Financial Aid and Costs for Citizens School of Nursing

Financial aid programs help defray the cost of your education. These can be state and federal government aid programs and scholarships, private scholarships, loans, grants, and more. The Financial Aid Office at Citizens School of Nursing can help you determine your eligibility for certain programs and assist you with your applications.  

Tuition, fees, and cost of attendance

Our program covers 22 months starting in 2023 and with a projected end date in 2025. The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimated cost for a student to attend school. The COA includes the estimate of tuition and fees, cost of room and board (or living expenses), cost of books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and miscellaneous expenses.

The COA is used to help determine what financial aid a student may be eligible to receive. The student’s total financial aid, including scholarships, grants, federal loans, private loans, etc., cannot exceed their COA.

Below is the COA for the 23/24 academic year. The COA is updated on an annual basis.

1st Year
Student
PA Resident

2nd Year
Student
PA Resident

Tuition*

$14,010.00

$13,195.00

Fees

$3,500.00

$2,405.00

Books &
Supplies

$1,209.00

$574.00

Housing

$7,200.00

$8,000.00

Personal

$11,000.00

$10,000.00

Transportation

$1,200.00

$1,200.00

Loan
Origination
Fees

$100.00

$100.00

Total
Estimated
Costs

$38,219.00

$35,474.00

Download the Tuition and Fees form to see how the costs break down and read on to learn how financial aid programs and our Financial Aid Office can help defray your cost. 

About financial aid

Financial aid helps students and their families afford the costs associated with attending a post-secondary institution. This financial assistance covers educational expenses including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, and more. There are several types of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and student/parent educational loans.

Financial Aid Office

The AHN School of Nursing Financial Aid Office is here to assist you in the process of applying and completing all required documentation for financial aid. Use the following step-by-step guide on how to apply for financial aid and to learn about additional resources and tips to find funding to help cover your tuition and fees. Do not hesitate to email or call us with questions, comments, or concerns.

Sarah Loomis
Director of Financial Aid
(412) 578-5530
sarah.loomis@ahn.org

Natalia Wassel
Citizens School of Nursing
Student Account and Registration Coordinator
Title IX Coordinator
(724) 367-2389
natalia.wassel@ahn.org

Step-by-step guide to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

All students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before May 1 so that they will be considered for all grants, including the Pennsylvania state grant (PHEAA) and the federal Pell grant and other financial aid. The FAFSA form and instructions to file the FAFSA are on the web.

The results of filing the FAFSA determine each applicant’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The cost of attendance (COA) minus the EFC equals demonstrated need.

To apply:

Step 1: FSA ID. Start by obtaining a Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID) at studentaid.gov. The FSA ID is your legal electronic signature for all online federal financial aid applications. You (and your parent, if you are considered a dependent) must have an FSA ID. It takes approximately 48 hours for the FSA ID to be validated; therefore, it is imperative you apply as soon as possible. You cannot create an FSA ID on behalf of someone else. Do not give out your FSA ID to anyone.

If you are a dependent student, both you and one parent must create an FSA ID. You and your parent must have different email addresses.

If you are not sure if you are a dependent student, check your dependency status.

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Once you create your FSA ID, you will be able to electronically sign the FAFSA and loan applications. 

  • Having your completed 2021 IRS 1040 and W2s handy will help with the FAFSA application process. Most of the income questions are found on the federal IRS 1040 and W2s.
    • If you are a dependent student, you will want to have both yours and your parent’s federal tax return handy. 
  • AHN School of Nursing federal school codes are: 
    • West Penn Hospital School of Nursing – 00658300
    • Citizens School of Nursing – 00653400 
  • The FAFSA application should take about 20 minutes. 
  • If you need to stop in the middle of the application, remember to save your work. Once you submit your FAFSA, it takes approximately two to three business days to process the application. You will then receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is a confirmation of the information you entered on the FAFSA. 

The information provided on the FAFSA was used to calculate an EFC. The EFC determines what type and how much financial aid a student is eligible to receive. To make sure your EFC is correct, review all of the information on your SAR carefully. If you need to make a correction, you can do so online via the FAFSA website. 

Step 3: State of Pennsylvania Financial Aid. Residents of the state of Pennsylvania have a number of financial aid opportunities through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These programs are administered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). 

To apply for a state grant, link to the application directly from your FAFSA application prior to logging out of the FAFSA or go to aessuccess.org. To learn more about grant opportunities, visit aessuccess.org

Some Pennsylvania state grant options include:

  • The PATH Program (Partnerships for Access to Higher Education). PATH is a partnership with nonprofit organizations that offers scholarships to needy students. These scholarships have the potential to be matched by PHEAA on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Visit pheaa.org for a list of participating partners. 
  • Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program. This program assists children of Pennsylvania police officers, firefighters, rescue and ambulance squad members, corrections employees, and National Guard and sheriff’s office staff who died in the line of duty. 
  • Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program (EAP). This program was created for students who enter a commitment with the National Guard. 
  • Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant Program. Through this program, blind or deaf Pennsylvania residents may apply for funds to help pay for their education. 
  • Pennsylvania CHAFEE Education and Training Grant. This grant provides grants to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care. 

Step 4: Federal Direct Student/Parent Loans. Students who are planning to borrow student loans to help cover the cost of a program must complete two forms, a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling. 

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document you sign promising to repay student loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, it explains the terms and conditions of borrowing a student loan(s). 

  • It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the MPN. 
  • You must log in using your own FSA ID. 
  • You will need the name and address for at least two references. 

Entrance counseling ensures that you understand the responsibilities and obligations of borrowing a federal student loan. The Department of Education requires you to complete entrance counseling. Please keep the following in mind when doing so: 

  • It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and must be completed in a single session. 
  • You must log in using your FSA ID. 
  • You will need the name(s) of the school(s) you wish to notify of counseling completion.

Grants and scholarships

Most scholarships are gifts and don’t have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded to a student based on guidelines set by the scholarship organization.

Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell grant is a federal grant applied for by using the FAFSA. The central aid processor will email a Student Aid Report (SAR). This aid does no