Stafford Loans with a previous degree?

futurenurseya33 · Oct 13, 2011

I was denied for that reason.

sugarmagnoliaRN · Oct 13, 2011

Even if those credit hours have nothing to do with the degree you're working toward? I have a BA in Art History... man I'll be screwed if that happens to me. What did you do to pay for school?

Rhapsody86 · Oct 13, 2011

I have a previous Bachelor's Degree (graduated May 2009 with 126 credit hours, started BSN program in August 2010). For my BSN I have used Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), and up to this point I haven't had any trouble receiving the amount to cover my tuition. Every year I actually get awarded way more than what my tuition actually is, but I only accept my tuition amount. I've never heard of Satisfactory Academic Success Progress Standards, but it obviously hasn't affected me! I would go to the school's financial aid office and talk to them if you have any concerns, but for me all I had to do was fill out the FAFSA and wait to be awarded.

On a side note, I used the Stafford Loans for my first year of nursing school, but this current school year I decided to enroll in the honors program (have to write a research thesis) which gives me a scholarship to cover my tuition- was very thankful they let 2nd degree students into this. Maybe a college near you has a similar program?

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2011

ya i have a BA , and i havent had any problems recieving Stafford sub/unsub loans... i would call who ever gives out the loans and see what that academic success is all about...seems unusual.

sugarmagnoliaRN · Oct 14, 2011

Thanks for the replies y'all! I'm thinking maybe only certain schools have this SAP requirement... It looks like I won't be eligible (but MAN it's impossible to get anyone on the phone from my financial aid office). Anyone have any advice on working 35 hours a week while getting an ADN?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 14, 2011

All schools must have SAP. Most that don't have an issue are in a 2nd bachelor's program, not an associates post bachelor's program. One is more likely to get denied federal aid for an associates post bachelor's than a 2nd bachelor's degree. Have you thought about doing an ABSN program?

sugarmagnoliaRN · Oct 14, 2011

Yes, the other school I applied to is a very intense ABSN program. It's also at a very expensive private university... it would be great to go there but I'm not sure I could afford the loan payments once I graduated. I may start looking into the ABSN program at the state university in my area, but for now it looks like working 25-35 hours a week is my best bet. It'll be difficult but at least I won't have any student loans when I graduate!

Rhapsody86 · Oct 14, 2011

All schools must have SAP. Most that don't have an issue are in a 2nd bachelor's program, not an associates post bachelor's program. One is more likely to get denied federal aid for an associates post bachelor's than a 2nd bachelor's degree. Have you thought about doing an ABSN program?

I did my own research into this and I think she is right. You might want to try a Bachelor's program (BSN) or an Accelerated Bachelor's program (ABSN). I know all schools are different, this is what my particular school says about SAP and Second Degree students: "Second-degree students may only receive financial aid to earn the total required credit hours for the second degree. A second-degree student is defined as a student with a previous degree at the same classification, either undergraduate or graduate. For example, a student pursues a bachelor's degree in a new field after earning a previous bachelor's degree." Again, this is for a university, not a community college.

In regards to working while in nursing school, if may be possible for the first semester or so, but at some point it is going to get insane busy. I am in OB/Peds/Psych semester right now, and that's 18 credit hours. Plus, remember you have to go to clinicals for those classes during the week. Many in my program had to either quit there jobs, go part-time, or go prn so they have time for all of this and study. If you really need to work full-time, I would consider being a part-time student. Only you know how you can juggle work and school. I work 1-2 days a month during school, over the summer and the school breaks at a restaurant, and knowing how I handle stress, desire to do well in nursing school and such, I can't do anything more than that. I would definitely try to continue to get in touch with the financial aid office to see what they can do for you so that you wouldn't have to work full time. Also, some hospitals offer scholarships if you agree to work with them after you graduate, may want to look into that also. :)

VolunteerCPR · Oct 14, 2011

I was denied for the same reason, but I'm paying cash now. It's really not too bad at a community college, about $75 a week. I'd rather just force myself to pay it and be broke than go further in debt.

sugarmagnoliaRN · Oct 14, 2011

I agree... the thing that's going to be hard though is paying all my bills and being able to get all my work done. This summer I worked full time and did 15 hours of pre-reqs (including 2 lab sciences) so I'm used to being stretched thin, but I would hate to find out mid-way that I can't do it. I'm also researching scholarships, etc. that I can apply for but most are awarded for the Fall semester (I'm hopefully starting in the Spring) so I'll have to wait until then. Does anyone know of any hospitals that grant scholarships in exchange for work after graduation in the DFW area?

Thanks for all the responses! Deciphering all this financial aid stuff is a major pain in the butt.

Rhapsody86 · Oct 14, 2011

Thanks for all the responses! Deciphering all this financial aid stuff is a major pain in the butt.

No problem! I don't live in that area, so I can't help you there! All I can say is research, research, research all the financial aid options. I can definitely emphasize because I was trying to figure out all that stuff too about a year and a half ago. Good luck! :)