FAFSA 600% Lifetime Eligibility: Can I use remaining aid for a second degree in nursing?

Yes, you can absolutely use your remaining FAFSA eligibility for a second bachelor's degree in nursing! The 600% Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) limit is based on your total aid received, not the number of degrees. Each full-time academic year uses approximately 100% of your Pell Grant eligibility, so your 280% remaining could cover almost 3 years of your nursing program. The important things to remember: - Your school must participate in the federal aid program - You must maintain satisfactory academic progress - Some schools may classify you as a "second degree student" which could affect institutional scholarships - Dependent/independent status still applies based on your age and circumstances I'd recommend speaking with the financial aid office at the nursing program you're considering to understand how they handle second-degree students specifically.

my cousin did this!!! he got a psychology degree first then went back for engineering with his leftover fafsa money. but i think some of the gen ed credits carried over so he didnt need as much $$ for the 2nd degree

BE CAREFUL WITH THIS PLAN!! I tried to do exactly what you're describing (switch from business to healthcare) and it turned into a NIGHTMARE with financial aid. My second degree was classified as "post-baccalaureate" and suddenly I wasn't eligible for certain grants, only loans!!! The financial aid counselor said something about "degree-seeking status" affecting my aid package even though I had LEU remaining. Different schools have COMPLETELY different policies on how they handle second bachelor's degrees. Some treat you like a transfer student, others have a whole separate classification with different aid eligibility. CALL BEFORE YOU COMMIT!!!

The previous responses cover the basics, but I'll add some important technical details since I work in financial aid: 1. Your 600% Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) applies specifically to Pell Grants, not all types of federal aid 2. For subsidized loans, there's a separate 150% limit called SULA (Subsidized Usage Limit Applies) 3. For second bachelor's degrees, your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation remains the same, but your Cost of Attendance (COA) and resulting aid package may differ 4. Some schools have specific policies for second-degree students that can affect your aid package despite having LEU remaining I recommend checking your current LEU at studentaid.gov (Federal Student Aid Dashboard) to see your precise remaining eligibility. Then speak directly with the nursing program's financial aid office.

I spent 3 hours on hold trying to talk to someone at Federal Student Aid about this exact situation last month. When I finally reached someone, they confirmed what others have said - yes, you can use remaining eligibility for a second bachelor's degree, but each school has their own policies about how they package aid for second-degree students. If you're having trouble getting through to FSA, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me skip the phone queue. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Definitely worth it because the agent was able to pull up my exact remaining eligibility and explain my options.

I just completed a second bachelor's in nursing after previously getting a biology degree! Here's what I learned: - Yes, you can absolutely use remaining FAFSA eligibility - Your second degree may not qualify for certain school-specific scholarships - You might get classified differently at some institutions ("second degree" vs "post-bac" vs "continuing education") - Most nursing programs have additional scholarship opportunities through healthcare partners - Some employers (especially hospitals) offer tuition assistance for nursing students Since nursing is considered high-need, you might qualify for additional nursing-specific grants and loan forgiveness programs that weren't available for your business degree. Definitely research those!

doesnt the fafsa depend on if ur dependent or independent? im confused how ppl are talking about using 600% when dont u have to qualify every year based on parents income? (sorry if this is a dumb question

One additional consideration: If you're planning to go into nursing, look into the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program. If you work in a critical shortage facility after graduation, they'll repay up to 85% of your qualified nursing education loans. This could be very valuable if you need to take out loans to supplement your remaining FAFSA eligibility. Also, check your state's nursing incentive programs. Many states have special grants and loan forgiveness specifically for nursing students due to the ongoing shortage.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's currently in a similar situation! I'm using my remaining FAFSA eligibility for a second degree in computer science after finishing my English degree. A few things I've learned: 1. Some schools have "second degree seeking" as a separate application category - make sure you're applying under the right classification 2. Your academic transcript evaluation might take longer since they need to review what credits transfer 3. Priority registration can sometimes be affected (you might register after first-time degree seekers) 4. Work-study opportunities might be more limited for second-degree students The financial aid part has worked out fine for me - I had about 250% LEU remaining and it's covering most of my program costs. Just make sure to stay on top of your SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) requirements since they can be stricter for students who already have a degree. Good luck with your nursing program research! Healthcare is such a rewarding field and the job security is amazing right now.

As someone who works at a community college with a popular nursing program, I can confirm everything others have said about using remaining FAFSA eligibility for a second degree! We see this situation frequently. A few practical tips from what I've observed: - Apply early to nursing programs - they're competitive and many have waiting lists - Consider starting with prerequisite courses at a community college if you need them, then transferring to a 4-year program (often more cost-effective) - Look into accelerated BSN programs specifically designed for students who already have a bachelor's degree - they're usually 12-18 months instead of 4 years - Some hospitals in my area offer "nurse extern" programs that provide tuition assistance in exchange for a work commitment after graduation The nursing shortage is real, so schools and employers are generally very supportive of career changers entering the field. Your business background could actually be valuable - many nurses move into administrative or management roles where that knowledge would be helpful! Don't let the financial aid complexity discourage you from pursuing this if it's what you want to do. The math works with your remaining eligibility, and nursing has excellent job prospects and earning potential.

Just want to echo what others have said and add that timing can be really important for your financial aid! Since you're graduating next spring, make sure to submit your FAFSA for the nursing program as soon as possible after October 1st (when the new FAFSA opens for the following academic year). I made the mistake of waiting too long when I did my career change, and even though I had plenty of LEU remaining, some of the better aid packages were already awarded to students who applied earlier. Also, if there's a gap between finishing your business degree and starting nursing school, keep in mind that your dependency status might change if you turn 24 during that time - which could actually work in your favor if your parents have higher income. One more tip: document everything! Keep records of your current LEU usage, any correspondence with financial aid offices, and program requirements. It makes the whole process so much smoother when you're dealing with multiple schools and comparing options. You've got this! Career changes can be stressful but nursing is such a stable field with great opportunities.