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!

Don't give up hope! I'm actually a financial aid counselor and see this situation frequently. You're absolutely eligible for federal Direct Loans through FAFSA even with a foreign bachelor's degree - the key thing is that you won't qualify for Pell Grants, but loans are still on the table. A few quick tips to get you moving: - Submit your FAFSA ASAP, don't wait for transcript evaluation - For Portuguese transcripts, I've seen good results with both WES and ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) - Contact your nursing program's financial aid office directly - they often have emergency funding or know about local scholarships - Look into your state's nursing workforce development programs - many offer loan forgiveness for working in underserved areas The $35k is definitely doable with federal loans plus some targeted nursing scholarships. I've helped students in your exact situation secure funding. The biggest mistake I see is people getting paralyzed by the process instead of just starting the applications. You've got this! Also, definitely explore those hospital partnership programs others mentioned - they're becoming more common as hospitals struggle with nursing shortages.

Hey! I'm in a really similar situation - I have a bachelor's degree from the UK and I'm starting a nursing program in the fall. Just wanted to share what I've learned so far that might help you: **Good news:** You CAN get federal loans through FAFSA even with a foreign degree! I was initially denied when I first applied because I made some mistakes on the form, but after talking to my school's financial aid office, I resubmitted and got approved for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. **Timeline stuff:** Definitely start your transcript evaluation NOW. I used WES and it took exactly 6 weeks (this was during their busy season in spring). Cost me about $240 total but totally worth it. Some schools will let you start classes while it's pending, but having it done gives you way more options. **California-specific help:** Since you mentioned California in one of your replies - look into the California Health Workforce Education and Training Program. They have specific funding for nursing students, and I believe some of it isn't affected by prior degree status. **One thing I wish I'd known earlier:** Apply for EVERYTHING even if you think you don't qualify. I almost didn't apply for a local hospital scholarship because I thought having a foreign degree would disqualify me, but it turns out they actually preferred candidates with diverse educational backgrounds! You've got this! The $35k is definitely manageable with loans plus some targeted scholarships. Feel free to reach out if you want to compare notes on the process!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned so far! I have a bachelor's degree from Mexico and I'm applying for a physical therapy program here in the US. Here's what I found out after talking to multiple financial aid offices: **You ARE eligible for federal loans through FAFSA** - the foreign degree doesn't disqualify you from Direct Unsubsidized Loans, just from Pell Grants. For professional programs like nursing, you can typically borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal loans. **Transcript evaluation is crucial** - I used Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) and it took about 4 weeks and cost around $225. Start this ASAP because some schools won't finalize your aid package without it. **Don't sleep on nursing-specific funding** - there are SO many scholarships specifically for nursing students that I wish I had known about for PT! Look into the National Student Nurses' Association scholarships, your state's nursing association, and local hospital foundation scholarships. **State aid might still be available** - depending on your state, you might qualify for state grants or scholarships that have different rules than federal aid. The combination of federal loans plus targeted scholarships should definitely help close that $35k gap. I know it's stressful (trust me, I've been there!), but don't let the process overwhelm you. Start with submitting the FAFSA and getting your transcripts evaluated, then build from there. You've got this! Healthcare programs are in such high demand that there's usually more funding available than people realize.

I went through almost the exact same situation! I have a degree from Brazil and just finished my first year of nursing school in Texas. Here's what worked for me: **FAFSA is absolutely worth doing** - I got $12,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which covered about 60% of my program costs. No Pell Grant eligibility, but the loans made a huge difference. **For transcript evaluation** - I used WES and it took 5 weeks, cost about $260 total. Make sure you get the course-by-course evaluation, not just the basic one. Some nursing programs are picky about this. **Texas-specific tip that might apply elsewhere** - Many states have nursing shortage areas where you can get loan forgiveness after graduation. Texas has the Nurse Education Loan Repayment Program that forgives up to $7,000 per year if you work in underserved areas. **Hospital partnerships are GOLD** - I found one through my clinical rotation site. They're paying $15,000 toward my education in exchange for a 2-year work commitment after I graduate. Way better terms than private loans! **Don't forget professional organizations** - The American Nurses Association Foundation has several scholarships, and many don't exclude people with prior degrees. Start your FAFSA and transcript evaluation this week - the sooner you get the ball rolling, the more options you'll have. The stress is real, but there's definitely a path forward! Feel free to ask if you want more details about any of these options.

