I am interested in pursuing nursing as my second career choice. I already have a degree in math. However, when I emailed financial aid, I was told to declare as a major to qualify for aid. From what I think, I can’t take out loans just for two classes or have the aid help. I want to take two classes Gen Bio and A&P 1 with labs this semester just to get started. Is there any way to avoid declaring the major or from what other people who did the career change just pay the prereq courses from savings? I want to get into an ABSN program but with all the necessary work just to get aid. I don’t know if this new path is worth it.
Just want to clarify that you already graduated with a 4 year degree in math?
When you say that you emailed financial aid, what does this mean? Also- it is unclear to me what you mean when you say you were told to declare a major. Where are you declaring a major?
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I emailed financial aid asking if I can apply for aid for just two classes. They said I have to be a matriculated student and start the process again meaning choosing my major. So If I would have to pick Nursing A.A.S. to get aid.
Yes, I got a B.S. in math and A.S. in General Studies.
What financial aid did you send an email to if you are not currently a student? And why would you have to choose a major if you are applying to ABSN programs?
My advice is to look at a few ABSN programs of interest and see what prerequisites they require. It is not uncommon for 1 program to have a prerequisite that another program does not ask for.
Once you have a list of schools and prerequisites that you need to take, you can begin to take them. Many ABSN programs allow classes to be taken through community colleges- I would ask. You can also see what CCs, if any, have two year nursing programs
You will probably be paying for these classes on your own. Once you apply to ABSN programs you can apply for aid (Fafsa).
Keep in mind that an ABSN program is considered an undergraduate degree- you need to do some research/contact Fafsa and find out what aid is available (I don’t know). Some schools have accelerated masters programs for non-nurses - this opens up loans for graduate students.
The financial aid office email.
I took two classes during the summer like in 2018 or 2019 but I didn’t use my student email because I don’t have access to it. This college is not the college where I got my degree. I got my degree at SUNY Albany. The college where I want to take my courses is SUNY Morrisville.
So you emailed SUNY Morrisville and asked about FA even though you are not currently a student there?
I just looked at the website and it looks like you can set up a virtual meeting with somebody from FA. I recommend that you consider doing this and ask if any aid is available for students in your situation.
You can also contact Fafsa and ask about financial aid for students who already graduated from college and need to take prerequisites toward another degree.
Students I know who took these classes paid for them from their savings.
I completed an ABSN program - from my experience, there is not really financial aid available for these classes - you do not need to complete another major, and the options are to pay out of pocket - with or without a loan.
I worked with the admissions department at my ABSN school to determine what courses would be acceptable - this was very useful!
My suggestion is to find the least expensive courses that will fulfill the prerequisites that you need for your ABSN program.
Good Luck!
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You cannot receive a Pell Grant if you already have a bachelor’s degree. You may be eligible for Direct Loans if you haven’t already borrowed the maximum amount. Otherwise, paying out of pocket would be your best alternative. I wouldn’t recommend private loans. I assume you’re looking at the AAS degree at Morrisville, since they don’t have an ABSN. Some of your gen eds from Albany may transfer, but most courses you would need for a nursing degree will be new. You may be able to take Biology and A&P at a community college or online (such as Portage Learning), if that would be less expensive. Just make sure the courses would transfer to Morrisville.
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I emailed Morrisville because to get into an ABSN you need to take the prereq required for the program. So, my goal is to start my prereq classes at Morrisville and once I complete it. I will apply to the ABSN programs. Considering other posts, it seems to either pay out of pocket or avoid taking out any loans.
UBFFALO has an ABSN program
It doesn’t look like Morrisville has an ABSN program, but it does have a 2 year nursing degree that prepares you for the nursing exam and allows you to work. NYS law requires you to get the BSN within 10 years and Morrisville offers an online RN to BSN program.
Are you considering this? Or are you only looking into ABSN programs?
As noted, prerequisites seem to be paid for out of pocket and it is best to choose the least costly options. You can contact programs and ask about CCs.
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UB does have an accelerated program. Did you take out the maximum undergrad loans while at Albany?
I never said Morrisville had an ABSN program. I am only going to take the courses that are required from the ABSN programs like UB or the University of Rochester. For instance, this is UofR requirements.
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (Human Specific) Grade of B or above, preferred completion within five years before matriculation
• Microbiology with lab Grade of B or above, preferred completion within five years prior to matriculation
• Nutrition (Human Specific)
• Human Growth & Development
• Statistics
I would compare costs of the ABSN programs and what type of aid is available.
Yeah, UB seems more affordable for me
I agree. UR will be expensive. Would you commute from home or will you need housing?
There is no federal grant aid (Pell and SEOG) for second bachelor degree programs, but the Direct Loan is available if the student hasn’t already reached the maximum limit. The least expensive way to get a BSN for someone who already has a bachelor’s degree is to get an nursing associates degree from a local community college and then do an RN to BSN program (usually online but some are in person). Often RN to BSN programs are paid for by hospitals for their employees.
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I think I maxed out my limit because I went to CC for three years and four year at university
Some programs offer an MSN so that graduate loans are available.
I agree that starting at a CC and getting an associates would be the least costly option.
Commuting from home will be like 3 hours. So I will need housing. I don’t know how much is the rent
I saw that but you still need to get the prereqs done for the MSN program