School of Nursing Admissions Financial Aid Piece

GEISINGER SCHOOL OF NURSING

Associate degree in nursing

Understanding financial aid Choosing Geisinger School of Nursing (GSON) means you chose a real-world, hands-on education that will lead to a rewarding nursing career in just two years.

Financial concerns don’t have to hold you back!

If you are looking into nursing school, there are many resources available to help make your nursing education affordable.

• 100% of 2018 diploma program grads were employed within one month of graduation • Average RN starting salary: $73,220 • In seven of the last eight years, our National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate for our diploma program has been 100%.

“ I’ve just started my career and have already been given leadership roles — one that includes teaching new nurses. Geisinger truly supports the growth and advancement of their nurses up the clinical ladder.”

— Kade Myers, RN ’20

Scholarships A variety of named scholarships are available to students each fall semester to help offset costs.

These include: •R obert & Sandy Metz Endowment •S arah Heintzelman Stoicheff Scholarship •C hapman Family Scholarship • Geisinger Lewistown Hospital Community Scholarship

studentaid.gov. Filing the FAFSA is free — if you see a fee, you are not on the correct website.

If this is your first time filing the FAFSA, you (and if dependent, a parent) must create an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA and future loan requirements. You can create an FSA ID at studentaid.gov. When filing your FAFSA, it’s recommended you use the IRS Data Retrieval Substantial support is available for Geisinger employees Tool, as it will assist you with completing your to obtain or advance their nursing education. Visit FAFSA more accurately. go.geisinger.edu/geisingerson.

Last, don’t forget to add our school code: G4167200.

You’re encouraged to apply for financial aid, as most You’ll need to renew your FAFSA each year beginning students are eligible for at least some type of assistance. Oct. 1.

To apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at

Grants Geisinger School of Nursing is approved to participate in the Federal Pell Grant and is seeking approval from the Pennsylvania State Grant and Special Programs.

Students are automatically considered for these grants based on information submitted on your FAFSA.

GI Bill educational benefits Using your GI Bill benefits and military tuition assistance at Geisinger School of Nursing: To apply for GI Bill® educational benefits, Chapter 30, Chapter 33, Chapter 35, and Chapters 1606 and 1607, Veterans Affairs requires a completed VA FORM 22-1990. For Chapter 31 complete

VA FORM 28-1905. The forms can be completed online at va.gov/education/how-to-apply.

Contact the VA certifying official, Edward Lahart, at elahart@som.geisinger.edu for assistance in using benefits.

Federal Direct Loan Program Geisinger School of Nursing is approved to participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program. Students may also consider private loans to bridge the gap to the cost of attendance.

The Federal Direct Loan is offered by the U.S. Department of Education. The type of loan is based on financial need. This is a low-interest loan, and the U.S. Department of Education is your lender.

You may be eligible for the following loan types: • A Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is available to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover educational costs. Interest does not accrue on this loan while you are enrolled in college. The 2022–2023 academic award year interest rate for this loan is 4.99%.

• A Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to eligible undergraduate students to help cover

educational costs. This loan is not based on need and accrues interest from the date of disbursement. The 2022–2023 academic award year interest rate for this loan is 4.99%.

• A Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan is for eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Eligibility is based on a credit check and not on financial need. Borrowers who have an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify. The 2022–2023 academic award year interest rate for this loan is 7.54%.

For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@som.geisinger.edu or visit geisinger.edu/son.