I know this is a super stressful situation, but you definitely have options! I went through something similar with my degree from Germany. Here's what I learned that might help: **FAFSA eligibility:** You CAN still get federal Direct Loans even with a foreign bachelor's degree - just not Pell Grants. For nursing programs specifically, you might qualify for higher loan amounts since it's considered a professional program. **Quick action items:** 1. Submit your FAFSA immediately (don't wait for transcript evaluation) 2. Start transcript evaluation with WES or ECE right away - it takes 4-6 weeks 3. Contact your nursing program's financial aid office about institutional scholarships 4. Look into the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program for underserved area commitments **Hidden gem:** Many hospitals are so desperate for nurses that they're offering incredible tuition assistance programs. Some will pay your entire education in exchange for a 2-3 year work commitment after graduation. Start calling hospitals in your area now - this could be your best bet to avoid major debt! **State resources:** Since you mentioned California in another response, definitely check out the California Health Workforce Education and Training Program. They have nursing-specific funding that often has different eligibility rules than federal aid. Don't let the initial FAFSA confusion derail your dreams - nursing school is absolutely doable financially with the right combination of federal loans, scholarships, and hospital partnerships. You've got this!

I'm a nursing student advisor and see this situation frequently! You're absolutely eligible for federal student loans through FAFSA even with your Portuguese degree - the foreign bachelor's just excludes you from Pell Grants, not loans entirely. Here's your action plan: 1. **Submit FAFSA immediately** - don't wait for transcript evaluation 2. **Get transcript evaluation started** - Use WES or ECE, takes 4-6 weeks, costs ~$250 3. **Apply for Direct Unsubsidized Loans** - up to $20,500/year for professional programs 4. **Research California nursing scholarships** - CA has several state-specific programs for nursing students **Major opportunity:** Hospital tuition reimbursement programs! Many CA hospitals are offering full tuition coverage for 2-3 year work commitments post-graduation. This could eliminate most of your debt. Contact HR departments at major hospital systems like Kaiser, Sutter Health, or UCSF. **Additional funding sources:** - NURSE Corps Scholarship Program (federal) - National Student Nurses Association scholarships - Local hospital foundation scholarships - American Nurses Foundation grants Your $35k program cost is definitely manageable with federal loans (~$12-20k/year) plus targeted nursing scholarships. The key is applying to EVERYTHING - I've seen students piece together full funding from multiple smaller awards. Don't let the FAFSA confusion delay you - submit it this week and start building your funding strategy from there!

I just went through this exact situation last year with my degree from France! You're definitely not alone in this confusion. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: **You CAN get federal loans through FAFSA** - don't let anyone tell you otherwise! I ended up getting about $18,000 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Yes, no Pell Grants with a prior degree, but loans are absolutely still available. **Transcript evaluation tip:** I used ECE and it was super smooth - took exactly 4 weeks and cost $235. They're really familiar with European education systems. Pro tip: pay for the fastest processing if your program starts soon! **Game changer for me:** I found a scholarship through the Emergency Nurses Association that was specifically for career changers entering nursing. Got $3,000! There are tons of nursing scholarships that actually PREFER people with diverse educational backgrounds. **California bonus:** Since I saw you mention CA - definitely apply for the California Nurses Educational Fund scholarship. They don't exclude people with prior degrees and award up to $2,000. The combination of federal loans + targeted nursing scholarships got me through without any private loans. Started my FAFSA in March for a fall program and everything worked out perfectly timing-wise. Don't let the initial stress derail you - nursing programs are so in-demand that there's actually more funding available than most people realize. You've got this! 🩺

