if you have a previous degree, you can still obtain stafford loans up to $46,000 (lifetime, total) at a university.

It seems this issue causes problems for many at the community college level. Another student I attended orientation with has a master's degree, and she hit the same problem. She thought she could get financial aid because she had never used any for her previous degree. Turns out no - all the financial aid ppl care about is how many credits you have attempted, total. She had to give up her seat to an alternate, and she's applying to accelerated BSN programs.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2008

At the community college level, if you possess a bachelors, you have exceeded the point of being eligible for financial aid w/o petition. all you have to do is appeal it through the financial aid office; generally youll write a statement telling them why you need/want the money and *poof* its yours.

It may be that way at other institutions, but not at Pima. Absolutely not.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2008

You might have one option, and that is private loans, like a Sallie Mae. It's not through federal financial aid, and you have to qualify. The financial aid officer at the West campus told me that was my only option. I hate it that the student workers who staff the phones just tell people to appeal and it'll probably be fine. That's what I was told repeatedly, and it isn't true. I'd call the district financial aid office. I received more reliable answers there. The number for district financial aid is in the directory on Pima's website. Another, better thing to do would be to make an appointment with the financial aid officer at the West campus. He's good an thorough (even though he couldn't say yes to me!)