Second Degree BSN

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I'm starting my second bachelors degree this January and was running into concerns with the financial aid process. I know there are limits set by the government for undergrad degrees, but since this would be a second degree would this still fall under that category, or will there be her federal loan limits?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Generally, once you have a bachelors, there is no more government financial aid.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The government (tax payers) will allow you to borrow only so much from them for an undergraduate degree. Once you have used that up, you have to either progress to a graduate degree or find other funding. That's why the nursing profession has created some Master's Degrees that are designed for people in your position. They are often referred to as "Master's Entry" programs or "Direct entry" programs at a Master's level. You should probably explore whether or not you have any such programs in your area -- or in an area you would be willing to move to. By getting your entry degree at an MSN level, you are eligible for grad school funding programs -- and you save time and money later as you will already have a Master's Degree.

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Completely read this wrong.

Sooo, I'm changing my answer to "what they said".

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I only took out 10k in loans, which I've paid back years ago. Can I still get loans for a bsn?

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Specializes in Skilled Rehab Nurse.

You should be able to. I too paid off my loans already from my first degree. I was not eligible for any grants because I'd used that money up for my first degree. I qualify for loans but unfortunately only the ones where interest accumulates while I'm still in school.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I only took out 10k in loans, which I've paid back years ago. Can I still get loans for a bsn?

It doesn't really matter if you borrowed $10k or $100k - one you have a bachelor's, private loans are your only option.

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I am in the same position you currently find yourself. Once the maximum has been reached at the federal level, your only options are private loans and scholarships. Have you tried talking to your school's financial aid office to find out what other areas you can tap into?

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Generally, once you have a bachelors, there is no more government financial aid.

I think this depends on if you have reached your limits for federal loans and how your program is classified. Are there any employers in your area that will give you tuition reimbursement? It might be worth talking to them before starting your program. Another thing is if you do need to take out provide loans, I'd definitely find out which company gives you the best rates. Also, it'd might be worth it to look into financial aid that's specific to nursing. Other than that, I'd be curious to hear from others how they'd approach the situation.

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Specializes in ICU.

There will be no federal grant aid available. They will only pay for one degree. You may be eligible for federal or private loans but that is all.

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There will be no federal grant aid available. They will only pay for one degree. You may be eligible for federal or private loans but that is all.

The person I was responding to stated that someone pursuing a second degree wouldn't receive any government financial aid. That is why I brought up the financial aid loans point. However, those loans usually only cover part of the entire cost. For those who pursued this pathway, how did you finance the entire degree? If you took out major loans, what banks or agreements should one avoid based on your own experiences?

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