I'm in almost the exact same situation! I have a bachelor's degree from the Philippines and I'm looking at nursing programs here in California. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful - I had no idea that foreign degrees were treated the same as US degrees for FAFSA loan eligibility. I've been putting off applying because I thought I was completely ineligible for any federal aid. The hospital partnership programs that people mentioned sound incredible. I'm going to start calling around to see what's available in my area. Has anyone had success with smaller community hospitals, or are these programs mainly through the big hospital systems? I'm in the Central Valley so we don't have as many major medical centers as the Bay Area or LA. Also, for anyone who used ECE or WES for transcript evaluation - did you need to get your transcripts translated first, or do they handle that as part of their service? My transcripts are in both English and Filipino so I'm not sure if additional translation is needed. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver! It's amazing how much more manageable this feels when you realize you're not the only one dealing with these challenges.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences here! As someone who's been feeling completely lost about this whole process, reading all these success stories from people with foreign degrees has been incredible. I had no idea that so many funding options existed beyond just FAFSA. I'm definitely going to start my FAFSA application this week and get the transcript evaluation process started with ECE. The hospital partnership programs sound like they could be a total game-changer - I never would have thought to reach out to hospitals directly about tuition assistance. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar situation with a foreign degree, don't give up! This thread proves there are definitely paths forward even when the initial FAFSA confusion makes everything seem impossible. The combination of federal loans, nursing-specific scholarships, and hospital partnerships seems like it can really make these programs affordable. I'll try to update this thread as I go through the process in case it helps other people who find this later. Thanks again everyone - you've given me so much hope! 🙏

I'm jumping in as another person who went through this exact situation! I had a bachelor's degree from Sweden and just completed my first semester of an accelerated BSN program in Florida. Here's what I wish I had known earlier: **You absolutely CAN get federal loans through FAFSA with a foreign degree!** I was initially terrified after reading conflicting information online, but I ended up receiving $20,500 in Direct Unsubsidized Loans for my accelerated program. A few things that really helped me: - **Don't wait to submit FAFSA** - I submitted mine before my transcript evaluation was complete and it worked out fine - **WES transcript evaluation** - took 5 weeks, cost about $265, but totally worth it for peace of mind - **Accelerated programs might be worth comparing** - mine is 16 months instead of traditional 4 semesters, and the financial aid office said the shorter timeline actually helped with loan disbursement scheduling **Florida-specific tip that might apply elsewhere:** Many states have Critical Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for nurses. Florida forgives up to $4,000/year of loans if you work in underserved areas after graduation. The stress is so real when you're navigating this process, but please don't let the FAFSA confusion stop you from pursuing nursing! There are definitely viable paths forward. Start with submitting that FAFSA this week - you'll be amazed how much clearer everything becomes once you get the process moving. Sending you encouragement from someone who made it through to the other side! 💪

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you are DEFINITELY eligible for federal student loans through FAFSA even with your Portuguese degree! I went through this same process two years ago with my bachelor's from Australia and ended up getting $18,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans. The key things that helped me: 1. **Submit FAFSA immediately** - don't wait for transcript evaluation to be complete 2. **Use ECE for transcript evaluation** - they were familiar with international transcripts and processed mine in 4 weeks 3. **Contact your nursing program's financial aid office directly** - they often know about school-specific scholarships you won't find online **California has amazing opportunities for nursing students!** Look into the State Loan Repayment Program and the Song-Brown Healthcare Workforce Training Programs - both have funding specifically for nursing students and many don't exclude people with prior degrees. Also, definitely explore hospital partnerships in your area. I know several people who got their entire education covered by hospitals like Dignity Health and CommonSpirit in exchange for 2-3 year work commitments. Given California's nursing shortage, these programs are becoming really competitive for hospitals to offer. The $35k is totally manageable with federal loans + targeted scholarships. I pieced together funding from 5 different sources and graduated debt-free. Don't let the initial FAFSA confusion derail your nursing dreams - you've got this! 🏥