HOW WE CAN HELP YOU AFFORD A RUSH EDUCATION

There are a variety of ways we can help you finance your education at the College of Nursing. Everyone can receive some type of assistance. FIRST, let's clear up what we mean by financial assistance. Financial assistance comes in three (3) forms:

1. Money that does not have to be paid back.
2. Money awarded in return for some present or future activity or service.
3. Money that needs to be paid back, often with interest.

1. Money that does not have to be paid back. This category includes awards termed scholarships or grants. These awards are always tied to some criteria which are based on financial need and/or academic merit.
2. Money awarded in return for some present or future activity or service. This category includes employment, stipends, teaching and research assistantships, tuition for future service programs, professional nurse traineeships and employer tuition reimbursement.
3. Money that needs to be paid back often with interest. Loans make up this category. Loans come from a variety of sources. These vary according to how much interest is charged, when the interest is charged and qualifications you must meet to be approved for the loan.

What you qualify for also depends on:

• Level of study - undergraduate or graduate
• Individual ability to qualify for need-based or merit-based programs
• Ability to attend school on a full-time basis
• Area of specialization

This page is meant to introduce you to a number of financial aid opportunities. Once you have reviewed this information, your next steps should be to:
· ACCESS the Rush University financial aid website , if you have not already done so.
· COMPLETE the Rush University Institutional Aid Application
· COMPLETE the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) form.


For now, here's what you need to know about the opportunities we have for you:

If you are applying for the Undergraduate Program in Nursing (BSN) or the Baccalaureate-completion program, click here.

If you are applying for the graduate program in Nursing (MSN, post-MS Nurse Practitioner, DNP, PhD) click here.

For a complete listing of College of Nursing scholarships, click here.

For a comprehensive listing of Rush University's Financial Aid Program, go to the Financial Aid website.


INFORMATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.

Category 1. Money that does not have to be paid back.

• Convocation Awards. Awards given to continuing and graduating students based on special achievements.

Category 2. Money awarded in return for some present or future activity or service.

• Rush University Medical Center Nursing Service Scholarship.

Several FULL tuition scholarships awarded to candidates based on academic merit, a personal statement and an interview. This scholarship is awarded to 7 and 4-quarter baccalaureate students and offers full tuition. Following graduation, a service commitment in the Division of Nursing in a clinical area of need is required.

• Work-Study Program. Students are eligible for part-time employment in the medical center. Most students elect to work in their area of study. Jobs are available in university offices, the library, and various departments.
• Nurse Assistantships. After one quarter of full-time undergraduate study, students may qualify to work part-time at Rush University Medical Center as nurse assistants.

Category 3. Money that needs to be paid back, often with interest.

There are a variety of secured and unsecured loan programs. You should visit the Rush Financial Aid site to get an idea of some of the loans available.


INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
The following are highlights of some unique College of Nursing financial awards. For a comprehensive listing of Rush University's Financial Aid Program, go to the Financial Aid website.

Category 1. Money that does not have to be paid back.

• Dean's Scholarship for Doctoral Study. Any applicant admitted to the PhD program will be considered for a Dean's Scholarship for PhD Study (up to 50% or more of full program tuition). Admitted students will be considered for awards based on a merit review of their application materials and available scholarship resources. Scholarships will be awarded for tuition and/or living expenses.
• Convocation Awards. Awards and scholarships are available for continuing and graduating graduate students. Students must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing at the time of the application.
• Specialty Nursing/Health Organization Scholarship. Many specialty nursing organizations such as the American Lung Association and the Oncology Nursing Society have scholarships for nurses studying in specific areas.

Category 2. Money awarded in return for some present or future activity or service.

• Advanced Education Nursing (AEN) Traineeships. Graduate students enrolled for nine (9) credit hours or more, or part-time graduate students in the final year of study are eligible. Advanced Education Nursing (AEN) Traineeships may be awarded for a maximum of 36 months of cumulative study in graduate education. An application must be submitted annually, and applicants need to be U.S. citizens or have permanent residency status. Students who commit to providing primary care services to under served areas and minority populations during their clinical training and after graduation will receive priority for funding support.
• Research Assistantships. Research Assistants (RAs) help researchers with literature reviews, subject enlistment, data collection, analysis and presentation preparation. The College's researchers are involved in a variety of projects with persons from all age groups and walks of life. This diversity helps afford RAs the opportunity to work on studies in which they have a special interest. Working as a Research Assistant can also be helpful in building research skills that can be used in one's own research career. RAs draw a salary for hours worked in the College.
• Teaching Assistantships. Teaching Assistants (TAs) work under the guidance and direction of a College of Nursing faculty member. Teaching activities involve the undergraduate program and usually deal with the teaching and supervising of nursing skills in a clinical simulation setting. Teaching Assistants also help tutor students enrolled in undergraduate courses and selected graduate courses. Depending on the number of hours worked, TAs may be eligible for the tuition reimbursement program of the Medical Center. This is a good way to gain some teaching experience while in graduate school.
• Tuition Reimbursement or Remission. As a working professional nurse, one of your benefits may be tuition reimbursement or tuition remission from your place of employment. For example, if you are employed full time as a professional nurse at Rush University Medical Center and are enrolled in the College of Nursing, you will receive 100% prepaid tuition for two (2) courses or six (6) credit hours per quarter period.
• National Public Health Services Corps (NHSC). The National Health Services Corps is funded by the federal government to nurse practitioner students pursuing a master's degree and are willing to serve in a federally designated shortage area upon graduation. Scholarships provide tuition and a monthly stipend in exchange for service after graduation. Graduates may also apply for the National Health Service Loan Repayment program, which offers educational loan forgiveness in exchange for service in a shortage area.
• Armed Services. Offered by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, graduates may consider employment in one of the armed forces branches upon graduation, in which case a loan forgiveness program may be available. These are typically in the reserves program.

Category 3. Money that needs to be paid back, often with interest.
There are a variety of secured and unsecured loan programs. You should visit the Rush Financial Aid site to get an idea of some of the loans available.

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