Prospective Students
Financial Aid

Once you have received the letter of acceptance from the College, then you may contact the financial aid office to request financial aid.

  • Federal Student Aid is available for qualified students who will attend the Cardiovascular and Surgical Technology and Nursing Programs. 
  • Payment Plans are available through the Student Accounts Office for students who will attend the Care Partner, Monitor Surveillance, and Nurse Aide Courses.

The responsibility for meeting a student’s educational costs rests with the student and his/her family. The Financial Aid Office at Sentara College of Health Sciences exists to help students and their families access other means to supplement their resources when a need has been established through the financial aid application process. Financial aid may be offered through grants, scholarships and/or loans.

The following benefits or aid is available:

  • Veterans Administration Benefit: For all Programs and Courses.
  • Federal Student Aid (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans): For all Programs-CVT, RN & ST.
  • Scholarships: Any Program or Course (depends on the source of the scholarship).
  • Virginia College Savings Plans.

Veterans Benefits

These are based upon your eligibility. You should notify the Financial Aid office as soon as possible if you expect to receive VA benefits.

The following are sites for active-duty military, military dependents, and veterans:

Federal Financial Aid

FAFSA:

The first step to receiving Financial Aid is to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used in nearly every aspect of financial aid. If you are interested in financial aid you must file this application. Please observe the steps listed below and select the appropriate one for your institution:

 

Federal Student Aid Pin  http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.isp
Free Application for FAFSA  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Master Promissory Note http://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
Entrance Counseling https://www.dl.ed.gov/borrower/EntrCounselingPage.do?cmd=doStart
Exit Counseling https://www.dl.ed.gov/borrower/BorrowerLogin.isp

    Your FAFSA will be reviewed only after you have been accepted. At that time, you will receive further Financial Aid information. If you have any questions, please contact Student Services at (757) 388-2666.

Prevent Delays in Financial Aid Processing:

  • If requested, submit requested documents such as tax forms or W-2's as soon as possible. Not all students are asked for these documents. If you are not specifically asked, please do not submit.
  • Accept awards and revisions within 10 days.
  • Make sure the College has a correct address for mailing financial aid correspondence and other documents. All address changes should be directed to Students Services. All correspondence will be mailed to your permanent address.
  • Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid Office at 757.388.3015, fax at 757.388.4225, or e-mail to: financial_aid@sentara.com

Federal Student Aid at Sentara College of Health Sciences

On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HCERA), which, among other things, makes significant changes to the federal student loans programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.  One of the provisions of the HCERA is the termination, as of July 1 2010, of the authority for lenders to make new loans under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program.  Therefore, beginning July 1, 2010, all new Stafford, PLUS, and Consoilidation loans can only be made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan ) Program.

 

 

What does this mean for students?

Effective July 1, 2010, all federal student aid loans will be awarded and disbursed under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program.  ALL STUDENTS (new and returning) MUST:

  • Complete Entrance Counseling (entrance counseling must be on file with the Departmen of Education, not just the College).
  • Sign a new e-Master Promissory Note - You can click on the links above to be directed to the website where the above items need to be completed.  You will need your FAFSA pin prior to signing the MPN and completing Exit Counseling.  You can obtain or retrieve your pin here.  It is not too early to complete Entrance Counseling and sign your MPN.  Please take care of these requirements as soon as possible to ensure there is no lapse or delay in your Federal Student Aid.  You may contact the Financial Aid office with questions at 757.388.3015 or financial_aid@sentara.com
  • Links to the above two requirements are in the section above under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program links.

 

Scholarships

Award amounts and application deadlines listed below are subject to change without notice.

  • Ethel Hudgens Howren Scholarship-A non-need based scholarship established in 1987 by the family of a patient who had been cared for by several nursing students in honor of their mother.  The scholarship amount is $850.00 offered to 2nd year RN students.
  • The Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association, Inc.-Created in 1969 to honor Frances Tompkins, The Association's first Executive Director.  Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 annually.
  • Health Careers Foundation-Established in 1990 by Health Services Corporation of America (HSCA) to offer students in need scholarships and loans for pursuing careers in nursing and allied health professions.  Maximum award is $4,000 per year with 50% as scholarship and 50% as a loan at a low interest rate. 
  • Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation-This Foundation is a charity dedicated to the support of Christian women in need.  This is for Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Cardiovascular Technology students.  The awards range $100 to $1,000 depending on number of students applying and amount received annually for this scholarship.  Offered each semester.
  • Margarette Hanes Old Nurse and Educational Scholarship-A scholarship started in 1960 for nursing students who have been long-time Hampton Roads residents and demonstrate financial need.  Awards vary from $500 to $2,500.
  • Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship-Offered by Virginia Department of Health.  VDH promotes and protects the health of all Virginians.  "Healthy People in Healthy Communities" is their mission statement and they achieve this by demonstrating a range of public health programs to include scholarships.   
  • Mary Peed Baker Scholarship-Mrs. Baker graduated from Norfolk Protestant Hospital School of Nursing (now Sentara College of Health Sciences).  She graduated in 1897, worked at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and then served as an Army Nurse during the Spanish-American War.  This scholarship is need-based and award amounts vary.  
  • National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) -Applicants must be a citizen of the United States, enrolled in a nursing program, and be sponsored by a chapter member.  There are four $1,000 scholarships annually.  This application can be turned in to the financial aid office for sponsoring member to review.   
  • Norfolk/Leigh Auxiliary Scholarship-This scholarship was started approximately 100 years ago when volunteers sold flowers and pencils throughout the hospitals.  This scholarship is still offered by hospital volunteers who run the gift shops at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Heart Hospital, and Sentara Leigh Hospital.  Awards vary from $500 to $3,000.  The scholarship is based on financial need and academic standing.
  • Virginia League for Nursing, Inc.-This is a scholarship offered to provide financial assistance for worthy students preparing for a career in nursing.  This award is $500.
  • Virginia Beach Auxiliary Scholarships-The volunteer association at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital offer 2 scholarships-one for Nursing students and one for Allied Health students.  The award is $1,000.  The scholarship is based on financial need and academic standing.