FAFSA question

[ccgirl]

Hi Everyone,

I have just found out that I was being laid off (for a third time).

I am just devastated as I am the primary financial support for my family.

I am looking to take this time to do what I have always wanted to be when I "grew UP"; a nurse.

Some background, I already hold a BS so I know that eliminates some of the grants.

I filled out the FAFSA and my EFC was 20,996. This went by last years number swhen I did have a job. This year, I will collecting unemployment so my salary will be greatly decreased.

I plan on trying to get into an LPN program. The tuition is $9000 but the COA of $20,560. When I filled out the FAFS, it said I may be eligible for students loans in the amount of $9500.

My question is that would I get those loans since my EFC is higher than the COA of the program? I wasn't sure if it was only need based or if I would still be eligible to get the loans regardless of my EFC.

Many thanks!

 

[the5marions]

Talk to the financial aid office at the school you want to attend. The FAFSA,as you kow, uses last years income tax information. The instructions always tell you that if your financial status changes you should talk with a financial aid advisor and explain your situation. They may also have information on other scholarships, grants loans etc. that you might qualify for.

 

[FINFAN]

Hi...sorry to hear fo your pending job loss, but happy you know what path you are heading down!
Students Loans can be in various forms.
There is the Subsidized Stafford, Unsubsidized Stafford, Pell Grant, Private, and of course Merit aide.
The Staffords are a common loan as many qualify, but you are right, given that your EFC is higher I would suggest calling the schools FA department directly and asking. Staffords are a loan so need to be paid back and have a maximum amount that can be borrowed each year. When my DD was attending college, the max she could borrow on combined Subsidized/Unsub Stafford was as follows:
Freshman year: $5500
Sophomore: $6500
Junior: $7500
Senior: $7500

maxing out at $27,000 for her 4 years.
The interest rate is different for Subsidized vs. unsub...ranging from (at the time) 6.8-8 (I think)

Usually a college uses these amounts when tallying the "total amount of financial aid"..so while it may look like it is lowering the overall cost, it is merely stating where the finds will be coming from to pay for the bills. Anything short of the finacial aid package is needed to be found elsewhere, be it personal savings, private student loan, home equity, Uncle Bobby, lol....wherever you can to cover costs. Since the school will see that your EFC covers the COA, could be tricky.

 

[ccgirl]

I am going to an open house for the program this week so I will ask them.

I should also add that I took out approximately $22,000 to obtain my Bachelor's degree. Since this is a certificate program and not a Bachelor's program there isn't the standard Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior standings. Would my original $22,000 preclude me from further loans?

Thank you.

 

[mrzrich]

Do you work in the health field or have you ever? If you haven't I first suggest you talk with some nurses before you leap. Its a pretty thankless job, and since you are going for LPN, you won't even make much money for such a tough career. I don't mean to discourage you, I just want to make sure you understand. The paper work never ends. The case loads and acuity of the patients keeps getting tougher. There's blood, and pee, and puke, and puss and poop. Especially poop. Lots of poop.


I am a nurse and I went to school pretty much for free. I addition to grants, I was sponsored by a local hospital. They paid for my tuition and my books. I return I had to work for them for the first 2 years after I graduated. I needed a job any way, so this worked out great. They paid for me to go to school and I had a job waiting for me when I got out.


Call your local hospitals recruiting departments and see if any of them do this.

 

[FINFAN]

I am going to an open house for the program this week so I will ask them.

I should also add that I took out approximately $22,000 to obtain my Bachelor's degree. Since this is a certificate program and not a Bachelor's program there isn't the standard Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior standings. Would my original $22,000 preclude me from further loans?

Thank you.

I am really not sure, I think talking with them will clear things up for you (tho I know having answers now would really help you with planning)I would email the FA office ahead of the open house...sometimes the reps at open houses are more general, and usually not many FA reps are there (tho before I get flamed, they may have that covered, just sayin') good luck, I have found FA to be very friendly and helpful!

 

[ccgirl]

Do you work in the health field or have you ever? If you haven't I first suggest you talk with some nurses before you leap. Its a pretty thankless job, and since you are going for LPN, you won't even make much money for such a tough career. I don't mean to discourage you, I just want to make sure you understand. The paper work never ends. The case loads and acuity of the patients keeps getting tougher. There's blood, and pee, and puke, and puss and poop. Especially poop. Lots of poop.


