Samuel Merritt ABSN Summer 2012

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Hi everyone! :nurse:

So, the applications are due today (September 1st) for summer admission to ABSN program at Samuel Merritt. How does everyone feel about their application?? :up: :down: What campus did you apply to?

Yes...

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Captain-I was planning to apply for both fiscal years-Ur saying we only need to apply 2011-2012, that will carry over for our entire program?

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Lastly, I actually applied thru fafsa already for 2011-2012-is that the stafford lOan u Speak of? Ill b calling smu Tom. Icant believe they didn't reach out consisting deadline is Tom.

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Maybe not "reaching out" is how the eliminate some students?? I also did the 2012-2013, but completed 2011-2012 today.

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I applied to both 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. I think we have to apply to 2011-2012 because our start in summer session is at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. And, the school year 2012-2013 begins in the fall.

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On the otherhand I could be wrong or have a misunderstanding. We should check each others claims. I don't mind being corrected. Information that helps us all is good.

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I applied for both too a while back. It can't hurt and better to be safe.

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its prolly a good idea for everyone to submit an application asap, but i checked the website, and california deadline is actually June 30, 2012...just before the next fiscal year.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

I was a student in the 2007-08 Oakland ABSN cohort at SMU. At that time, the only financing available was a combination of Stafford loans and private loans. There were no scholarships and grants. Well, almost none. SMU staff let us know about a few we could apply for, but most of those were either tiny amounts of money (like $500 to $1000) and/or were based on such stringent financial need criteria that almost no one could qualify.

And unless SMU has changed a lot since I went there, that "above and beyond" statement is pure B.S. But hopefully things have changed!

I came out of SMU with $83,000 in student loan debt (this includes borrowing some money for living expenses, since it wasn't feasible for me to work even part time while attending). At first my monthly payments were $700/month, but I've now consolidated my loans and the payments are down to $579/month (this is partly due to spreading payments over a longer time period but mostly because I was able to get a lower interest rate). Still a very hefty chunk of change. It was worth it to me, but it ain't cheap.

Good luck!

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i just spoke to someone in financial aid from SMU-last name starts with an M. Captain was part right-they do offer about 6,500 per semester, but it is based on 3 semesters...the one that starts prior to July 1, then the next two to finish out the whole program...that equates to about 19,500 not 20,500. Not a big difference, but wanted you guys to know exactly what it is. Noahsmomma is prolly right about private lending...thats the impression i got from scouring prior year threads...Just dont plan on fed loans for the whole thing...and private lending, ive never experienced it myself, but im thinkin its like getting any other loan...good credit, cosigner and all that stuff...I would be very proactive in finding what exactly is going on. I applied for the 2011-2012 fafsa maybe 2 days ago...and they said they forwarded the info to the school, they havent gotten it yet. She said theyll prolly get it on monday, from there theyll assist it producing a financial aid package. In either case, the faster you apply the sooner youll have your answers.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

I agree that good credit and a co-signor help with getting good terms on a private loan (or getting one at all). Here's a tip that I learned the hard way: if you're currently employed but are planning to quit your job once you start school, be sure to apply for your loans first, while you still have income. It's MUCH harder to get a loan, and you pay higher interest, if you're unemployed at the time of application. Doesn't matter if you've been in the workforce 30 years and have excellent credit, you still get dinged big time for being unemployed. I had been laid off from a job and had been unemployed (deliberately so) for about 6 months prior to admission, and it really hurt me -- harder to find a lender and higher interest rate once I did.

My current consolidation loan is with Wells Fargo -- they had the best rates, and I think this is true of all their student loans, not just consolidation loans.

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so san mateo still hasn't heard? man u guys must be going nuts right now

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