Samuel Merritt/ Private ABSN/ second degree BSN programs

SweetCorn · Oct 10, 2014

I'm attending SMU right now and I'm under the impression that most people are taking out private loans.

You do get some federal money (around $12,250 if this is your second bachelor's degree) which comes at a nice low interest rate, but the rest has to come from private loans, or savings, or somewhere else.

It's true, a lot of people can't apply to private schools because they can't get the loan. Check out the various options before completely closing off this option. I'm pretty happy with the program, and being done in 12 months is HUGE.

Edit to add: If you are competative, look at Cal St. Stanislaus. It's a relatively new program and does not get nearly as many applicants as other programs in CA. It's around half the cost of SMU and is in the central valley which also helps with the cost of living. http://www.extendeded.com/asbsn/programoverview.html

zzbxdo · Oct 11, 2014

Then don't apply/attend. Your options are not limited to just private aBSN programs. You are a competitive student like you say, apply elsewhere where it is merit based and FAIR.

panda2bnurse3 · Oct 17, 2014

Good point. I am looking into other more cost efficient programs such as those offered at the CS level.

panda2bnurse3 · Oct 17, 2014

Thank you so much for the great info! I will check that out.

Amanda

SweetCorn · Oct 17, 2014

Then don't apply/attend. Your options are not limited to just private aBSN programs. You are a competitive student like you say, apply elsewhere where it is merit based and FAIR.

Regarding the FAIR part above.... SMU and other private schools don't determine who gets a loan or not, that is up to the banks. Many private schools offer some scholarships to ease the cost burden as well once you are in and can prove a financial need.

Getting into this school was highly competitive. It's not just who has the $$$ gets in, far from it.

zzbxdo · Oct 18, 2014

I'm not arguing that smu is not competitive. Just stating that to complain it is not fair to not be able to afford tuition to an absn will get her nowhere. Like I said, there are other alternative options that are more affordable.

panda2bnurse3 · Oct 19, 2014

I'm not arguing that smu is not competitive. Just stating that to complain it is not fair to not be able to afford tuition to an absn will get her nowhere. Like I said, there are other alternative options that are more affordable.

Are you attending an absn program or have you? If you, where and how are you getting by?

panda2bnurse3 · Oct 19, 2014

Yes SMU isn't a super easy school to get into but I will say that it is one of the least competitive. Trust me, I've looked at all the ca absn programs. Smu had tons more requirements though. But I will say that the least competitive schools compensate for that by being expensive to attend. THEY WANT YOUR MONEY (and yeah, they are on rolling acceptance).

As for who determines loans I think that it is ridiculous that additional nursing BSN s are categorized in undergrad bachelor's loan levels. Obviously nursing school is expensive but the government should look at the benefit of graduating with a RN BSN. My friend at smu told me that the default rate on loans after graduation is 0%. And most absn programs result in a job afterward. So my complaint comes from the fact that there is no compensation for these positive results when programs cost so much and don't qualify for additional government funding (plus loans and private loans aren't very helpful when you have had adverse credit history - and if you are anything like me (where mommy and daddy didn't pay for your education), then it's likely that you don't have a perfect credit profile. And getting into nursing is going to help change that and guarantee a job of sorts.

So why can't nursing school, which is more expensive than other programs and pretty much guarantees a payoff, be classified into the medical category for direct loan funding?