I am a nurse and I went to school pretty much for free. I addition to grants, I was sponsored by a local hospital. They paid for my tuition and my books. I return I had to work for them for the first 2 years after I graduated. I needed a job any way, so this worked out great. They paid for me to go to school and I had a job waiting for me when I got out.

Call your local hospitals recruiting departments and see if any of them do this.

I have always been in the healthcare field in one way or another. I have worked as a CNA many moons ago and have also received my EMT certification moons ago as well. Since that time, I have been in Healthcare IT. I know it's not directly patient related but it helps somewhat to have all that computer experience I am thinking/hoping.

I checked my local hospitals, I have a friend that is the Manager of HR and they only hire RN. They do not sponsor candidates as they have plenty of candidates that have their RN. However, nursing homes around here (I have heard) are hiring LPN's. I know of a friend who got her LPN and ended up being a charge nurse on an Alzheimer's unit of a nursing home. It seems there are not a lot of RN's that want to work in a nursing home. I know the pay is less but, honestly, I would rather make less money in something I actually like and want to be doing.

 

[kayladan04]

I'm a LPN going back to school right now for my RN. Around here LPNs are only really used in nursing homes and in Dr. offices (much less pay in a dr. office).
Talk to the financial aid office. My school has a form to fill out if we think we need more aid, have a job change,ect.
I receive grant money. If I don't use it all on my class tuition I receive a refund of the amount leftover. I can use this towards books, uniforms, ect.
There is also the "loan" money. They will tell you how much you'll get in total and then they divide it among the quarters/semesters.
Apply for any scholarships you can!
Also since your laid off check with Job & Family services. There are a few students in my class who are on unemployment and they receive additional assistance with schooling.

Also ask if their 1 year program is truly 1 year. Around here many schools advertise a 1 or 2 year program but it takes alot longer due to waiting lists. Yes it could be done in that frame if you were accepted right into the nursing program but many have a waiting list so you start by taking all your prerequisites and then once your accepted in the nursing program you just have to worry about your "nursing" classes.

 

[ccgirl]

I'm a LPN going back to school right now for my RN. Around here LPNs are only really used in nursing homes and in Dr. offices (much less pay in a dr. office).
Talk to the financial aid office. My school has a form to fill out if we think we need more aid, have a job change,ect.
I receive grant money. If I don't use it all on my class tuition I receive a refund of the amount leftover. I can use this towards books, uniforms, ect.
There is also the "loan" money. They will tell you how much you'll get in total and then they divide it among the quarters/semesters.
Apply for any scholarships you can!
Also since your laid off check with Job & Family services. There are a few students in my class who are on unemployment and they receive additional assistance with schooling.

Also ask if their 1 year program is truly 1 year. Around here many schools advertise a 1 or 2 year program but it takes alot longer due to waiting lists. Yes it could be done in that frame if you were accepted right into the nursing program but many have a waiting list so you start by taking all your prerequisites and then once your accepted in the nursing program you just have to worry about your "nursing" classes.

Thank you for the suggestions. I am going to unemployment some day this week to check on that.

The LPN program is a 10 month program. There is no waiting list. Either you are in or you are not. That's why I'm so nervous.

I plan on working at a nursing home so I am hoping I'll be able to find employment. The first HUGE step is getting accepted into a program. The one I want to get into is only $9500. The others are $18,000 and $24,000.

 

[mrzrich]

Really? It didn't cost that much to become an RN here.

 

[tinkmom2]

I went to college nearly 20 years ago but never graduated. My school is taking into account all the credits I have ever taken for the 150 percent rule. I have been taking extra courses to go onto the Nursing Program. I was able to transfer many of the pre req courses I took at my other college which cut down on the time. I applied for about 10 scholarships but the competition was really bad. There were about 1500 people applying for 50 or so scholarships.
I am starting out in Phlebotomy. It's a year program but I did it part time and am working. I plan on going onto Nursing. Somehow I have to find time to do the Nursing Assistant Program from 8-4:30 5 days a week. I start my Phlebotomy internship in a few weeks and hope to be working when I graduate in May.

