MDE Financial Aid & Scholarships
Thinking about applying to Master's Direct Entry into Nursing Practice (MDE) program to earn your master's degree, and unsure about how to cover the cost? Pursuing your second degree in nursing can feel overwhelming—but with the right planning and support, you can be confident in your decision to make a worthwhile investment in your education.
The School of Nursing awards scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and/or leadership potential. All applicants are automatically considered. Students may also explore external scholarship opportunities on a local, state, or national level by visiting our External Scholarships, Funding Opportunities webpage.
Reference our Tuition & Fees webpage for a full cost estimate breakdown, and check out the quick guide below on how to finance your degree and successfully launch your nursing career.
How to Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Given the various low-interest loan options available through the U.S. Department of Education, you should apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Submitting a FAFSA is the only way to know what type of loan you’re qualified to receive.
The FAFSA
You must complete a FAFSA every school year within federal, state, and university deadlines. When filling out your FAFSA, here are some details you’ll need to know:
- School Code: 002894
- Grade Level: College Graduate, Professional, or Beyond
- Graduate/Professional Program: Yes
When to Submit the FAFSA
Many students would like to know exactly how much they will receive in federal loans before applying to the program. You are welcome to complete the FAFSA at any time during the application process and should schedule an appointment with our Financial Aid Counselor to see what you will receive in loans or to review your FAFSA information. Our Financial Aid Counselor will review your borrowing history on the National Student Loan Database System and will be able to tell you how much you will receive while in the program.
When you complete your FAFSA you will receive a confirmation page that indicates what you might receive in federal aid. Because this amount can vary depending on the information you include on the FAFSA, we recommend reviewing your file with a financial aid counselor to ensure accuracy.
Once you are accepted to the program, if you have submitted your FAFSA, our Financial Aid Office will send you a financial aid package.
Submitting a FAFSA Form for the Appropriate Academic Year
You must submit a FAFSA form for each school year in which you want to be considered for federal student aid. It is important to pay attention to the academic year dates when applying for federal loans. For financial aid purposes, an academic year starts in the fall semester and extends through the summer of the following year. Depending on when you will be enrolling in your program, multiple applications may be required.
You will need to complete the correct FAFSA before your first semester starts. A new FAFSA is available each year on October 1.
For example, if you start a program in the summer term, you will need to complete two FAFSAs, as your enrollment will cross two academic years. You’ll need to complete one FAFSA for the summer term, the end of one academic year, and one FAFSA for the fall term, the beginning of a new academic year. Please see applicable terms below to better understand which FAFSA(s) to complete.
Applying for the FAFSA
2024-2025 FAFSA: Apply from December 31, 2023 through June 30, 2025. Students enrolled in the following terms: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025.
2025-2026 FAFSA: Apply from December 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. Students enrolled in the following terms: Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026.
| Options | Recipients | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Direct Unsubsidized | Eligible graduate students regardless of financial need. | Must be enrolled at least half-time (6+ credits) in a given semester. |
| Graduate PLUS | Eligible graduate students regardless of financial need. | Must meet basic credit requirements. Must be enrolled at least half-time (6+ credits) in a given semester. |
You can find more information about interest rates, borrowing limits, and requirements on the Financial Aid Office website.
About Private or Alternative Loans
In some cases, a student may not qualify for sufficient federal loan funding to cover their program costs. Factors that impact eligibility can include, but are not limited to: prior federal borrowing history; enrollment status (e.g. full-time, half-time, less than half-time); and credit standing. In such cases, it’s a good idea to research private lenders, such as banks or credit unions, and try to borrow from an institution with low interest rates and good terms. ELMSelect is a good resource to help compare loan rates and terms for private loans. View additional information regarding private student loan lenders by searching for "University of Rochester" and selecting "Graduate" from the dropdown on the ELMSelect website.
Once you’ve decided on a private lender, contact our Financial Aid Counselor to make sure you understand loan periods and how they relate to the semester and yearly limits on private loan certifications. Our counselor can also assist you in calculating the loan amount you’ll need to finance your nursing degree.
Connect with Us
Interested in becoming a nurse? Connect with us to learn more about the Master's Direct Entry into Nursing Practice (MDE) program from the University of Rochester.