How did/do you pay for nursing school?

[Joe V]

Nursing school is expensive. Many people have used student loans, scholarships, VA loans, grants, and even worked through school to pay for their education. The main reason for this thread is to provide information for people who can't afford the rising costs of nursing school. Many people aren't aware of the resources that are available. You don't have to give specifics but it would be great to see how people are paying for school. Please share how you paid for nursing school. Give any links or resources that you may have. Click Like if you enjoyed it. Please share this with friends and post your comments below!

[PMFB-RN, RN]

The GI Bill way more than covered all $2,600 nursing school cost.

[Cmbnurse, BSN, RN]

I am starting my first year in a few weeks. So far I received full cal grant and pell grant. Federal loans and a scholarship. The rest will be paid monthly out of pocket.

[car48]

I wanted to post on the cartoon. If it is so easy to be a student athlete... go do it. They have a skill that is hard to gain and maintain. Imagine nursing school with 5 hours of practice 5 days a week followed up with a game on the weekend.

I was never a student athlete, so I am not bias in that regard. What annoys me is the idea that what they do is somehow unfair. You can hear the same type of thing about doctors and nurses. "Why do they have to make so much money?". Like the only effort it took to get our licenses was being lucky when fate was handing out jobs. That kind of notion goes along with the whole idea that healthcare should be a right. My labor is not your right. Sorry to break it to you, but when they come looking for places to cut to make healthcare more affordable they won't be taking it from the CNAs.

As to how I paid for my school. I was an older student and had my house paid off and money in the bank before I started. I walked out of nursing school with my degree and no debt.

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

Yes! Nursing school is super expensive! I went through a private school, BSN program so cost was about 40K a year. I worked throughout nursing school and during preqs minus one semester. Lots of scholarships and financial aid! I was apart of the nursing scholarship program w/ HRSA.

Nursing school is not super expensive - private schools are stupidly expensive. 40K?! You could have moved just about anywhere in the country, bought a house, and got an ADN and still not spent that much.

[aniretake, MSN, RN]

For me it will be a combination of savings + private loan + a side gig.

[gere7404, BSN, RN]

I'm using VA chapter 31, which pays for tuitions and fees but isn't a loan. In fact, the VA doesn't give loans for education; if you've earned benefits through military service you don't have to pay anything back, you already paid for it by serving.

also have received some scholarships and have worked full time the entire duration that I've been in school.

[Luchador, CNA, EMT-B]

Me-- post 9/11 GI Bill