I have a BA in history. I’m thinking of going back to school to get a nursing degree. I already have student loans that I’m paying back as a result of my BA, and I really don’t want any more. But will the govt pay any tuition for someone with a 4 yr degree to go back and get a 2 yr degree? even in nursing?
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Yes and no.
No, the rules and regulations of the Pell Grant program make applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree ineligible. That’s also true of the FSEOG grant program, because you have to be Pell-eligible to receive an FSEOG grant. I’m not positive, but I do believe that you can qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program, despite having a previous degree.
Yes, but the part that you don’t want to hear – degree holders are eligible to receive additional Perkins and Stafford loans, so long as you have not borrowed the lifetime maximums of the lending programs.
Yes, but not exactly what you were expecting to hear – the government offers a loan FORGIVENESS program, for medical professionals, including registered nurses (but not LPNs), who will sign a contract to go to work in communities that are under-served. Certain areas of the country, mostly rural and inner-city have been designated by the government as “high need” communities.
If you are accepted to the program, the government’s Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program will pay 60 percent of your educational loan balance if you serve for two years at a critical shortage facility. If you’re selected to work for a third year, the program can slice another 25 percent off your loan balance.
One caveat, the loans have to be nursing school loans, so your previous loans won’t qualify for forgiveness.
Also, keep in mind that this is a competitive, selective program – only about 7 percent of last year’s applicants were accepted for the program.
You can find more information about that program here: http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm
Generally, though, the answer is “no”. The government does not offer special financial aid to students who want to return to school, even if the planned course of study is nursing.
One more thing to research – because nursing is a “critical shortage” profession, there have been isolated instances in the past where a particular hospital or hospital group has offered to pay the nursing school expenses of selected applicants who will agree to work for that facility after graduation. You may wish to call your state’s nursing licensing body to find out if they have any information about a program like that in your area.
Good luck to you!