• Have financial need (except for Direct Unsubsidized Loans).
• Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
• Attend a participating college as a regular student and be working toward a degree or certificate.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security Number.
• Be making satisfactory academic progress.
• Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes. 
• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and you do not owe money on a federal student grant.
• Be registered with Selective Service (if required)

In Addition:

• Federal student loans must be repaid.
• Students going to college less than half-time may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants and some other federal student aid programs.
• Students who have received a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants or FSEOG, but may be eligible for other federal student aid programs.
• Students who are attending two schools in the same enrollment period can only receive financial aid at one of the schools.
• Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible.

The following sources of aid are available:

Federal

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Direct Loans
• Federal Work-Study Programs (FWS)
• VA Benefits

State

• Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program (MAP)

Private

• Loans and scholarships from private sources, such as hospitals and health care agencies, service organizations, foundations, and civic organizations
• Gift aid awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement

Programs are outlined in more detail in the Financial Aid Handbook.

Eligibility to receive need-based aid is based on a difference between what the parent or spouse and student are expected to contribute toward an education at Graham Hospital School of Nursing and the cost of education. The family contribution is determined by a federally required formula that weighs factors such as income, assets, debts, family size, number in college, and recognized family expenses. 

Awards are based on need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who request financial aid to attend Graham Hospital School of Nursing must list Graham Hospital School of Nursing’s federal code number 008938 on their FAFSA.

Listed below are the steps involved in the application procedure:

• Step 1 Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply for student aid electronically at https://studentaid.gov/fafsa or use the myStudentAid mobile app. Be sure to follow the instructions and answer all required questions carefully.                                                                                                If you filed electronically and provided a valid e-mail address, you will get an email within three to five days. The e-mail contains a secure link so you can access your Student Aid Report (SAR) online. If you apply by mail, it will take about two to three weeks for your FAFSA to be processed and for you to receive a SAR in the mail. Graham Hospital School of Nursing will receive the report electronically. 
• Step 2 Complete the Graham Hospital School of Nursing Financial Aid Application and return it to the Coordinator of Admissions, Recruitment, and Financial Aid.
• Step 3 Information received from these documents is used to determine need eligibility for funds. All information is held in confidence. Information will not be released without consent of the student. Students will be notified of any documentation needed by the Office of Student Affairs. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, verification worksheets and other income information.
• Step 4 After all information is submitted to the Office of Student Affairs, you will receive a financial aid award letter listing the amount of assistance offered to you. You must sign and return the school copy of the award letter to the Office of Student Affairs, indicating your acceptance or refusal.

According to federal and state guidelines, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to be awarded financial aid. Financial aid recipients must satisfy the quantitative as well as qualitative measurements in their progress toward completion of their degree. This policy applies to each financial aid recipient, whether a previous aid recipient or not. The policy is outlined in the Financial Aid Handbook. Copies of the policy are also available in the Office of Student Affairs upon request.

Students have a right to appeal their financial aid decisions and must follow the guidelines listed under Appeals in the Financial Aid Handbook.

A consortium contract is signed by Spoon River College and Graham Hospital School of Nursing. The agreement states that any student enrolled in Graham Hospital School of Nursing and Spoon River College (for nursing support courses) will only receive financial aid through Graham Hospital School of Nursing.

2022-2023 Financial Cost Information

Upon receipt of final acceptance, all entering students are required to pay a non-refundable $75.00 enrollment deposit to ensure a place in the entering class.

Tuition at Graham Hospital School of Nursing is comparable to other hospital-based diploma programs. 

Net Price Calculator

Approximately four weeks after the start of each semester, two copies of the billing form are provided for each student. Upon receipt of the two copies of the billing form, the student is to:

• Sign and return one form to the Office of Student Affairs.
• Retain one form for a personal record.

All student aid, including loans, is applied directly to the student account. If a balance remains, students may utilize a payment plan to pay the balance. The payment plan will allow students to make three equal monthly installments due no later than the 1st of the month. Fall semester payments are due October, November, and December. Spring semester payments are due March, April, and May. Payments not received by the due date will be assessed a $25 late fee. The payments should be paid to the cashier on the main floor of the hospital. If the billing reflects a credit due, students will receive their credit check from the Office of Student Affairs.

Students will not be furnished an official report of grades, a transcript of credit, receive a diploma, or be permitted to register for another semester until all financial obligations to the school are paid.

Students who withdraw from or fail the program with tuition amounts outstanding will immediately owe the balance of tuition plus interest. The interest will accrue on the unpaid portion of the tuition at the rate of 10% from the date of withdrawal.

Students are responsible for the purchase of a white uniform, white nursing shoes, white lab coat, official white school polo shirt with the GHSON logo, navy scrub pants, and school patches. Students may purchase their uniforms at any uniform or medical supply store. Please see Student Handbook for dress code.

Graham Hospital School of Nursing books and supplies may be purchased through the Graham Hospital School of Nursing library. Fees for books and supplies can be added to the student’s billing with their permission. In the case of withdrawal from Graham Hospital School of Nursing, books and supplies are considered an institutional charge and will be refunded according to the refund policy listed in the School Catalog and Financial Aid Handbook.  All incoming transfer students receive a complete set of textbooks for the current semester, plus a complete set of previous course texts, purchased through the library when they enter the program.

Veteran’s Benefits

Graham Hospital School of Nursing will not take any of the following four actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the school:

• Prevent their enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to;
• Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class; provide written request to be certified; provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).

G.I. Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. 

Veteran’s Attendance Policy

Students receiving Veteran’s Benefits from the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs are required to have satisfactory attendance. To maintain the benefit, the VA Benefit recipients must attend 75% of theory classes and 100% of clinical experiences. Attendance records will be maintained in student files and submitted to the VA as required. 

Students with consistent unreported/unexcused absences will be subject to a meeting with the director of the program and may result in a course failure and/or program suspension or dismissal. Students not adhering to the VA requirements are subject to having their benefits revoked.

The institutional refund policy exists for calculating the refund of institutional charges, which include tuition, fees, and, if applicable, nursing books (print & electronic), and nursing equipment. Only like-new (unused and undamaged) books and equipment may be returned for a refund. Books with access codes scratched off are considered used and cannot be returned.

*A 15% shipping and handling fee will be charged to return of nursing books.