It's all about value...

Nurses play a key role in ensuring the continued quality of patient care and evidence-based outcomes in our nation’s health care system. The need for strong, effective nursing leadership and nursing faculty in health care has never been more critical. In response, Pacific Lutheran University's School of Nursing offers its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to prepare registered nurses to become administrators, leaders and educators.

Because you are pursuing your graduate nursing degree there is one thing we know about you already - you understand the value of education. You are among the very top percentile in the world to pursue this level of education, and whether earning your MSN is motivated by a career move, a promotion, or a passion for the exchange of ideas and high level thinking, earning the PLU MSN is an investment in you and your life as a global citizen.

At PLU our goal is to create a partnership that is financially feasible for you to pursue your studies. Financial assistance from PLU, federal and state financial aid programs, student resources, payment options and careful planning help make PLU affordable.

PLU Graduate Nursing Scholarships

Dean's Excellence in Nursing Leadership Graduate Scholarships

Each year Pacific Lutheran University awards up to three new Bachelor's prepared registered nurses pursuing the Master of Science in Nursing, Care and Outcomes Manager (COM) concentration scholarships of up to $8,500 each. (The scholarships do not apply to the Entry-Level MSN, RN-B to MSN, MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner, or MSN/MBA programs.) These graduate scholarships are for RNs pursuing advanced preparation for positions in supervision, administration or teaching. The scholarship is designed to support registered nurses committed to improving health care outcomes, as well as improving their leadership and management skills through the pursuit of the MSN-COM degree. To download the Dean's Excellence in Nursing Leadership Graduate Scholarship application, click here.

PLU School of Nursing Scholarships

The School of Nursing may offer limited scholarship opportunities for admitted graduate students who have successfully completed one year of the program. For more information, contact gradnurs@plu.edu.

PLU Alumni Tuition Discount

The PLU Grant provides a 10% discount on tuition for PLU graduates who enroll in a PLU master’s level degree or approved master’s level certificate program. Restrictions apply to those students who are also PLU employees. The discount begins immediately upon admission.

PLU Graduate Fellowships

The graduate fellowship program offers graduate students an opportunity to participate in academic and administrative activities that will enhance their graduate education experience, as well as provide financial assistance. A limited number of fellowships are available for each program during the academic year. Full awards are very rare. In general, involve time commitments of five to fifteen hours per week.

To find out more, email: gradadmission@plu.edu

PLU International Graduate Student Scholarships

Full-time international graduate students can be eligible for between $4,000.00 and $7,500.00 in scholarship, renewable for the duration of the graduate program.To find out more, click here.

The Yellow Ribbon Program at PLU

Pacific Lutheran University is proud to partner with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to offer a total of 200 full-tuition, Yellow Ribbon Scholarships to qualified veterans or their dependents. PLU has rich history of working closely with the military community and is excited to provide greater access to private higher education through this important program.

The Yellow Ribbon GI Educational Enhancement Program is component of the Post-9/11 Act of 2008. This partnership between the VA and PLU offers qualified veterans or their dependents full-tuition scholarships to enter either undergraduate or graduate programs at PLU. In the coming 2010-2011 academic year, PLU will offer 150 Yellow Ribbon Scholarships to undergraduate students and 50 scholarships for graduate students.

To find out more, visit: http://www.plu.edu/admission/graduate/yellow-ribbon-program.php

Federal Financial Aid

With more than $60 billion earmarked for student loans, the federal government is committed to helping you attend graduate school. It all begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Why FAFSA?

To apply for federal and state financial aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An analysis of your FAFSA determines how much you and your family can afford to contribute to your education. A variety of factors are taken into account: family income, total savings, family size, parents' age (and their need to save for retirement) and the number of siblings in college at the same time.

How to submit a FAFSA

You may submit the FAFSA in one of two ways:

Complete the FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov . You will be provided a confirmation number and an opportunity to create your own Personal Identification Number (PIN) which you can use immediately to sign your application. This is the recommended and most accurate way to complete the FAFSA.
Request a paper FAFSA from the US Department of Education at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Complete and mail the FAFSA using the envelope included with the form. This processing takes approximately two to four weeks.

