How much do you owe in student loans?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been going to school on and off since I graduated high school in 2005. I finally finished all of my pre-req classes this last December at the community college. I also got my LPN in 2011. At the moment I am looking to get into an LPN to RN bridge program.

I work for the veterans affairs and I know that they help with student loans after you've been working there for a year. I was just counting up how much I owe...which is over 43,000. I laughed to myself...but this was the only way I could make it to where I am today. I'll apply for some aid from work after my 1 year point but it just has me thinking....

How much do you guys owe in student loans? What is the average?

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I graduated in 2008 with about $15,000 in student loan debt for 2 degrees. I finally managed to pay them off last year, but things were tight for a long time.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I don't want to look right now.

Specializes in Cardiopulmonary Stepdown/Cath Lab, ICU.

For my ADN it was ~10k.

The 2 years I spent "enjoying the college experience" was 15k... So total was around 25k. Been working a year and a half and have 19k left... I should have 0 debt, but I was young lol.

Oh well should be student loan free in about 7 years or less...Until I go back for my BSN:rolleyes: At least my place of employment offers tuition reimbursement.

Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

Well, it was nothing but I've just decided to go ahead and do the 'Quick Route'. An ADN bridge because I'm in a rush to get my RN. I'll probably owe about $15,000. I haven't exhausted my GI Bill. I'm also going to 'pay as I go'.

The cheapest semester is 3100. I can swing that.

I'll probably pay as I go for the rest of my pre-reqs and RN-BSN, too. Hopefully, I can get some scholarships and hook up with a facility that offers tuition reimbursement. Hazelwood Act is an option, too.

However, if I go for my BSN (and I am) then I'm definitely going for my masters. That's what worries me: The cost of the master's program.

Usually, I pay down debt aggressively. I've paid off $17500 in a year. Personally, I can think of a bazillion and one things I'd rather waste MY money on than giving it (plus interest) away to some lender. Screw that.

Besides, you have to get Sallie Mae taken care of. Large amounts of debt (installment loans) does hurt your FICO and credit worthiness.

I just don't know that I'll feel like killing myself to pay down that MSN debt.

Oh, well. Being 'debt free' was fun while it lasted. LOL

$15,000 for nursing and $18,000 for another course I did.

Specializes in ED.

$15,000 for a bachelors degree unrelated to nursing and my ADN. Thank God for my grandpa, as he funded the majority of my nursing degree. I want to get my BSN but I refuse to take out more loans.

Specializes in Step-Down.

Paid my LPN out of pocket in full and my ASN out of pocket in full both at state school. Hopefully paying my BSN out of pocket also at a state school. Most likley taking a loan for part of my masters later down the road.

This thread just highlights the point that education is big business. They get you sucked into the system with big dreams that may (or may not) work out. Once you get your first degree, it is tempting to go on for the BSN or MSN especially if there is a crappy job market like now. It postpones the pain of paying the initial debt but in the long run... is it worth it? I hope so as I'm considering doing the same thing.

Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

I owe about $70k, but that is including my previous BA. It sucks, but my boyfriend is making me these color-coded budget spreadsheets, which somehow makes it more cheerful.

$0

I went part-time through pre-req's and paid out of pocket for anything my pell grant didn't cover and the school didn't give me a scholarship for. I found out my 1st semester of nursing classes that my dad having a purple heart got me another grant.

After that, I got $$ back each semester b/w what I got from my pell, and what the government pays b/c I'm a child of a vet w/a purple heart.

Yea, well this country should be ashamed of itself for not taking care of returning heroes, Gold Star Families, and children of those who gave so much. Hope you are doing well, and thanks to the sacrifices made by all of you. God Bless. One way to honor heroes is to live life to the fullest, being fair and compassionate. Kudos to you!

This scares me! Wow...what would you guys say to a new student looking to go for BSN?

I went to community campus and got ADN..cheaper and affordable...about 1100 bucks a quarter (yea we were still on quarters). Did 6 quarters and paid for them as I went. BSN courses on line at a branch campus of larger STATE college. Stay close to home, buy used books or borrow, don't go into debt like many of these stories on here. I have a job now, debt free and making as much as the rest at my first job.

Around 11k for my BSN thanks to a ton of scholarships and dear old mom & dad

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