Financial Aid

The financial aid information below is valid for the 2007-2008 academic year. For additional financial aid information, please contact the school's Financial Aid Officer.

Financial Aid Available

The UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing participates in grant and loan programs in accordance with rules, regulations, and financial aid policies as set forth by the U.S. Department of Education (Federal) and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (State). All grants and loans, as a result, are based primarily on financial need.

Financial need is defined as the difference between the amount of money a student (and parents or spouse) can provide for the education program and the actual expense of the education. Every student and his or her family are, therefore, required to contribute the amount of financial support toward the student’s education that they reasonably can.

The grant and loan programs in which the School of Nursing participates are:

• PELL Grant Program (formerly BEOG) - Federal Grant
  
• Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) - State Grant
  
• Federal Student Loan Program
• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
• Federal PLUS Loan
  
• Veteran’s administration benefits
  
• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Assistance
  
• Private grants and loans

Students may apply for grants/loans through the Financial Aid Office at the School of Nursing.  Deadlines for filing applications are posted on the Financial Affairs Bulletin Board.

In order to be considered for Federal Grants (PELL), State Grants (PHEAA), and Federal Student Loans, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications are available through the School of Nursing's Financial Aid Office or online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Application deadines:

Please contact the school's Financial Aid Officer for 2007-2008 deadlines.

Top of Page

Financial Aid Links

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Sponsored by the Department of Education

http://www.aessuccess.org
Sponsored by the American Education Services

http://www.pheaa.org/
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

The UPMC Tuition Loan Forgiveness Program

• UPMC Shadyside is providing tuition coverage in the form of a conditional loan to eligible students in exchange for their commitment to work full-time at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for two full years upon graduation.
• The loan covers the entire cost of tuition for the RN Diploma Program.  Students will still be financially responsible for textbooks, uniforms, taxes, and other costs.
• Both full-time and part-time students are eligible.
• We have a diversified student body. We welcome first-time students and students who desire a career change.

Admission Criteria for UPMC Tuition Loan Forgiveness Program

• Completion of all published admission criteria, including passage of the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) RN Nursing School Aptitude Examination.
• Completion of an application for admission and a written essay.
• Submission of required recommendations.
• Receipt of official high school transcripts or GED certification and official transcripts for all previous post-secondary education.
• Express the willingness to commit to an intensive academic program

Ongoing Criteria:

The UPMC Tuition Loan Forgiveness Program is designed to support a student throughout the entire program pending successful academic performance.

Students will be considered to be in default of their obligations under any of the following circumstances:

• Fail to remain a student in good standing at the school.  “In good standing means abiding by all school polices and meeting all academic expectations.”
• Withdraw from the program and fail to return within one year from the date of withdrawal.
• Fail to graduate from the school for any reason
• Fail to pass the state examination to become a registered nurse within one year after graduation.
• Do not accept full-time employment with UPMC as a registered nurse within three months of graduation.
• Denied employment with UPMC as a registered nurse because of failure of the UPMC pre-employment screening process.
• Resign, reduce working hours to less than full-time or discharged from full-time employment with UPMC before the full amount of the loan has been repaid.

Students/graduates that default on their obligations will be required to pay the full outstanding balance of the loan plus a default fee of four hundred dollars ($400.00).

Top of Page

Terms of Agreement:

In order to participate in the UPMC Tuition Loan Forgiveness Loan Program, students must sign a “Terms of Agreement” and official “Promissory Note”. These official documents will be provided to the student after being accepted to the school.

Prior to completion of the program, students are required to sign another "Terms of Agreement" and offical "Promissory Note".  These official documents will reflect any deductions made to the UPMC Loan (grant monies and transfer credits).

The regulations of the Internal Revenue Service govern this type of loan forgiveness program.  Upon completion of the required work commitment, the loan is forgiven and is now considered income. The individual is required to pay taxes on the entire loan amount at that time.     

Outline of program costs

Costs to be paid by UPMC Tuition Loan Forgiveness*

Tuition costs for all UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing and affiliate college courses will be paid by UPMC Shadyside pending ongoing successful academic performance.

This includes:

94 credits/units x $155 per credits/units = $14,570
Corresponding course laboratory fees $425

Total costs to be paid by Full-Tuition Loan Program $14,995

* These are the currently known costs based upon the 2007-2008 academic budget year. Additional costs may be added as necessary.

Costs to be paid by student*
Application fee $40
PSB Nursing School Aptitude Examination-RN fee $20
Books, uniforms and supplies (estimate) $2,000
Graduation expenses $100
Transportation/Parking
Required health insurance coverage
Health Exams, clearances, CPR recertification

* These are the currently known costs based upon the 2007-2008 academic budget year. The known costs are subject to increase within a two to six percent margin per year. Additional costs may be added as necessary.

Top of Page