Trouble getting Financial Aid for Pre-reqs

JettaDP · May 27, 2008

I'm going through a similar situation. I have too many credits to continue getting financial aid. For two years I have been taking nursing pre-req's as well as social work classes. I applied for the nursing program and I hope to get into it for this fall semester. If I do, the financial aid office said that I could appeal the rejection of financial aid. They said that if I appeal, I will most likely receive the financial aid because I will be in the actual program and not just taking random classes. (I say random because I've completed all my nursing pre-req's and graduation req's but not the social work classes but I've never declared social work as a second major or a minor.) So try appealling it and see what happens. Just exlpain your situation and you may get your financial aid back. You never know.

Also, if you are taking classes from a community college try transferring to a university. Since they are four-year schools you get financial aid for longer. If you are not in a spot where you can travel to a university, don't forget that many univesities are offering online classes.

Hope some of this helps. Good luck.

Bicster · May 27, 2008

I'm so frustrated! Ok, so I've always had the issue that I can't get any federal help because my EFC is way high. Fine. So I attempted to get an unsubsidized federal loan. Now I can't get that!!!
Apparently, because TECHNICALLY I'll have all my credits for an A.A. in General Studies at the end of this summer, and I'll have 87 credits (Due to changing my major and moving from one state to another) I'll not be considered "Degree Seeking" and have too many credits for financial aid.
We can't afford the tuition and books for August. I'm not in a place in life where a semester off is really feasible. I'm not sure what to do! Any suggestions?

Get a part or full time overnight position in a hotel or something. The pay overnight is generally higher.

Cut out every non-essential (cable, eating out, etc)

Give plasma, you can make $100 or so a month doing that alone.

Find out if your school has payment options, many do.

Check out your books from either the school or public library.

Sell stuff on craigslist.

Tutor.

Deliver pizzas.

Hello.Nurse2B · May 27, 2008

I appreciate the advice. We think we're just going to go with a private loan. I'm married (as I'm sure many of you are) and my marriage is my #1 priority. I don't want to to work more hours as we already don't see much of each other as it is right now. I am currently looking for some work. We actually are in the process of purchasing a house so our financial stuff is changing rapidly. We're living bare minimums right now and my hubby is working as much overtime as he can manage. We cut coupons etc... but we were expecting this loan and don't have much time to come up with the money in such a short period of time.

JustinTJ, ADN, BSN · May 27, 2008

Appeal it. Direct quote from my CC's financial aid office.

"Ahh, you're going to have too many credits, but just appeal it because nursing is an automatic override."

MotivatedOne · May 28, 2008

I have a BS degree in IT. I plan to apply to the ABSN program the school I'm attending offers. I've been able to get both unsubsidized and subsidized student loans granted my EFC is like 0. But I have over almost 150 credit hours. I suggest you try applying to a four year school. There, you shouldn't have a problem getting financial aid due to your credit hours because at most schools you need above 120 to graduate anyway.

lullaby · May 28, 2008

I am starting nursing school full time this summer. I already have a BA degree so i do not qualify for any Federal student loans so I have to take out all Private loans.

I am really worried because I do not have good credit, but my parents have excellent credit and they said that they would cosign with me.

My question is do you think I will be able to take out private loans even if i have bad credit but my parental cosigners have very good credit? My biggest fear is that somehow my bad credit will interfere with taking out private loans even though i have good cosigners?!

anyone else go through a similar private loan situation?

i'm very nervous!

Hello.Nurse2B · May 28, 2008

I'm definitely going to try to appeal it. The private loan is my back up. As for the one with bad credit... the cosigners should really help. Good luck!

Ladypie · May 28, 2008

I agree with other posters- sometimes we have to make decisions that we aren't in love with. My husband and I decided that if it came down to it, we would take an equity loan out on our house to pay for things as I go through school. It is only temporary.

I got lucky for now and found an easy job that is paying for my prereqs. I work maybe 10-15 hours at night during the week. Pay is nothing to be proud of, but you know what? I don't mind it, the people are super nice, and I am able to study there as well. When I finally get into nursing school, we probably will have to take out a loan. I will want a laptop and maybe a pda, and we will probably end up eating out more. I will also be driving much more and will have to pay for extra gas.

I understand, too, that it is hard to not see your family so much. It has certainly caused strain in my marriage, and we must work actively to stay close.

Good luck!

MotivatedOne · May 28, 2008

I am starting nursing school full time this summer. I already have a BA degree so i do not qualify for any Federal student loans so I have to take out all Private loans.
I am really worried because I do not have good credit, but my parents have excellent credit and they said that they would cosign with me.
My question is do you think I will be able to take out private loans even if i have bad credit but my parental cosigners have very good credit? My biggest fear is that somehow my bad credit will interfere with taking out private loans even though i have good cosigners?!
anyone else go through a similar private loan situation?
i'm very nervous!

I don't understand why you didn't qualify for student loans. Are you going to a four year school or a CC?

I'm currently at a four year school. The community colleges here wouldn't offer me any financial aid because of the fact that I already have a 4-year degree but I was able to get $10,500 in an unsubsudized loan for this upcoming 2008-2009 school year. Which is more than enough, considering the tuition here is darn near dirt cheap, like $1900 per semester if that.

You should still be eligible for scholarships even at the CC level. That's something you could look into.

Good luck!

lullaby · May 28, 2008

I don't understand why you didn't qualify for student loans. Are you going to a four year school or a CC?
I'm currently at a four year school. The community colleges here wouldn't offer me any financial aid because of the fact that I already have a 4-year degree but I was able to get $10,500 in an unsubsudized loan for this upcoming 2008-2009 school year. Which is more than enough, considering the tuition here is darn near dirt cheap, like $1900 per semester if that.
You should still be eligible for scholarships even at the CC level. That's something you could look into.
Good luck!

I am going to a private school for a 2 year ADN program. everyone tells me that i don't qualify for federal loans, only private loans?

I am also told that the maximum federal loan amount for undergrad is $46,000, i took out $30,000 for my previous degree. so that should mean that i could still take out $16,000 for this program? some say i can still take out $16,000 and others say i can't take out anymore federal loans at all and can only take out private loans?

this is all so confusing!

MotivatedOne · May 28, 2008

some say i can still take out $16,000 and others say i can't take out anymore federal loans at all and can only take out private loans?
this is all so confusing!

Are you just talking to people or have you submitted a FAFSA application and gotten a letter back from the school?