Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are advanced healthcare practitioners with similar responsibilities, such as diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medications. However, their training and paths toward certification differ in significant ways. This blog post unpacks the key differences between NPs and PAs to help you determine which career path best aligns with your goals. What Is a Nurse Practitioner? A nurse practitioner (NP) is a licensed clinician who provides comprehensive healthcare to patients of all ages. An NP can work in virtually any healthcare setting, diagnosing patient conditions and prescribing medications. As of October 2022, nurse practitioners have full practice authority in 27 states, meaning that they can practice Read more
Financial Aid
Financial Assistance Information
USAHS has several resources to help students who qualify to fund their education, including dedicated financial aid counselors. Every counselor is available to assist students at any point in the process.
The department staff are available to help students by email, telephone, or virtual appointments. Regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, Eastern time zone.
In addition to reviewing eligibility for one of the USAHS scholarships, students are encouraged to explore financial assistance programs available from health care providers who employ therapists or scholarships available for graduate education.
USAHS is approved to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and Federal Work-Study programs. USAHS complies with the requirement for consumer information to be disclosed to the student pursuant to the applicable federal and state financial aid programs (34 CFR 668) and follows the disclosure requirements of Section 485(f) of the HEA (Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics).
Federal and Private loan options are available to cover education expenses for students who meet the eligibility guidelines set by the lenders and who maintain eligibility and enrollment requirements including the satisfactory academic policy of USAHS.
You may be able to receive financial aid through a local state grant program funded by your state of residence. Check with the appropriate state agency.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students, but eligibility is not based on financial need. The student has the option to pay the accruing interest while enrolled in school unless the student arranges to postpone the interest payment. To determine the servicers on your Direct Loan visit NSLDS.
Students may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year.
The interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, for graduate/professional students, first disbursed on or after July 1, 2021 and before July 1, 2022 is a fixed rate of 5.28%.
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan has an origination fee which is deducted from the amount borrowed. Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2021 and before October 1, 2022 have a 1.057% loan fee. Students are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for this loan. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for more information.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans are available to graduate/professional students enrolled at least half-time without adverse credit history. Students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received and other resources which equals the loan eligibility for the academic year. The total cost of attendance may include tuition and fees, living allowance (e.g. room & board, personal, transportation), books and supplies. The interest rate for Direct Graduate PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2021 and before July 1, 2022 is fixed at 6.28%.
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan has an origination fee. Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2021 and before October 1, 2022 have a 4.228% loan fee. Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for more information.
Federal Work Study programs: The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides part-time employment to students attending USAHS who need the earnings to help meet their costs of postsecondary education, and encourages students receiving FWS assistance to participate in community service activities. This program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. Federal Work-Study positions are available in areas such as health care, education, literacy, wellness center, and tutors. For positions and requirements please write to [email protected].
Private Alternative Loans: Private financial institutions offer a variety of financial products to help graduate students fund their education. Visit ELMSelect to learn more about private lending options and download the Private Education Loan Self-Certification form.
USAHS does not have a preferred lender arrangement. The ELM website link provides a comprehensive listing of lenders that have made loans to the institution’s students within the past 5 years. A student/borrower can choose to use any lender, including a lender not listed.
To view data on USAHS on College Navigator, visit here.
