Prospective Students
Financial Aid

  • You are invited to the Spring Open House, Sat., Mar. 13th at 9 AM -Register to attend  http://www.sentara.edu/calendar_events/60
  • Special Bulletin - Bank of America, one of the largest lenders in the FFEL Program, announced that they will stop originating new FFEL loans, effective December 5, 2009.

Once you have received the letter of acceptance from the admission office, contact the financial aid office.

  • Financial aid is available for qualified students who have been accepted in to the Cardiovascular and Surgical Technology and Registered Nursing Programs.  Must be enrolled full-time.
  • Payment Plans are available through the financial aid office in 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 Financial 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:

  • If you have already filed the 2009-2010 FAFSA with another school:
    • Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
    • Third column, select “corrections.”
    • Enter the Application and Add Sentara College of Health Sciences college code: 031065
  • If you have a PIN number and have not filed the 2008-2009 FAFSA:
  • If you do not have a PIN number:
    • Go to www.pin.ed.gov, complete PIN application.
    • When you receive the PIN confirmation you can then go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
    • Second column, select “Fill out FAFSA.”

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.

Federal Family Educational Loans

Loans must be repaid and you must be taking a minimum of six (6) credit hours. You are required to complete an entrance and exit interview online.

There are two types of loans:

  1. Subsidized: The government pays the interest on the loan while enrolled in college. Loan repayment does not begin until the student leaves school.
  2. Unsubsidized: The interest accrues while enrolled in college. Loan repayment does not begin until the student leaves the college.

Action is required if you are receiving a loan.

Stafford Loan: New and returning students must print, complete, and return this form to the college Financial Aid Office.

PLUS loan: For parents of dependent students. Loan request form; must be printed, filled out completely and turned into the college Financial Aid Office.

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 Records. 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

Factors that could adjust Financial Aid:

Initial financial aid award notifications are based on the cost of education, available resources, and the two assumptions that

  1. You will be enrolled for the course load you checked on the FAFSA AND
  2. Your student classification, as checked on the FAFSA, agrees with the institutional records.

Adjustments may be necessary if you:

  • Withdraw.
  • Enroll less than full-time.
  • Drop to less than full-time.
  • Receive add’l financial aid, including tuition waivers, scholarships, veterans benefits, etc.
  • Change the Student Aid Report.

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 and applications are due June 1st.
  • 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 and applications are due January 16th.
  • 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.  Applications are due April 1st.
  • 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.  Applications are offered to new students with a due date of 2 weeks after the start of a new Program.
  • 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 and applications are due July 1st.
  • 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.  Awards vary and applications are due June 30th. 
  • Mary Peed Baker Scholarship-Mrs. Baker graduated from Norfolk Protestant Hospital School of Nursing (now Sentara School of Health Professions).  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.  Applications are due July 1st.
  • 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.  Deadline for application is February 15th-but time for endorsement should be allowed making the deadline January 15th. 
  • 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.  Requirements include a 2.2 GPA or higher, two letters of recommendation from faculty, and a brief essay.  Awards vary from $500 to $3,000 and applications are due May 15th.
  • 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 and applications are due January 31st.
  • 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 and applications are due June 30th.