How are you funding school? Right now I have some Pell money, not enough for the whole program, so I am searching for grants and scholarships. I am finding it hard to find any LPN scholarships, most are for RN and up.

If I were to find a grant and if the grant and Pell together were more money than the tuition and books/supplies is it ok to use the left over for living expenses like child care? I don't want to do anything sketchy.

Have you found any scholarships/grants in odd places?

Hi! Well, I would love to hear from others on this question, myself!

My funding options have (or had!) a lot to do with my decision to pursue becoming an LPN (IF I can score well enough on the Math sections of the TABE to get into my local program), then bridge to a BSN while working full-time, rather than going to an ABSN program.

That said, once I figured out that I can save mucho $ and live a much more balanced lifestyle with this track, I became very, very excited and enthusiastic about the fact that I will be able to start nursing in a year. (I can't wait!)

I am funding my LPN program tuition, fees and books with a scholarship from my tribe (Chickasaw). I am just very blessed that the program near me costs just a bit less than the Vo-Tech maximum for our tribe.

I will work part-time while in the program (no choice), but because I do web development, I'll be able to work around my school/study schedule. As a widow and empty-nest mom, with a LOT of academic experience (one bachelors and two masters in Allied Health), I think I'll be able to pull it off, though I know it won't be easy.

Now, to share what I think may help you (which is really what's important here):

Talking with various advisors (primarily two) in my area, I have learned that some institutions will help you with your LPN or RN tuition, etc., if you sign a contract to work with them for a certain period of time after graduating. These contracts can actually be bought out by other institutions, if you want/need to move, and can find an institution willing to do it - and apparently, in Oklahoma, that happens.

Also, there are scholarships that you can only find out about through the advisors at schools, it seems.

There are also scholarships for minority nurses, etc.

Most important: YES, you can spend the leftover money on life and living expenses. In fact, the money you have left after grants and loans is FOR you to use to be able to pay your bills while you're going through school.

Then, after school, you may be able to have some of your loans forgiven, if you work in a rural area. There is a special program for this, through HERSA.

:)

p.s. I think the key point here is that you should start making calls to program advisors and asking lots and lots of QUESTIONS. They know where the goodies are stashed. :)

I am searching, not finding much. One of the grants I was working on applying for (long process...including grant orientation, mandatory classes on resume writing and interview techniques) lost the funding, so all that paperwork and time in the toilet. The funding was cut due to sequestration. The hunt continues!

Hi... have you talked with advisors at the school(s) you're interested in attending?

One conversation with an advisor yielded me more scholarship info than hours of searching online...

Also, subsidized loans can be a prudent option...

Are you planning to go to a public or private school? Usually, the former is much less expensive (because of public funding).

However, public institution tuition can vary. For instance, I learned that one public technology center in my area charges about $16,000 for the LPN program, while another (the one I'll attend) charges about $5,000.

The two programs are credentialed in the same way, have the same career ladder opportunities, etc...

Anyway, let an advisor know your exact financial situation (even if you weren't reared to discuss your finances with "strangers" - a stumbling block for me that cost me a lot in my first bachelors program).

He or she is likely to give you lots of leads...

Hello!

I qualified for PELL as well, & here in GA if you meet the qualifications you are able to get a lottery-funded grant (called HOPE) in addition.HOPE covers 80% of the tuition, PELL covers the difference & I'm sent a refund check for the remainder.I also take out small federal student loans through my school cover my regular expenses (daycare, gas, etc.)..And because PELL & HOPE cover EVERYTHING, the entire student loan is "refunded" to me & it's usually more than what I actually need.