While USAHS does not offer Title IV for students enrolling in the mid-term intake, or for any accelerated learning courses taken without a full term “Anchor” course, other financing alternatives may be available.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers two types of scholarships to all new students enrolling in the following entry-level campus-based and flex programs: Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). These scholarship funds are applied to tuition and fees only. We encourage you to review the eligibility requirements and apply for a scholarship. The application process will open three months prior to deadline dates listed below. OT students, please use this link. Scholarship application deadline dates: Fall Spring Summer Information on each of the scholarships follows: Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership Scholarship* The University awards these scholarships in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential to two applicants per program, per campus. The top ranked applicant from each campus-based program that meets the criteria is eligible for $6,000 per academic year ($2,000 per term). The 2nd ranked applicant is eligible for $2,000 per academic year (approximately $667 per term). The top ranked applicant from each Flex program that meets the criteria is eligible for $4,500 per academic year ($1,500 per term), and the 2nd ranked applicant is eligible for $1,500 per academic year ($500 per term). Scholarships are awarded to the entering students who best meet the following criteria: To retain Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership scholarship, a recipient must: If a recipient does not meet any of these requirements, he/she will be ineligible for the scholarship award for the subsequent trimester. The scholarship would be reinstated the following term if the student again meets the requirement. Community Service Scholarships The University awards these scholarships in recognition of dedicated students who help others, and who are regularly involved in volunteer work, possess an extensive service background and a demonstrated interest in future service. The top ranked applicant from each campus-based program is eligible for $4,000 per academic year (approximately $1,333 per term). The 2nd ranked applicant is eligible for $2,000.00 per academic year (approximately $667 per term). The top ranked applicant from each Flex program is eligible for $3,000 per academic year ($1000 per term), and the 2nd ranked applicant is eligible for $1,500 per academic year ($500 per term). Scholarships are awarded to the entering students who best meet the following criteria: To retain Community Service scholarship, a recipient must: If a recipient does not meet any of these requirements, he/she will be ineligible for the scholarship award for the subsequent trimester. The scholarship would be reinstated the following term if the student again meets the requirement. St. Augustine, Florida, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs are approved by the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the St. Augustine, Florida, campus. San Marcos, California, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs are approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the San Marcos, California, campus. Austin, Texas, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree programs are approved by the Texas Veteran Commission for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer on the Austin, Texas, campus. Dallas, Texas, Campus – The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Flex Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree programs are approved by the Texas Veteran Commission for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer on the Dallas, Texas, campus. Miami, Florida, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs are approved by the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the St. Augustine, Florida, campus. Post Professional Programs – The post professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Health Science, Doctor of Education, Master of Health Administration, Master of Health Science, Master of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Post-Graduate Nursing certificate degree programs are currently approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the San Marcos, CA, campus. Campus based First Professional programs participate in Yellow-Ribbon program for eligible Veterans. The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is pleased to continue participation in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Program for the Campus-based first Professional campus degree programs. Yellow Ribbon is a scholarship designed to help students supplement the tuition and fees cost that exceeds the amount allotted in the Post 9/11 GI Bill yearly cap. The program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Applications are accepted on a first come, first-served basis up to: The recipients of Yellow Ribbon can receive up to $10,000 (up to $5,000 from USAHS and up to $5,000 to be matched by the VA) for tuition and fees per academic year. For Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679 which means Post 9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments. For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Student must provide a VAF 28-1905 form. Please see 38 USC 3679(e) for complete details. GI 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 website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/. For questions regarding eligibility, yellow ribbon benefits, and the application process, contact the certifying officer on the respective campus. Military Tuition Assistance Active duty military personnel may be authorized to receive Federal Tuition Assistance. All Active Duty Service Members (including Guard and Reserve) must contact their Education Service Officer (ESO) or Education Counselor within your branch of service prior to enrolling in USAHS. Our Financial Aid Director is required to complete the DoD MOU Compliance Tutorial and have the experience and qualifications to administer Tuition Assistance funds. Return of Tuition Assistance: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, USAHS will return any unearned TA funds on a prorate basis through at least 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military Service branch. Instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion. The “Paying for College” webpage, which can be used by prospective students to enter up to 3 schools and receive detailed financial information on each, can be found here. Most financial aid is disbursed in three equal payments over the award period. Students in good standing may have an excess balance in their account returned to them to pay for indirect education expenses. Any time financial aid proceeds credited to a student’s account exceed direct charges, this creates a Title IV credit balance. The Office of the Bursar will automatically