Can I get FAFSA funding again with $100k existing student loan debt for a new program?

Yes, you can potentially get more federal aid even with existing student loan debt. Here's what you need to know: 1. Federal loan limits are based on your dependency status and year in school, not the total amount you've borrowed. 2. However, you will need to be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Since you dropped out, you might not be meeting these standards at your previous school. Each school sets their own SAP policy. 3. You'll need to ensure you're not in default on any of your current federal loans. 4. For the 2025-2026 aid year, the FAFSA will calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI) based on your financial information, which determines aid eligibility regardless of previous borrowing. I recommend contacting the financial aid office at the nursing program you're interested in to discuss your specific situation.

I was in a kinda similar situation (dropped out of engineering with about 75k debt) and went back for accounting 4 years later. was able to get more loans but had to write an appeal letter explaining my previous academic performance. they made me take 2 classes and get Bs before they would give me full financial aid again

they won't give u more loans if ur in default and u probably won't get grants either way with that much debt already. FAFSA has aggregate loan limits FYI, check studentaid.gov for ur specific limit but its probably like $57,500 for undergrad and $138,500 for grad. but those r just for direct loans not plus loans

The big question is whether you're in default on your current loans. If you are, you'll need to get out of default first before qualifying for new aid. You can do this through rehabilitation (9 on-time payments) or consolidation. If you're not in default, then as others have said, you'll primarily be dealing with SAP issues from your previous enrollment. Also, nursing programs often have additional scholarship opportunities through hospitals and healthcare organizations that might not be available for other majors. Be sure to research those as well.

I tried calling Federal Student Aid about a similar situation last month and was on hold for literally 2.5 HOURS before getting disconnected. Then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in under 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Honestly worth it to get specific answers about your situation directly from FSA. They were able to tell me exactly what I needed to do to regain eligibility with my previous loan situation.

Been thru this!!! The academic progress requirements were my biggest hurdle. My old school had me at a 1.8 GPA when I left and my new program required a 2.0 minimum to transfer. Had to take community college classes for a year to bring up my overall GPA before I could get aid again. Sooooo frustrating that my past mistakes kept following me but I eventually got there. Now in my 2nd year of nursing!!

One important thing that hasn't been mentioned is that you need to be aware of the 150% rule for federal aid. This means you can only receive federal aid for 150% of the published length of your program. So if your nursing degree is supposed to take 4 years, you could receive aid for up to 6 years total. However, if you've already used a significant amount of time receiving aid in your previous program, that counts toward this limit. You should check your loan history on studentaid.gov to see what percentage you've already used.

Since you mentioned nursing specifically - look into the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program. If you're willing to work in a critical shortage facility after graduation, they'll pay up to 85% of your qualified nursing education debt. This might be a good option given your existing debt load. Also, many hospitals now offer tuition assistance or reimbursement if you work for them while in school. Some will even pay for your entire nursing degree if you commit to working for them for a certain period after graduation.

Another option to consider is applying for a financial aid appeal based on your change in academic program. Many schools will consider reinstating your financial aid eligibility if you can demonstrate that your new program aligns with your career goals and that you've addressed whatever issues led to your previous academic difficulties. When you apply to nursing programs, be upfront about your academic history in your personal statement. Explain what you learned from your previous experience and how you've grown since then. Admissions committees often appreciate honesty and can see the maturity that comes from overcoming challenges. Also, don't overlook state-specific financial aid programs for nursing students. Many states have critical shortage areas for nurses and offer loan forgiveness or grant programs that could help supplement federal aid. Check with your state's higher education agency for these opportunities. Good luck with your nursing journey - it's never too late to pursue your passion!

