Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences, Aba (commonly called ACHCONSA) is a private, faith-based nursing institution located at Ogbor-Hill, Aba, in Abia State. This article explains the school fees structure for both fresh and returning students, the admission requirements, and other charges candidates should budget for ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session.
About Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences
The college is owned and managed by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, a Catholic religious congregation with a long history of healthcare service delivery in Nigeria. The institution takes its name from Archbishop Charles Heerey, an Irish Catholic missionary who served as Archbishop of Onitsha. The congregation established the college to continue its tradition of healthcare service and to train nursing manpower in a setting rooted in empathy and compassion.
ACHCONSA holds accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which qualifies its graduates to sit the professional licensing examination and register as practising nurses in Nigeria. The college runs a three-year Basic General Nursing programme that leads to the Registered Nurse (RN) certificate, and it maintains a modest admission quota per session compared to larger government-owned schools of nursing, which allows for closer mentorship and smaller class sizes.
Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences School Fees for Freshers
Fresh students admitted into the Basic General Nursing programme at ACHCONSA pay a combination of tuition and other compulsory charges during their first session. As a private nursing institution, fees at ACHCONSA sit above what government-owned colleges of nursing in Abia State typically charge, since the college does not receive the same level of state or federal subvention that public institutions rely on to subsidize training costs.
Fresh students should expect a total session fee that falls within the range of ₦250,000 to ₦400,000, covering tuition, registration, and other first-year charges. This range reflects the general pattern for private nursing colleges in the state, where costs run higher than public alternatives but remain lower than what many private universities charge for a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree. Because private colleges review their fee schedules periodically, candidates should always confirm the exact figure for the current session directly with the college’s admissions office before making any payment.
| Fee Category | Applies To | Estimated Range (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and academic fees | Fresh students | Included in overall session fee |
| Acceptance fee | Fresh students only | 20,000 – 50,000 |
| Registration and departmental charges | Fresh students | Part of overall session fee |
| Total estimated session fee | Fresh students | 250,000 – 400,000 |
| Total estimated session fee | Returning students | Slightly lower than fresh students’ fee, since one-time charges do not repeat |
Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences School Fees for Returning Students
Returning students, meaning candidates who have completed their first year and are progressing into the second or third year of the programme, generally pay a lower total than fresh students each session. This is because fresh students carry certain one-time charges, such as the acceptance fee and initial registration costs, which do not apply again once a student has been formally admitted and has completed their first year.
Returning students at ACHCONSA still pay tuition and standard recurring charges such as examination fees, practical and clinical training fees, and library or ICT charges each session, since these apply throughout the three-year duration of the programme. The overall difference between what a fresh student pays and what a returning student pays typically comes down to the absence of the acceptance fee and other first-time-only charges in the returning student’s fee breakdown.
What the School Fees Cover
The session fee charged by ACHCONSA generally covers tuition for theoretical coursework, registration and matriculation, use of college facilities including the library and skills laboratory, and administrative processing throughout the session. Nursing training is clinically intensive, so students should also expect charges tied specifically to clinical postings and practical sessions, since these form a core part of the Basic General Nursing curriculum and require supervision in affiliated hospital or clinical settings.
The published session fee does not typically cover accommodation, feeding, nursing uniforms, textbooks, or personal upkeep. Candidates need to budget separately for these items, since they represent recurring costs that build up over the three years of study.
Additional Costs Beyond Tuition
Nursing students at ACHCONSA, like students at most private nursing colleges, need to plan for expenses outside the core session fee. These typically include:
- Application and screening fee — Paid at the point of applying for Post-UTME screening, this fee currently stands at ₦25,000 and covers processing of the candidate’s application into the college’s admission system.
- Acceptance fee — Paid once a candidate receives an admission offer, confirming their place in the incoming class.
- Nursing uniform and clinical kit — Nursing students require a specific uniform, apron, cap, and other clinical accessories, which candidates purchase either through the college or from approved suppliers.
- Textbooks and study materials — Nursing coursework relies on specific reference texts covering anatomy, physiology, and clinical nursing procedures.
