Financial aid
Find resources to help manage the cost of your education.
Understanding financial aid
Choosing Geisinger School of Nursing (GSON) means you chose a real-world, hands-on education that will lead to a rewarding nursing career in just two years. Financial concerns don’t have to hold you back!
If you are looking into nursing school, there are many resources available to help make your nursing education affordable.
Scholarships
A variety of named scholarships are available to students each fall semester to help offset costs. These include:
- Robert & Sandy Metz Endowment
- Sarah Heintzelman Stoicheff Scholarship
- Chapman Family Scholarship
- Geisinger Lewistown Hospital Community Scholarship
Substantial support is available for Geisinger employees to obtain or advance their nursing education. Visit Working at Geisinger.
You’re encouraged to apply for financial aid, as most students are eligible for at least some type of assistance. To apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Filing the FAFSA is free — if you see a fee, you are not on the correct website.
If this is your first time filing the FAFSA, you (and if dependent, a parent) must create an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA and future loan requirements. You can create an FSA ID at studentaid.gov. When filing your FAFSA, it’s recommended you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, as it will assist you with completing your FAFSA more accurately.
Last, don’t forget to add our school code: G4167200. You’ll need to renew your FAFSA each year beginning Oct. 1.
Grants
Geisinger School of Nursing is in the process of applying to participate in the Federal Pell Grant and Pennsylvania State Grant and Special Programs. Students are automatically considered for these grants based on information submitted on your FAFSA.
GI Bill educational benefits
To apply for GI Bill® educational benefits, Chapter 30, Chapter 33, Chapter 35, and Chapters 1606 and 1607, Veterans Affairs requires a completed VA FORM 22-1990. For Chapter 31, complete VA FORM 28-1905.
The forms can be completed online at VA.gov.
Contact the VA certifying official, Edward Lahart, at elahart@geisinger.edu for assistance in using benefits.
Federal Direct Loan Program
Geisinger School of Nursing is in the process of applying for the Federal Direct Loan Program with the ability to also borrow using the private loan sector to help students bridge the gap up to the cost of attendance.
The Federal Direct Loan is offered by the U.S. Department of Education. The type of loan is based on financial need. This is a low-interest loan, and the U.S. Department of Education is your lender.
You may be eligible for the following loan types:
- A Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is available to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover educational costs. Interest does not accrue on this loan while you are enrolled in college. The 2022–2023 academic award year interest rate for this loan is 4.99%.
- A Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to eligible undergraduate students to help cover educational costs. This loan is not based on need and accrues interest from the date of disbursement. The 2022–2023 academic award year interest rate for this loan is 4.99%.
- A Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan is for eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Eligibility is based on a credit check and not on financial need. Borrowers who have an adverse credit history must meet additional requirements to qualify. The 2022–2023 academic award year interest rate for this loan is 7.54%.