Financial Aid Information
Financial aid is available from several sources for full and part-time qualified students and the majority of nursing students at Vanderbilt receive some form of financial aid. Financial Aid materials become available in January. From then on, individuals who have applied to the School are mailed financial aid materials.
The School of Nursing also offers full and partial internal scholarships. The average partial scholarship award is $1,800 which covers the cost of books for the academic year.
Is the Financial Aid sufficient to cover the cost of the program and living expenses?
Students find that the monies they receive in Federal and Private 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 for at least six credits per semester and be degree seeking. Need-based aid for graduate students includes scholarships and subsidized/unsubsidized student loans. Non-need-based aid for graduate students includes scholarships and unsubsidized loans on which the interest accrues from the date of disbursement. Internal scholarships from the School of Nursing are merit-based. They are awarded based on a combination of the student's incoming grade point average and GRE, GMAT or other standardized test score. Full-time enrollment (12 hours per semester) is required to be considered for a scholarship award. Part-time students and post-master's students are not eligible for scholarships but may qualify for loans. In order for students to be considered for scholarships they must be accepted to the School of Nursing and have matriculated (paid their deposit). All awards are made through the School of Nursing Scholarship Committee according to the requirements of the funding source.
How Do I Apply?
To apply for federal subsidized and unsubsidized student loans, private loans as well as institutional funds, a current or prospective student must complete two application forms: the Vanderbilt University Graduate/Professional Financial Aid Application (available online only www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid/gradprof.htm) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (www.fafsa.ed.gov/). Tax information from the previous tax year as well as other factors on the FAFSA, combine to form an Expected Family Contribution (E.F.C.) figure. This figure, along with other financial aid formulas, determines an individual's eligibility for financial aid based on federal guidelines. This information is then provided to the University Financial Aid Office which determines the types and amount of funding available based upon financial eligibility.
To apply for internal scholarships, prospective students complete the Internal Scholarship application which is included in the financial aid materials that are mailed in late January. The School of Nursing maintains an extensive list of scholarships available for women, minorities and graduate students.
All external scholarship applications must be initiated by the student. Filing financial aid applications on time will ensure consideration for any internal scholarship monies and loan funds available. Financial aid forms must be filed annually and are available early January. Contact the School of Nursing Financial Aid Office at (615) 322.8986 for any forms needed.
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 account. In particular, any institutional loan promissory notes and paperwork must be completed and signed before loan funds disburse to the student account. Typically, scholarship funds are disbursed in the same manner. All loans are disbursed in two or three 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, Student 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 for distribution until January.