St. Joseph School of Nursing participates in federal funding programs such as the Pell Grant, Federal subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans, and the Parent Plus loan, to help students cover the cost of their education. Eligibility for any of the aid programs below is determined when the student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (see How Do I apply for aid?) and the expected family contribution (EFC) is determined.

Types of Financial Aid:

Federal Pell Grant: This type of aid is based on need and available to undergraduate students, who don’t have a bachelor’s degree. It does not need to be repaid. The maximum eligibility amount changes from year to year.   

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford loan: This is a government subsidized low interest loan. The government pays the interest portion to a lender of your choice while the student is enrolled at least halftime (6 credits). Eligibility is determined when the student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Annual loan limits range from 3,500 – 4,500. Repayment begins usually six months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half time. The current interest rate for 2010/11 is 5.6% fixed.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan: Under this loan program the student is responsible for paying the interest portion to the lender.   Effective July 1, 2008, under new regulation H.R. 5715, dependent students are eligible for a federal unsubsidized of 2,000 annually.  Independent students are eligible for $6,000 during their 1^st and 2^nd year.  Students must be enrolled at least half time (6 credits). The current interest rate for 2010/11 is 6.8% fixed.

The Federal Direct Plus loan: This loan program allows parents to borrow money on behalf of the student up to the cost of education less any other financial aid. Eligibility is based on credit history.  The current interest rate for 2010/11 is 8.5% fixed. Repayment begins 45 days after the first disbursement of the loan.

Completing your Entrance/Exit Counseling on-line: Federal regulations require students borrowing a federal loan to complete a loan entrance and exit counseling session.  Please follow the links below to complete.

• For Entrance Counseling, click here.
• For Exit Counseling, click here.

Eligibility:

• Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident

• Be admitted to the program

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on line at                      www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Our federal school code is 015016. Note: If you have any problems completing the FAFSA, call 1-800-433-3243 for customer support.

• Be enrolled at least half time (6 credits)

• Not be in default or owe a refund on a federal grant or loan

How To Apply:

Continuous changes in technology have made it easier for students to apply for federal aid over the Internet - it is fast, secure and easy!

The first step is to gather all the documents you are going to need such as: your federal tax returns (and your parent's if you are a dependent student), w-2’s, total amounts in savings/checking, cash, investment totals, amount(s) of non-taxable income and benefits, and/or total of social security benefits and/or temporary assistance for needy families benefits (TANF).

Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to begin completing your FAFSA application online; follow their instructions carefully. Our federal school code is 015016. When you put in our school code, your FAFSA information is transmitted days later to our financial aid office. We’ll use it to determine your eligibility for all types of aid available at St. Joseph School of Nursing. Please keep in mind that your online FAFSA application is not complete until you SIGN IT.

Note: If you or your family have special circumstances that you need to discuss with the Financial Aid Coordinator please call 603-595-3948 to make an appointment.

After you are admitted to the program, we’ll send you an award letter letting you know what type of aid you’ll receive and the amounts.

Copyright 2011 St. Joseph School of Nursing