<p>Hi. I am a single, widowed mother of 2, one son in high school, one a freshman at a 2 year college. I received my bachelors degree in 1985 (long ago) and have taught for quite some time. My husband suddenly passed away a few years ago. I have been teaching part time, as well as other little jobs to help make ends meet. With the bad economy, I know teaching does not offer me much in employment. I have qualified for a rural nurses program as my first degree was in Biology. How can I get financial aide? Fafsa people said I qualify for no federal aide. My sons and I all had SSI survivor payments, but only receive payment now for youngest son. What options are out there to help me go back to school for 2 years (and 2 quarters for prereqs)? It will be hard to go to school and work full time and any aide will be helpful.</p>
<p>You don’t qualify for any federal grant aid as grants like the Pell are not available once you have a bachelors degree. I would have thought you would be eligible for some federal loans though.</p>
<p>There are several programs, particularly for those going into rural or under-served areas.</p>
<p>I would start by talking with the folks at the school of nursing that has admitted you. This may also provide some contacts for your state:
[Find</a> HRSA Grantees](<a href=“http://granteefind.hrsa.gov/searchbyprogram.aspx?select=D1N&index=14&year=]Find”>http://granteefind.hrsa.gov/searchbyprogram.aspx?select=D1N&index=14&year=)</p>
<p>There are also loan forgiveness programs that may help make this affordable for you. </p>
<p>If you don’t get the answer you need at one college, please try a different nursing school. </p>
<p>(Also, I’d rather strongly suggest you make sure you’re dealing with a non-profit nursing school, like one run by a community college, state college, state university, or private university, NOT a for-profit college.) The biology undergraduate degree ought to be really helpful, though you might need to undertake some review of biology and chemistry unless you’ve been teaching those subjects.</p>
<p>Good luck – your plans sound like very smart ones for the future.</p>
<p>File the FAFSA. You won’t qualify for grant aid, but you can get loans – even a subsidized Stafford if you’re eligible based on you financial situation.</p>