StaceeRN

Also tier 1. I don't know that they've been able to go below tier 1, especially with the changes to the allocation of funds. Keep your hopes up though and good luck!

I am also an awardee from last year. I keep checking in now and then to see if I can add any perspective. I remember one nurse faculty member saying she got the letter of intent in May. Then it seemed to move on to NPs (June or July), then RNs (mainly August). The wait is far from over, so try not to worry too much. :)

I'm thinking we won't get them until April, since most of us didn't get the first payment until October.

They have always allowed consolidated loans, as long as they are consolidated before the application deadline OR after you are awarded (do not consolidate between the two) AND the loans that were consolidated were acquired by you to go towards your nursing degree (can't include spouse's loans or loans acquired for a different degree in the consolidation.)

Not yet. Hoping they come in a week or so.

We will get a W2, but the gov't takes their time and they didn't get sent out until Jan. 31st last year.

On the "next steps" page it says "Participate in the NELRP Awardee Webinar, which will provide important information about your participation in NELRP. You will receive an email invitation in the coming weeks with specific Webinar details. Your attendance is strongly encouraged." I wonder what else we possibly need to know.

I visited the program portal today and noticed the "my financial information" tab and decided to check it out. I was greatly surprised to see the breakdown of taxes for just one payment. My gross monthly payment is about equal to that of my gross paycheck but the taxes are more than twice as much. I'm in awe. Not complaining, just hoping for a nice tax return when the time comes! While I'm here... Has anyone heard anything about the webinar? They seem to stress its importance, but I haven't received any info on it yet.

Same here.

Did anyone receive a payment this week?

I don't see why the deposits would be affected by the end if the fiscal year. Seems odd. I'm just going to hope that the reps are wrong once again.

Also still waiting. Any day now...

I'm sorry you weren't awarded but I'm sure you were given incorrect information. On last year's thread there was an HRSA employee giving insight to the process and he said every single application is reviewed and they would be in big trouble if they didn't. We heard multiple times that there was a glitch with updating application statuses. Maybe the status only changes to "under review" after you pass a certain point in the review process. Did you have the EPL and credit check? Sometimes I think the CSRs are underinformed and give us incorrect answers. For example, I submitted my application the day before the deadline and I was awarded. Kinda blows that rep's theory out if the water.

That's a tough one. I'd call the help desk and ask. You might want to call a few times to see if you get different answers, since that seems to be the theme.

I consolidated with Wells Fargo. All of my private loans were with them and they offered me the best deal. I *think* they are now accepting outside consolidations. I was also looking into CU Student Loans. If you have an account with a participating credit union, this company helps you consolidate with them. You can also choose a credit union through them to join if you don't already have an account. I heard about this on TV when a financial expert was talking about student loans. Credit unions are starting to give banks more competition, therefore lowering interest rates. One thing to note is that the rate you're offered on private loans is highly dependent on your credit score, unlike federal loans. Be sure to shop around a bit! Here's the website if you're interested: http://www.custudentloans.org/

It's ok, it's all very confusing. I've just researched so much, it's practically etched in my brain! For the loan forgiveness, you can select the IBR, ICR, or standard repayment (not much help when the standard repayment is 10 years!) Just to be clear, I only consolidated my private loans and left my federal loans "as is". But when I consolidated my private loans, I called and completed the process with a very helpful CSR. I have changed my federal repayment plan though, and that was over the phone as well. I didn't dare do anything online for fear of screwing something up. I chose the IBR and the payments are still pretty high! I think the ICR would be my best bet, but I'd have to consolidate to Direct loans first to be able to select that option. I'd call your loan servicer to see what the best option is for you. Good luck!

Speaking from experience, I would recommend consolidating federal loans before you enter repayment, especially if you have some that are Direct loans and some that are not. This will give you the advantage of making all of your payments eligible towards the public service forgiveness. Be sure to choose a repayment plan that is eligible, such as IBR or ICR. They also require that you work for a nonprofit organization. This website is very helpful: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

Federal loans do not have to be consolidated to be eligible for the public service forgiveness. They do, however, have to be Federal Direct loans. For instance, of my 10 federal loans, only 2 are Direct loans. The payments I have made on those go towards the 10 years of payments before forgiveness. If I want my non-Direct federal loans to qualify, I have to consolidate them into a Direct loan and then the 10 years of payments will begin.

This was in response to im4yanks.

Talk to your loan servicer about consolidation. If they don't offer consolidation, look around for another servicer. I consolidated my private loans and got a much lower interest rate and the loan term was extended to 20 years, even though I didn't ask (nor want) the term extended. My payment is now almost half of what it was before. Be aware that if your loan term is extended that you will pay a lot more in the long term because of interest. I looked around a bit before I consolidated and considered different options. I'd be willing to share advice and options that I found if anyone is interested.

I feel terrible for those who were not awarded. I'm trying to think of reasons why some people have such high debt/income ratios and weren't awarded... consolidating loans after submitting application, not enough documentation of previously consolidated loans, submitting loans that were not directly related to nursing education, employer is for-profit, HPSA score has changed and is lower than what is stated on the website. I guess there are a lot of possibilities, but I hope you all are able to figure out what went wrong and receive the award next year. Good luck to you all!

I think that may have been a typo. I have plenty of private loans that were all included in my award. Silvermoondust, could you clarify that statement? I'm a little confused as well.

If you are awarded, they give you a worksheet that outlines your loans and the total amount of your award, minus federal taxes. What's left is then divided into 24 monthly payments, which is deposited directly into your bank account each month.

Try logging in on the participant page!! The same thing happened to me and that's when I found out I could log in as a participant.