Frequently Asked Questions for the
General Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing
10
What financial aid is available?
If you are enrolled as a degree-seeking student, you may be eligible for various federal and state grants or
loans. Contact the Office of Student Aid at http://studentaid.psu.edu/ for more information.
Completion of the FAFSA form automatically enters students into consideration for scholarships offered by the
College of Nursing. Information is available at http://www.nursing.psu.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid.
It is the student’s responsibility to look into various hospitals, professional associations, military groups,
community or other organizations which may also offer scholarships or low-interest loans.
How will transfer credits and Advanced Placement (AP) credits fit into
the nursing curriculum?
Transfer credits and AP credits may sometimes be applied to general education or elective credits. Admissions
determines whether credits from other institutions will be accepted. The College of Nursing determines how
these credits are applied towards your degree. Keep in mind that these credits would not impact your GPA at
Penn State. These credits have the potential benefit of decreasing course load, which could provide students
with the opportunity to explore a minor or other interests if desired. However, please note that a tuition
increase takes place when a student reaches 59.1 credits. Students bringing in credits may reach this tuition
“bump” earlier. Please communicate with the Academic Advising Office if you are planning on bringing in
college-level credits. Additional information on how Penn State awards credits for AP exams can be found at
http://admissions.psu.edu/academics/credit/ap/.
What and where are clinical courses?
Clinical courses typically involve a lecture and a hands-on component in a clinical setting. Clinical sites may be
anywhere within a 50-mile radius of campus. Clinical experiences and schedules vary each semester, but they
are typically offered in six- to eight-hour blocks between 6:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M.
Nursing students participate in nearly 900 hours of diverse and educationally rewarding clinical experiences.
University Park students spend one or more years (junior and/or senior year) at the Hershey Medical Center
Campus. Housing is reserved for nursing students at Hershey.
Examples of B.S.N. Clinical Sites
In addition to our state-of-the-art simulation labs, clinical locations may include:
• Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital
• Mount Nittany Medical Center
• Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Philhaven Behavioral Healthcare
• The Meadows Psychiatric Center
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
(UPMC) Altoona
• Doctors’ offices
• Schools or prisons
• Assisted living facilities