Vanderbilt DNP Financial Aid Information
Financial aid is available from the School of Nursing in the form of a partial scholarship and federal loans. The majority of DNP nursing students at Vanderbilt receive some form of financial aid. Financial aid packets begin being mailed in January to all students that have applied for the DNP program to begin in the fall.
Is the Financial Aid sufficient to cover the cost
of the program and living expenses?
Students find that the monies they receive in Federal loans cover the cost of the program and modest living expenses.
How Do I Qualify for Financial Aid?
In order to qualify for financial assistance a student must be enrolled in at least six credits per semester and be degree seeking. For 2011-2012, DNP students are awarded a partial nursing scholarship of $3,300 for full time students, $2,200 for second year students and $1,200 for part time students.
Need-based aid for DNP graduate level student’s consists of Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans and the Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan. Non-need-based aid for graduate students includes Federal Unsubsidized Stafford loans on which the interest accrues from the date of disbursement. All financial aid awards are made through the School of Nursing Financial Services Office. For more information about student loans, visit: http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/admissions/loans.html.
How Do I Apply? What Type of Aid is Offered?
To apply for a partial nursing scholarship, Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans and the Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan, a current or prospective DNP student must complete two application forms: the Vanderbilt Nursing Graduate/Professional Financial Aid and Scholarship Application (available online only https://www4.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/studentinfo/2013-14/ngradapp1.htm) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (www.fafsa.ed.gov/).
Our school code for the FAFSA is 003535. The FAFSA will require tax information from your previous income tax return so you can wait until you file your taxes to complete the form, or you can estimate your tax information to the best of your knowledge.
Information from the FAFSA is then provided to the Student Financial Services Office which determines the amount of loans available based upon financial eligibility.
Students are welcome to research any outside scholarships or other assistance to help cover their tuition and fees. Any outside aid that is received is added to their total financial aid package. Financial aid forms must be filed annually and are available in January. Contact the School of Nursing Student Financial Services Office at 615.322.8986 or 1.800.288.2186 for more information.
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) of the Department of Health and Human Services provides financial support to full or part-time students who meet the qualifications of the loan.
The program provides financial support for tuition and other fees associated with advanced nursing degrees for individuals interested in pursuing a faculty role upon graduation. Loan recipients who complete the nursing education program may cancel up to 85 percent of the loan in exchange for four years of service as a full-time nurse faculty at any school of nursing in the United States.
Funding for this program is determined on a year-by-year basis by the Department of Health and Human Services. If you have questions about this program, please contact Kristie Smith, VUSN Student Financial Services Director, at 615.322.8986 or by email kristie.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu.
How are financial aid awards disbursed?
All financial aid is credited directly to a student's account. A financial aid file must be complete in order for available funds to credit the student’s account. In particular, any online loan promissory notes and paperwork must be completed and signed before loan funds disburse to the student account. All loans are disbursed in three (two if you are only enrolled for two semesters) equal installments to the student's account at the beginning of each semester.
What if I have additional questions?
Questions regarding financial aid should be directed to
Kristie Smith
Director, Financial Services
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
208 Godchaux Hall
Nashville, TN 37240
(615) 322.8986
(800) 211.2186
kristie.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu
Note: Financial aid applications are not available to complete until January.
