Paying for Nursing School

Good for you for thinking so far in advance! I started prereqs two years ago, and I was just like you--thinking ahead. Now that I got into my #1 choice school (state university), I can go to school full time and my last day of work is next Tuesday (I'm so sad about it though--I love my job and my boss!).

Many people already gave great advice about loans, and other federal aid. But just to add to that: pay OFF your debt ASAP!!! Trust me, you will thank yourself later as I have!!! I spend two years paying off debt, and it is SURE nice to have $xxx that would have otherwise gone to credit card or loan debt, back to myself!

I'm paying for mine with the Pell grant, Stafford loans, and lots of scholarships. And I do mean lots. As for you, it really depends on your situation. How old are you? Do your parents still claim you on their taxes? Are you a minority? How are your grades? If you're below a certain age or your parents claim you on their taxes, you may be ineligible for the Pell grant, especially if they earn a decent salary. If you're a minority, there are many, many scholarships available out there. And even if you're not, apply to as many scholarships as you can. Brush up on those personal essays now, because you'll be doing a lot of writing for your scholarship apps. And many times, different scholarships want you to write completely different essays. If your grades are good, then you have an even better chance of getting that scholarship over the the next applicant. Remember, all you are to the scholarship committee is an essay and a piece of paper with your basic information.

The estimated cost of attendance for me this year was a bit over 22k, and I am getting that amount in aid and scholarships, which is so awesome because I don't have to work my way through college. Even my books, nursing supplies, and health clearance was paid for. I can focus on my schoolwork exclusively and, at a later date, do an internship and volunteer. You are wise to plan now! Good luck on your journey.

I was able to pay for my pre-reqs with grants and I got a scholarship. Then when I didnt get accepted right away to nursing school I worked full time and saved. My first year of nursing school I just used grants and worked part-time and unfourntantly used credit cards to make ends meet. However now that I am starting my second year I am planing on using both grants and loans to avoid the credit cards, the interest rate on student loans is sooooo much smaller than the interest rate of credit cards.

I work full time at a hospital and am reimbursed at the end of each semester the tuition. Also, I applied for and got two scholarships. So everything is basically paid for. I praise God that I got those.

Now once I'm in the depths of my Junior year of nursing school, I might be singing another tune with the full time working and going to school. But I have to do what I have to do because I don't want to owe anyone money. No loans, no credit cards.

Took me two years to pay off my debt and I told myself I would never go into debt again for anything. And I mean ANYTHING.

I worked 30 hours a week all through school so I could pay my tuition at a community college which was pretty cheap. I'm not a fan of racking up huge loans for living expenses to "focus on school" and in this economy I'd strongly urge against it. Good luck and kudos for planning ahead.