Welcome to the community! I see you're getting some great advice here already. As someone who works in financial aid, I wanted to add a few practical steps you can take right now: 1. **Get your National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) report** at studentaid.gov to see exactly where you stand with federal loan limits and usage. 2. **Contact the financial aid office at your target nursing schools BEFORE applying** - they can do a preliminary review of your situation and let you know what documentation you'll need for a SAP appeal. 3. **Consider starting with prerequisite courses at a community college** - this is often cheaper and can help you rebuild your academic record while you sort out the financial aid situation. 4. **Look into your state's nursing workforce development programs** - many states offer special funding for career changers entering healthcare fields. The nursing field desperately needs people right now, so there are often more funding opportunities available than for other programs. Don't let your past academic struggles discourage you - I've seen many students successfully restart their education journey after similar setbacks. Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions about the financial aid process!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - dropped out of my psychology program with about $45k in debt and now looking to get into nursing as well. From what I've learned through my research and talking to financial aid counselors, here are a few additional things to consider: **Academic Fresh Start Programs**: Some states offer "academic fresh start" or "academic renewal" programs that essentially wipe your previous GPA slate clean if enough time has passed. Texas actually has this - you might qualify if it's been several years since you were enrolled. **Nursing-Specific Financial Aid**: Beyond the NURSE Corps program mentioned earlier, look into the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) scholarships. They offer full tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend in exchange for working in underserved areas after graduation. **Credit Transfer Strategy**: Since you were in business administration, some of your general education credits might transfer to a nursing program, which could reduce the total cost and time needed to complete your degree. One thing that really helped me was scheduling appointments with financial aid counselors at multiple nursing programs I was interested in. They were surprisingly helpful and gave me school-specific advice about my situation. Don't give up - the nursing shortage means schools and employers are often more flexible with non-traditional students who have previous debt. You've got this!

Just wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - look into the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Foundation scholarships. They specifically target career-changing students entering nursing programs. The application process is pretty straightforward and they offer several thousand dollars in awards. Also, don't overlook your local hospitals' HR departments. Many have "grow your own" programs where they'll help fund your nursing education in exchange for a work commitment after graduation. Some even let you work as a tech or aide while you're in school, which gives you income plus relevant experience. One practical tip: when you do your FAFSA for nursing school, make sure to apply as early as possible (October 1st for the following academic year). Schools often have limited funds for students with complex financial aid situations, and it's typically first-come, first-served for institutional aid. The fact that you're being so thoughtful about researching this thoroughly shows you're approaching it with the right mindset this time. Best of luck with your nursing career - the field needs dedicated people like you!

As someone who went through a similar journey (dropped out of my first program with significant debt and later returned for nursing), I wanted to share a few things that really made a difference for me: **Start with your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)** - this will show you exactly how much federal aid eligibility you have remaining. Don't assume you're maxed out until you see the actual numbers. **Consider an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) first** - many community colleges have excellent 2-year RN programs that cost significantly less than 4-year BSN programs. You can always do an RN-to-BSN bridge program later, often with employer tuition assistance. **Look into your state's nursing loan forgiveness programs** - almost every state has some version of this, especially for nurses willing to work in rural or underserved areas. These can be incredibly generous. **Don't underestimate employer partnerships** - I ended up getting hired as a patient care technician at a hospital while taking prerequisites, and they ended up paying for 75% of my nursing program in exchange for a 2-year work commitment. The key thing that changed my perspective was realizing that nursing programs WANT career-changers. You bring life experience and maturity that traditional students often lack. Your previous struggles can actually be an asset in your personal statement if you frame them as learning experiences that led you to nursing. You've got this! The healthcare field needs people who are truly committed to the profession.

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I dropped out of my computer science program about 3 years ago with around $65k in federal loans and have been working in retail since then. I've been thinking about nursing too, especially after seeing how in-demand nurses are and hearing about all these funding opportunities specific to healthcare. One thing I wanted to ask the group - has anyone had experience with Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans affecting their ability to get new federal aid? I'm currently on an IBR plan for my existing loans, and I'm wondering if that impacts eligibility for additional funding when I go back to school. Also, for those who successfully transitioned into nursing programs - how long did the whole process take from deciding to go back to school to actually starting classes? I'm trying to figure out if I should plan on a year of prerequisite work or if there's a way to move faster. The encouragement in this thread is amazing. It's so reassuring to know that there are pathways forward even with significant existing debt. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!