forward the credit balance directly to the student, no later than 14 calendar days after the Title IV credit balance occurs. It is recommended, at the beginning of each term, to make plans to cover living expenses for at least the first 3 weeks without reliance on loans. Loans do not begin disbursing until a week after classes start. USAHS has partnered with BankMobile to deliver your financial aid refund. For more information about BankMobile, visit this link: http://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices/ To view our institution’s contract with BankMobile, a Division of Customers Bank, click here. Latest Institutional Quarterly Report Update January 7th, 2022 – Quarterly Reporting Ending December 31st, 2021 HEERF II did not have any Institutional Portion Allocation. As of December 31, 2021, HEERF II Student funds were disbursed by USAHS in their entirety. Therefore, this is the final quarterly report for HEERF II. Update October 8, 2021-Quarterly Reporting Ending September 30th, 2021 HEERF II did not include any Institutional Portion Allocation to USAHS. Update July 9, 2021-Quarterly Reporting Ending June 30th, 2021 How much did USAHS receive from HEERF I and HEERF II? The total amount of HEERF II Funding USAHS received from the US Department of Education was $1,561,853. The entire amount will be used solely for student grants. USAHS has not received any institutional portion. How much of the emergency grant funding was distributed to USAHS students? As of July 10, 2021 for quarter ending June 30, 2021, the total amount of HEERF II- student grants distributed directly to students is $200. How many USAHS students are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under HEERF I and HEERF II? How many USAHS students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF I and HEERF II? As of July 10, 2021 for quarter ending June 30, 2021 the total number of USAHS students who received a HEERF II-Student grant was 1. How did USAHS determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive? How were the HEERF-Institutional funds used? For HEERF II, USAHS did not receive any Institutional portion. Last Updated: May 27, 2021 University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences acknowledges that it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement Form assuring the University intends to use at least 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. To meet the reporting requirements outlined in the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020, the University is providing the following information: Starting on May 14, 2020, the University has released CARES Act funds in the amount of $268 per student to 3,607 eligible students in the total amount of $966,676. Payments have been processed and disbursed through BankMobile, the University’s third party processor that issues student refunds, to eligible students who applied for the funding by November 1, 2020. The University informed students of the availability of this funding and steps to confirm eligibility through University communications, as well as posting on the financial aid website. The University has also allocated the remaining institutional funds of $26,416 to the cost of personal protective equipment related to COVID-19. As of the end of February 2021, the University has disbursed all HEER Student Aid as well as Institutional funds allocated to it under the CARES Act funds received in 2020. As required, the University also submitted its first HEERF CARES Act Annual Performance Report at the end of January 2021. Last Updated: August 5, 2020 University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences acknowledges that it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement Form assuring the University intends to use at least 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. To meet the reporting requirements outlined in the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020, the University is providing the following information: The University was approved for and has been allocated Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) funds under the CARES Act totaling $993,092. Those funds were received from the US Department of Education on May 13, 2020. Those funds were allocated as HEER funds for Student Aid in the amount of $496,546 as well as HEER funds for the Institution in the amount of $496,546. Under the CARES Act, we are permitted to award HEER emergency student grants to first professional Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology students enrolled in a campus-based degree-granting program of study as of March 13, 2020. Based on the University’s determination, all CARES Act funds that the University has received, including those received for the University to cover its own higher costs incurred due to the COVID-19 crisis, should disburse fully to eligible residential students as part of financial relief in recognition of the unprecedented COVID-19 situation. The estimated total number of students eligible to participate in federal aid programs and therefore eligible to receive CARES Act funds is 3,707. Starting on May 14, 2020, the University to date has released CARES Act funds in the amount of $268 per student to 3,586 eligible students in the total amount of $961,048. Payments have been processed and disbursed to students through BankMobile, the University’s third-party processor that issues student refunds. The University is planning to release the remaining balance to 121 students as their eligibility status is confirmed. The University informed students of the availability of this funding and steps to confirm eligibility through University communications, as well as posting on the financial aid website. Financial Aid Office Hours: We’re available to help you by email, telephone, or virtual appointment! Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, Eastern time zone. We have several resources to help you fund your education, including dedicated Financial Aid Counselors. Financial Aid Officers are expected to have knowledge, experience, and skills in Federal Title IV Aid, as well as Tuition Assistance and Veteran’s Benefits programs. Every counselor listed is available to help you at any point in the process: Department Contact Information: (904) 423-2010 or [email protected] Schedule an appointment to speak to a financial aid counselor today! USAHS Financial Aid Team Frank Ravja, Student Financial Services and Compliance Vanessa Flowers, Director of Financial Aid Erica Kelly-Daugherty, Financial Aid System Analyst Clara Cadatal, Financial Aid Counselor David Skinner, Financial Aid Counselor April Liwai, Financial Aid Counselor Adia Wright, Financial Aid Counselor Sacha Walker, Financial Aid Counselor Juliana Davis, Financial Aid Advisor Kiah Firebrand, Financial Aid Advisor Tysquan Meaders, Financial Aid Advisor Washington State Residents For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at [email protected].USAHS Scholarships
PT students, please use this link.