When completing the FAFSA, be sure to indicate that you want the results of your analysis sent to PLU (use code 003785). Keep copies of everything you submit.

Which application to use

To receive financial assistance for enrollment in the summer or fall of 2010 or spring semester 2011 the 2010-11 FAFSA must be completed. The 2011-12 FAFSA is required when applying for financial assistance for summer or fall of 2011 or spring semester 2012. The 2011-12 FAFSA will not be available until January 1, 2011

Apply for the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) School Code 003785
If you do not have federal PIN, Apply for a PIN - your federal signature

The information from your FAFSA application will be electronically sent to PLU's Office of Financial Aid. They will work with your Student Services Center Counselor to send you your Offer of Financial Aid

Direct Stafford Loans

Direct Stafford Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, are low-interest loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) at participating schools.

Direct Stafford Loans include the following types of loans:

Direct Subsidized Loans-Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with financial need. Your school will review the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^SM) and determine the amount you can borrow. You are not charged interest while you're in school at least half-time and during grace periods and deferment periods.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans-You are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Like subsidized loans, your school will determine the amount you can borrow. Interest accrues (accumulates) on an unsubsidized loan from the time it's first paid out. You can pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). If you choose not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount you have to repay because you will be charged interest on a higher principal amount.

To find out more, visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

Direct PLUS Loans for Graduate and Professional Degree Students

Graduate and professional degree students can borrow a Direct PLUS Loan to help cover education expenses.

The terms and conditions applicable to PLUS Loans for parents also apply to PLUS Loans for graduate and professional students. These terms and conditions include: a determination that you (the applicant) do not have an adverse credit history; and
a fixed interest rate of 7.9% for Direct PLUS Loans.

Unlike parent PLUS applicants, you (the student applicant) are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^SM). In addition, before you can receive a PLUS Loan, your school must have determined your maximum eligibility for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.

Additional loan types provided under the Direct Loan Program^sm, include Direct Stafford Loans (for undergraduate and graduate students), Direct PLUS Loans (for parents), and Direct Consolidation Loans (to combine federal education loan debts into a single loan).

To find out more, visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

Federal Nursing Loans

Students accepted for admission into the PLU School of Nursing and enrolled at least half-time in the nursing program may be considered for a low interest, federally funded Nursing Loan. Federal Nursing Loans have a fixed interest rate of 5% and a repayment grace period of nine months after graduation (or less than half time enrollment, whichever comes first). For more information, click here.

Outside Scholarships

Nurses have several sources for professional scholarships, both civilian and military.

A comprehensive list of outside scholarships and loans may be found at the The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) website.

Military direct-commissioning programs for the Nurse Corps are also available:

http://www.military-nurse.com/
http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/healthcare/nurse/
http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/healthcare/careers/nursing/
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/army-health-care-corps/nurse.html

If you or your spouse has served in the military post 9/11, you may be eligible for full tuition scholarship through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board has a loan repayment program for those entering the Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

There are several opportunities with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Service Administration:

HRSA Advanced Education Traineeships
Grant-funded stipends from the Health Resources and Services Administration intended for students who plan to seek employment in areas that “will substantially benefit rural or underserved populations, or help meet public health nursing needs in state or local health departments.”

HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program
Loans funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant are awarded to students enrolled in a full-time program of study specifically preparing them for careers as Nurse Educators. Following graduation, loan recipients may cancel up to 85% of the NFLP loan over four years for serving as a full-time nurse faculty member at a school of nursing.

HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program

Here is a list of several other outside scholarship sources for nurses:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Financial Aid/Scholarships

The American Legion Eight and Forty Lung and Respiratory Disease Nursing Scholarship

Johnson & Johnson Scholarship Search Engine

Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization

National Student Nurses' Association

Pierce County Nurses Association

Washington State Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship Information

Washington Center for Nursing