FAFSA eligibility with foreign bachelor's degree - can I get financial aid for second degree?

The answer is a bit complicated. Having a bachelor's degree doesn't automatically disqualify you from FAFSA, but it does limit what you can receive. With a prior bachelor's (even from abroad), you generally won't be eligible for Federal Pell Grants, but you can still qualify for Federal Direct Loans. The school will likely require your foreign transcripts to be evaluated by a credential evaluation service to determine the US equivalent of your degree. Your options include: 1. Federal Direct Loans (through FAFSA) 2. Scholarships specifically for nursing students 3. Private loans (though interest rates are higher) 4. Some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement if you commit to working there after graduation I recommend filling out the FAFSA anyway - you have nothing to lose by applying!

im in kinda the same boat! got my degree in canada and trying for a second degree in computer science. did the fafsa and only got offered loans, no grants. better than nothing i guess?

You should definitely apply for FAFSA regardless! I had a similar situation with a degree from Germany, and while I didn't get Pell Grants, I still qualified for some loans. The bigger issue you might face is getting your Portuguese degree properly evaluated - some schools are really strict about that. I had to use a service called ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) and it took about 3 weeks and cost around $200. Worth every penny though because without it, the school wouldn't accept any of my previous credits. Also, definitely look into nursing-specific scholarships. There are TONS of them out there, especially if you're willing to work in underserved areas after graduation.

FAFSA IS USELESS FOR SECOND DEGREES!!! I tried this last year and all they offered was high-interest loans that barely covered half my tuition. The system is designed to trap you in debt!! Foreign degree or US degree doesn't even matter - they just want to force you to take out private loans too. My advice? Look for employer programs where they'll pay for your education. Many hospitals are DESPERATE for nurses and will cover your education if you sign a contract to work for them for a few years. Much better than drowning in loans!!!

Having gone through this exact process with my international degree from the UK, let me save you a lot of headaches. Yes, you can get federal loans through FAFSA even with a prior international degree, but not grants. Here's what you need to do: 1. Get your Portuguese transcripts evaluated ASAP (I recommend WES or ECE) 2. Submit your FAFSA right away even while waiting for transcript evaluation 3. Contact your school's financial aid office - they often have school-specific scholarships 4. Look into NURSE Corps Scholarship Program if you're willing to work in underserved areas Also, as a nursing student, you might qualify for higher loan amounts under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for certain healthcare programs. The financial aid officer at your school would know if your program qualifies.

I've been trying to get answers from Federal Student Aid about a similar situation for WEEKS. Keep getting put on hold for hours then disconnected. Super frustrating when you're trying to make decisions about your future! Has anyone actually managed to speak to a real person there?

Also, don't forget to check if your nursing program is eligible for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding. They have specific programs for nursing students that can provide substantial financial support. The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) might be relevant if you're interested in becoming a nurse educator eventually. These options aren't affected by your previous degree status in the same way FAFSA grants are.

just wondering why ur doing another bachelors? have u looked into accelerated nursing programs for ppl with degrees in other fields? might be faster & cheaper

One more thing to consider: If your Portuguese degree isn't evaluated as equivalent to a US bachelor's degree (sometimes foreign degrees are evaluated at a different level), you might actually qualify for more aid options. It's worth getting the evaluation done professionally before making assumptions about your eligibility. Also, regardless of your FAFSA eligibility, fill out the CSS Profile if your school accepts it. Some schools use this for institutional aid decisions, and they often have different rules about prior degrees, especially international ones.

Someone told me that some state nursing boards won't even accept foreign educational credentials for licensure without jumping through a million hoops. Have you checked whether your Portuguese bachelor's will satisfy the prerequisites for nursing licensure in your state? Would be terrible to go through the whole program only to find out there are licensure issues. The whole system is designed to make things difficult for international students and immigrants honestly.

one thing i learned the hard way - even if fafsa says ur not eligible for grants, still fill out the fafsa form anyway! some schools and scholarship programs require a completed fafsa even for their own funding thats not federal aid

For nursing specifically, also look into the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. If you work in a critical shortage facility or in an area with a shortage of nurses after graduation, they can repay up to 85% of your nursing education loans. Many states also have their own nursing incentive programs with similar benefits. Another option: some hospitals have programs where they'll help pay for your education while you work for them part-time in a non-nursing role. Worth asking around at hospitals in your area!

I went through something very similar with my degree from India! Here's what I learned that might help you: 1. **Federal loans are still available** - You can get Direct Unsubsidized Loans even with a prior bachelor's degree. For graduate/professional programs like nursing, you can borrow up to $20,500 per year. 2. **State-specific aid** - Don't forget to check your state's financial aid programs. Many states have nursing-specific grants and scholarships that aren't affected by federal eligibility rules. 3. **Transcript evaluation timing** - Get this started NOW. I used WES and it took about 4 weeks during busy season. Some schools will let you enroll conditionally while waiting for the evaluation. 4. **Hospital partnerships** - Seriously look into this! I know several people who got their entire nursing education paid for by hospitals in exchange for 2-3 year work commitments. Much better deal than loans. The $35k price tag is definitely manageable with the right combination of federal loans, scholarships, and maybe a hospital partnership. Don't let the FAFSA confusion stop you - you have more options than you think!