The university I will be applying to at the end of the year for my BSN is a private Catholic university:
*Is a direct entry nursing program.
*Is transfer friendly—even with their nursing program is (I will be trying to transfer their next fall*).
*Has a 100% NCLEX pass rate for 3 years straight and 100% of their students graduate.
*Is a 13:1 student to teacher ratio.
*Gives their students over 60 clinical sites to give their students diversity.
*The program is Holistic focused.
*Is a 3 year nursing program, so a lot is spread out.
Now this all seems great but the total cost of attendance for this school is $38,000 annual with fees included. You could even registered up to 18 credit hours a semester at this school but pay nothing because it's also included with tuition. However, If I was to commute the 45 min there everyday I wouldn't have to pay for dorms so it would be about 27,000 annual.
It is the cheapest nursing private program in my state, and a nurse who attended the school last year told me that the #1 hospital in my state always prefer interns from this school.
My only concerns is the money factor. I will be doing my pre-reqs at a CC this semester and then apply at the end of the year. I'm hoping to cut the cost down with grant money, government loans, and scholarship.
I went to a private 4 year. You're eligible for federal aid, maybe state aid, depending on the results of your FAFSA and as long as this is your first degree. The institution may offer money of its own. Mine did. If the financial aid brings the cost down to a reasonable level, there's no reason why you shouldn't go to this college BUT don't borrow $27k a year for 3 years.
I know lots of students here are a little older and independent, but if you are an 18 year old dependent student, how much are your parents willing to contribute each year toward tuition?
That was something I was wondering. You mentioned an ABSN program. Is this your first degree? And you are going to do all of your prereqs at a cc? My other question is this is a MSN program? You said direct entry.
I would get your BSN first if this is a masters program. Many people who are going into these direct entry programs are having a hard time finding a job afterwards because these nurses have a masters degree but no experience. Most nurses who have a masters are not going to be doing bedside or want too much money to do bedside, especially when someone with an ASN or BSN can do it. What is your end career goal? You need to look at this as how can someone master a subject if they have never practiced the subject? Also, some of these direct entry programs don't issue the BSN at all, you only get the MSN. Depending on which section of the country or the hospital requirement, from what I have seen, they want that BSN.
My sister went to a private, Catholic college and got her doctorate in physical therapy. Her student loans are pretty much what a mortgage payment is. She makes very good money but seriously a mortgage payment on a very nice house. I would rather have the good paying job with the very nice house and not have the student loan debt.
No, I never had a degree before. Lakeview College of Nursing in Illinois offer their students the choice of a ABSN or BSN whether you have a degree or not (with all the 2 year pre-reqs done of course). It seems to be a pretty cheap program.
The private university I'm planning on going to is a direct entry BSN program for freshman. Meaning once you get out of high school you could apply to the program with no pre-reqs. And if you are a transfer student you can apply to the program with all 8 pre-reqs done or finish the last of your pre-reqs at the university itself.
The OP's school sounds like a good option to me. It's not the cheapest school, but it is not outrageously expensive either -- and sounds as if it is providing a high-quality education that is respected by the community it serves. It also sounds as if the OP is money-conscious -- and not planning to take our huge loans to pay for it. As long as she can keep her loan burden down below $40K or so, she should be OK -- and it sounds as if she can.
Well I will be moving in my grandparents house next month and I would qualify for a lot of aid if I were to use their information.
I would never take out 27,000 every year. My main goal is to not use private loans at all.
Their financial information? FAFSA information isn't based on who you live with, it's based on who claimed you as a dependent on their taxes. Were/are you legally a dependent of your grandparents?
My grandparents are retired and when I spoke to my CC financial office they told me I could use my grandparents information if I lived with them for over 6 months.
My mother claims me but she refuses to give me her SSN because she is always on edge and thinks everyone is out to get her. And that's why I'm moving in with my grandparents.
My grandparents are retired and when I spoke to my CC financial office they told me I could use my grandparents information if I lived with them for over 6 months.
My mother claims me but she refuses to give me her SSN because she is always on edge and thinks everyone is out to get her. And that's why I'm moving in with my grandparents.
You can not use your grandparents information if your mother claims you, even if you live with your grandparents. Much like even if you live independently if you are under 24 you still have to provide your parents financial information.
Couldn't I just use my settlement money for my first year in college then let my grandparents claim me? My mother has no obligations to claim me on her tax.
Lol what? An MBA is worth far less than a nursing degree. You know how common MBAs are? Ask my two friends still living on their parents couches. If you don't go to a top tier school it's just another sheet of paper.
There are a gazillion online MBA programs out there ready to eat up 100k. IT probably has to be the most common masters degree on the market.
You're comparing apples to oranges here. An MBA is NOT, absolutely NOT worth less than a nursing degree. An MBA is for business, a nursing degree is for nursing. You can't compare the two. I happen to possess a BS in accounting, an MBA, and am a semester from a BSN because I chose to make a career change. So I beg to differ on your assessment of an MBA. Do you have one?
Also, there are a gazillion nursing programs out there that are looking to take students 100k so what's your point?
I'm just wondering why the ABSN is not at the top of your list. It will take half the time of the private school and only cost $13,000 compared to $81,000 for the private school. What am I missing here? Is it a long wait list for the ABSN program?
Specializes in Infection Prevention, Public Health.
I am very much on the private school option for you. You sound really responsible and you will be able to research lots of ways to defray your expenses.
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I went to a private 4 year. You're eligible for federal aid, maybe state aid, depending on the results of your FAFSA and as long as this is your first degree. The institution may offer money of its own. Mine did. If the financial aid brings the cost down to a reasonable level, there's no reason why you shouldn't go to this college BUT don't borrow $27k a year for 3 years.
I know lots of students here are a little older and independent, but if you are an 18 year old dependent student, how much are your parents willing to contribute each year toward tuition?