[rockexrolloh]

Hello all. I am applying to the nursing program this April for the fall. I won't find out if I am accepted into the program until this summer, but I need to fill out my FAFSA and am usually offered Stafford Loans to pay for tuition.
I don't know what to do about taking a loan out to pay for living expenses if I do get into the program.
Should I go ahead and file my FAFSA and accept the Stafford loan, then if I get in to the program, apply for another loan?? I'm so stressed out.
I can't work if I'm in the program, but I have a car payment, credit card payment, and groceries to pay for.
What kind of loan should I get to pay for all of these things? I go to Ivy Tech and the Stafford loans now barely cover my books and tuition.
Any advice would be great. I'm so stressed out, I'm about to just give up on nursing all together!!

I'm also worried about taking these huge loans out and then paying them back. I want to get my ASN then go onto get my NP license. I don't know how I'm going to pay back student loans plus continue my education.

[mrs.frog]

Hi,
There are several loans that you can get. Sallie Mae offers student loans as well as Stafford. You can have them with the option of deferred payments until you get out of school. I would not count on living totally on your loan money though. If you can work even part time ie: weekends- it would help out. A lot of people have to work when in the program PLUS school. If you think you are unable to do this- maybe waiting a year and doing some of the co-req's that year so that your load won't be so heavy. The more you can do before, the less the load/stress during school.

Definatley fill out your FASFA by the dealine date in order to quality for all your grants and such. There is also a website for scholarships ( fastweb)I would advise you to check that out also.
Your student loans do not become due until 6 months after you graduate school. So if you attend school for your RN and then go directly into BSN and so on, they are deferred until your out of school.

Nursing/going to school can be very stressful! Take a deep breath and you will be fine. But definately get the FASFA done and check out scholarships.
Hope this helps!
Good luck.
Brenda

[2bNurse Elizabeth]

The Dept. of Health and Human Resources is offering an R.N. loan repayment program. You have to agree to work a certain amount of time in an area of need, which includes hospitals. The link is http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm

The application for next year isn't available yet, but there's a link to sign up to receive an email when it is. They also offer a scholarship program that pays your tuition, books, uniforms, etc., as well as a $1200 monthly stipend. The link for it is http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/scholarship/ Same thing about the app not being available yet for this year.

Hope this helps!

[sweetie24]

The amount of money you get from FASFA goes up every year you are in school. So, the first year you are in school you get the least amount of money. I'm not sure how much it goes up though but you should get more. Check out the scholarships! I know Ivy Tech has a ton of scholarships for nursing students. LIke 2bnurse Elizabeth said. They do require that you work in Indiana for 2 years as a nurse otherwise you need to pay them back!