My school has a petitioning process and as the PP's said, you may not get in right away.

We had a rough time this year too. I was looking for something in health care that I could get a job immediately and that paid well.

 

[SarahKate]

I highly recommend investigating the RN program. Maybe it's more regional but not many LPNs are hired in our area anymore. Those jobs are getting hard to come by. If you can swing it, try an ADN program. You can get done in 2 yrs and start working. Check with your local hospitals to see what they offer. My hospital has an educational grant program where they'll pay up to $20,000 of your costs in exchange for a work commitment once you graduate. I think there are also displaced worker programs out there for people who have lost their jobs and using the opportunity to find a new career.

 

[robsmom]

Have you looked into post graduate bachelor's of nursing programs. There are accelerated programs specifically designed for those that already have some sort of undergraduate degree. You do need to have some science prerequisites, which may be a problem with your timeframe/job lost. My cousin got her Bachelor's in nursing in one year. It was a full time program and she had to take some loans to do it. She did prepare by taking a few classes she was missing from the prerequisites at night while she was still working. I just suggest looking at all your options. Since you already have a degree and credits, your path to an RN or BSN may be shorter than you think. The future earnings of the hire degree might make it worth a longer effort than the LPN program.

 

[Lisa71]

Go to and NLN accredited ADN program to get your RN in about 2 years from a community college in your area. Then use the hospital you work at an their tuition reimbursement for your BSN. This is a sure way to work at a great job and earn income while you get your degree!

 

[cdejean10]

Hi, a former LPN here for 12 years. Went back to school in 2009 for my ADN at a local CC, which was very affordable. PLEASE reconsider the RN route. I strongly encourage you to look into an RN program post previous Bachelor's or the CC ADN route. LPN vs RN is virtually same job responsibilities, but the financial compensation is ridiculously unbalanced. I paid OOP for my almost my entire nursing education and spent less than 10k. Made 1 loan for last semester of RN program because I simply couldn't work full time and handle school. Good luck to you. Realizing a childhood dream is amazing, I too always wanted to be a nurse since childhood. The nursing profession needs people with a true calling for helping others.

One more thing - some hospitals will allow those considering a career in healthcare to shadow a nurse or other healthcare professional free of charge. This will give you "A day in the life" experience.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

You might want to double check with your unemplyment office, too.

In our state, you have to be actively seeking employment to collect benefits. I think enrolling in college full time (don't know if the program you're seeking is or not) may indicate you are not actively seeking employment. I believe if you were already going to college and working it is different or if you are only enrolling part time.

I knew someone who tried this years ago and it did not end well. Things may have changed and it depends on the state, I suppose.

 

[ccgirl]

You might want to double check with your unemplyment office, too.

In our state, you have to be actively seeking employment to collect benefits. I think enrolling in college full time (don't know if the program you're seeking is or not) may indicate you are not actively seeking employment. I believe if you were already going to college and working it is different or if you are only enrolling part time.

I knew someone who tried this years ago and it did not end well. Things may have changed and it depends on the state, I suppose.

It does depend on the state. I know of people who were paid while they went on to a certificate program. It does have to be approved. They consider the program part of the "looking for work" guidelines. So, I do have to check on it.

 

[angierae]

It does depend on the state. I know of people who were paid while they went on to a certificate program. It does have to be approved. They consider the program part of the "looking for work" guidelines. So, I do have to check on it.

Yes, in some state, going back to school in a program that will finish in a certain amount of time and is on the list of "approved" programs will count as "looking for work."

 

[ccgirl]

I spoke to the Financial Aid officer so I wanted to provide an update for those that were interested.

My EFC and the COA (cost of attendance) at the LPN program were almost equal.

On my FAFSA, it said that I may qualify for a Stafford loan of $9,500.

As I already have my Bachelor's this precludes me from being eligible for a Pell Grant.

Since my EFC is so high that would limit how much in subsidized loans I can get.

I am eligible for $3500 in subsidized and $6000 in unsubsidized Stafford loans. This is great as the tuition for the program is $9500 so this will pay for that!