- Accommodation — Students who require hostel space or off-campus lodging in Aba need to budget this separately from the academic session fee.
- Medical screening and immunization — Nursing students undergo medical fitness checks before clinical postings begin, since hospital placements require proof of good health and relevant immunization records.
Admission Requirements for ACHCONSA
Candidates seeking admission into the Basic General Nursing programme at Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences must meet both JAMB and O’Level requirements before they can be considered for a place.
For the JAMB component, candidates need a minimum UTME score that meets the college’s approved cut-off mark, which stands at 150 for the 2026/2027 admission cycle. The required JAMB subject combination includes English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Candidates must also select ACHCONSA as their first or second choice institution during JAMB registration for their application to be processed.
For O’Level requirements, candidates need a minimum of five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or an equivalent examination body. The required subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings. Candidates must also be at least 17 years old at the time of application, which aligns with the general age requirement most nursing training institutions in Nigeria apply to the Basic General Nursing programme.
How to Apply to ACHCONSA
Candidates who meet the JAMB and O’Level requirements can proceed with their application through the following steps:
- Visit the college’s official admission portal and create an account using a valid email address.
- Check the registered email for an access code sent by the college’s admission system.
- Log in using the access code and complete the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and JAMB details.
- Pay the Post-UTME screening form fee of ₦25,000 strictly through the official online payment channel on the college’s website.
- Print or save a copy of the completed application and payment confirmation for personal records.
- Await further communication from the college regarding the screening exercise, interview schedule, or admission list.
The college has stated clearly that it does not use agents for admission processing or fee collection, and candidates who pay into any personal bank account rather than the official designated channel do so entirely at their own risk. Prospective students are strongly advised to deal directly with the college through its verified contact channels rather than through unofficial intermediaries claiming to offer guaranteed admission slots.
Why Fees Differ From Government-Owned Nursing Schools
Candidates comparing ACHCONSA’s fees to those of public nursing schools in Abia State, such as the government-run schools in Umuahia or the federal college in the same state, often notice a clear gap. Government-owned institutions receive subvention from state or federal authorities, which allows them to keep tuition significantly lower than private colleges that rely almost entirely on tuition and internally generated revenue to sustain operations.
As a private, faith-based institution, ACHCONSA funds its facilities, staffing, and clinical training partnerships largely from the fees students pay, along with support from the religious congregation that owns and manages the college. This funding structure explains why its session fees sit above what public schools of nursing in the same state typically charge, while still remaining more accessible than the tuition many private universities charge for an equivalent Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.
Payment Guidelines and Precautions
The college processes all fee payments through its official online portal, and it does not authorize collection of fees through personal accounts, informal bank transfers, or unregistered agents. Candidates should always request a written fee schedule bearing the college’s official letterhead before making any payment, and they should treat any pressure to “pay quickly to secure a slot” as a warning sign rather than a genuine admission requirement. Confirming the authenticity of any admission communication directly with the college’s administration, using verified contact details published on its official website, remains the safest way to avoid falling victim to admission scams that frequently target nursing school applicants during the admission season.
FAQs
How much does Archbishop Charles Heerey Memorial College of Nursing Sciences charge fresh students per session?
Fresh students should budget between ₦250,000 and ₦400,000 for their first session, covering tuition, acceptance fee, and registration charges. Candidates should confirm the exact current figure directly with the college.
Is the fee for returning students lower than for fresh students?
Yes. Returning students typically pay less than fresh students each session, since one-time charges like the acceptance fee do not apply once a student has completed their first year.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for ACHCONSA?
The approved JAMB cut-off mark for the 2026/2027 admission cycle is 150, alongside the required subject combination of English Language, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Does the school fee include accommodation and uniform?
No. The published session fee covers tuition and academic charges only. Accommodation, nursing uniform, textbooks, and feeding are separate costs that candidates budget for independently.
How do I pay my ACHCONSA school fees safely?
Payments should only be made through the college’s official online portal. The college does not use agents, and any payment made into a personal account is done entirely at the payer’s own risk.