Veteran’s Benefits
Financial Aid Disbursement Process and Requests for Excess Funds
CARES Act & COVID-19 Guidance
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences acknowledges that it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement Form assuring the University intends to use at least 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (HEERF I) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. This report is posted to meet the reporting requirements outlined in the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020.
A supplemental round of funding called the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020. The CRRSAA (known as HEERF II) provides economic relief to American workers, families, and businesses who, through no fault of their own, have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. The University has accepted the HEERF II funds by signing the Certification and Agreement Form and intends to disburse 100% of the funds as direct payments to students. USAHS has received $1,561,853 for student grants and will award based on exceptional financial need as determined by the FAFSA. USAHS has not received any Institutional funds under HEERF II.
The total amount of HEERF I funding USAHS received from the US Department of Education was $993,092. Half of this amount—$496,546—is HEERF-Student, which must be used for direct relief payments to students pursuant to the college’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. The other half is HEERF-Institutional and USAHS has elected to convert the institutional share into student portion.
As of July 10, 2021 for quarter ending June 30, 2021 the total amount of HEERF I-Student grants distributed directly to students is $966,676. The final quarterly reporting/posting of June 30, 2021concludes all reporting on expenditures of the HEERF I student portion.
The total number of students at the University eligible to receive HEERF I grants was 3607. The total number of students at the University eligible to receive HEERF II grants was 2540.
As of July 10, 2021 for quarter ending June 30, 2021 the total number of USAHS students who received a HEERF I-Student grant was 3607. The final quarterly reporting/posting of June 30, 2021 concludes all reporting on expenditures of the HEERF I student portion.
Based on the University’s determination, all CARES Act (HEERF I) funds that the University has received, including those received for the University to cover its own higher costs incurred due to the COVID-19 crisis, should disburse to eligible residential students as part of financial relief in recognition of the unprecedented COVID-19 situation. The total number of students eligible to participate in federal aid programs as of March 2020 and therefore eligible to receive CARES Act funds was 3607 for a grant of $268 per student.
For HEERF II, the University of St. Augustine for Health Services has first identified all students actively enrolled in Fall 2020 who remained enrolled in Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 terms. The University than ranked Title IV recipients by lowest EFC (Expected Family Contribution) first, to confirm the students with greatest financial need, and then all other students regardless of Title IV recipient status. Funds will not be awarded to students who have graduated, withdrawn, or on a Leave of Absence, and undocumented, DACA, or international students. The anticipated awards range from $750-$200 based on exceptional need. The University plans to distribute these funds during summer 2021.
The University allocated the remaining institutional funds from HEERF I of $26,416 to the cost of personal protective equipment related to COVID-19. As of the end of February 2021, the University has disbursed all HEERF I student funds as well as institutional funds allocated to it from HEERF I funds received in 2020.
The University was approved for and has been allocated Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) funds under the CARES Act totaling $993,092. Those funds were received from the US Department of Education on May 13, 2020. Those funds were allocated as HEER funds for Student Aid in the amount of $496,546 as well as HEER funds for the Institution in the amount of $496,546. Under the CARES Act, we are permitted to award HEER emergency student grants to first professional Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology students enrolled in a campus-based degree-granting program of study as of March 13, 2020.
Based on the University’s determination, all CARES Act funds that the University has received, including those received for the University to cover its own higher costs incurred due to the COVID-19 crisis, should disburse fully to eligible residential students as part of financial relief in recognition of the unprecedented COVID-19 situation. The total number of students eligible to participate in federal aid programs and therefore eligible to receive CARES Act funds is 3,607.
