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Well, I've come to a serious bump in the road. Was accepted to nursing school for Fall 2012 and had my first orientation today. I've been extremely excited, but suddenly I feel like I'm drowning. Here's my situation...

I have a fiance and two children. My fiance has been a stay at home dad, which has saved us a ton on childcare and made my life easier. I work full time in marketing, so him staying at home has not been an issue. We have a nice place (which we rent). Our bills total about $2000 - $2500 a month (for everything -- rent, utilities, food, etc). I found out today in orientation that I really have no options other than to quit my job for school. I then realized that my school does not offer federal student loans. I do receive Pell and other basic financial aid, but I need student loans to supplement. I went to apply for a few private loans, and was faced with the roadblock of needing a co-signer for literally every loan (due to the amount that I need to borrow and the fact that my credit history, while good, is still rather young). I have no one right now who is able or willing to co-sign for me.

...now what?? If I quit and don't figure out a loan, we have no income. At least until my fiance can figure out a job situation for himself. I feel so defeated and depressed. I need help, advice, tips, ANYTHING! Nursing is my dream, and I have come so far, and now it seems as though everything is just crumbling in front of me. :(

We have community schools in our area that do not take federal financial aid as well. It could be because they do more certificate / associate degrees than other types of things also, and just don't want the hassle of dealing with federal aid ;) You can check with your school and see what private loan options they may have. I needed to supplement my financial aid but could not go through sallie mae, and disvoer and the others do not finance the school I'm attending... The school has their own private loan program. It has a cap, and you start payments immediately - it's kind of a last resort thing. Your state may also have last resort type loans, as well as specific state scholarships/grants to check into also. Good luck!!

Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

This may not be an option to you because your credit is so young but I paid for nursing school with credit cards, I had a better rate on my card than I could get on a loan, it was always paid off before the next semester started so that I could charge it again. Also there are some cards that offer 0% for 6 months or a year, as long as you have the means to pay on them it's not a terrible option.

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
The Discover student loan and Sallie Mae do not require co-signers, but co-signers will greatly increase your chance of having a lower interest rate.

https://www.discover.com/student-loans/add-a-cosigner.html

I looked into Sallie Mae, but they said I required a co-signer. I'll look into Discover in case I need it. Thanks!

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.

Just wanted to let everyone know -- I figured out my situation. It's not the route I necessarily wanted to take, but I WILL be able to attend nursing school and I WON'T be burying myself in debt. Thanks for everyone's advice!! I'll definitely keep it all in mind in case I hit a snag like this again in the future.

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
We all feel your pain, I'm in a similar situation myself. If you can do your current job part time that would help.

Only you really know what your capable of as far as time-management and working. I think they tell all student not to count on working just because some can't manage it with their other responsibilities. If you know your well organized and think you can manage give it a try. Some of the senior students at my school have worked 20 hrs, 30 hrs, 1 even worked 40 hrs plus was on-call and she still got A's so don't count yourself out until you try.

I'm fine with time management and all that. My thing is I have a 9-5 jobs Mon - Weds that does not have weekend or evening options (corporate job), so school really does not mesh. Also, my position there is a full time affair, plain and simple. Le sigh.

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
Why do you have to quit working? At orientation they stressed to us that you can not work and go to nursing school. Funny thing is, all of us work and go to nursing school! We (6 of the girls in my program and I) work on average 35 hours a week. Maybe you will have to take an MA job or be a cashier with flexible hours. Might not be a job you want but it will help you reach your overall goal...to be a nurse! If you have to put it off, try to find an evening program. That's what I am in and it is better suited for student who have to work! In the end, it is exactly what our instructors tell us..you will have to sacrifice for nursing school BUT it is short term!!

I am looking into getting some sort of part-time evening or weekend job. The only reason I cannot do school with my current job is that is a M-F 9-5 in a corporate facility, no weekend or evening options.

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
Yup, My friend works about 30 hours a week during nursing school as well to support her and her husband - so it's possible :)

It's definitely possible -- just not with my current job. So regardless of getting a new job, it leaves me with downtime in between that needs to be filled. Ah well, we've figured out an alternate route!

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
I realize that this may too late in the game for the OP, but I would take a serious look at why this school is not eligible for Federal loans. The reasons that schools lose their eligibility usually indicate problems with high default rates/ non-completion / drop out rates, etc. If there's something sketchy going on, it is best to know it up front.

I agree with PPs - the OPs partner will need to help shoulder the financial burden during the educational process. It was great to have a stay-at-home parent, but the situation has changed. Maybe both could work at part-time jobs?

The school is fine, believe me. It has been around for decades and is very well-regarded. It's not that their not eligible for federal loans, they simply choose not to participate in them. Many of the community colleges in this area seem to follow this trend, and instead coordinate with specific lenders to provide private loans.

Just some words of encouragement - I'm in my third semester of nursing school and I have two part time jobs. (A full time job is too hard to work out a schedule.) Two part times gives me more flexibility. One of them has a fixed schedule and one of them has a changing schedule. I've always been extremely up front about nursing school, tests, clinicals, etc. At the beginning of the semester, when I get my clinical schedule, I make copies and give the days that I will be in clinical to my bosses so that there are no mistakes. I always make sure my availability leaves me study time. And most of all, I take advantage of EVERY free moment I have. I am always working on some sort of goal. I keep a lot of to-do lists, and my planner is my best friend.

You can do it, it's just a bit hard. But my motto lately is, where's the fun in easy? ;)

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.
Just some words of encouragement - I'm in my third semester of nursing school and I have two part time jobs. (A full time job is too hard to work out a schedule.) Two part times gives me more flexibility. One of them has a fixed schedule and one of them has a changing schedule. I've always been extremely up front about nursing school, tests, clinicals, etc. At the beginning of the semester, when I get my clinical schedule, I make copies and give the days that I will be in clinical to my bosses so that there are no mistakes. I always make sure my availability leaves me study time. And most of all, I take advantage of EVERY free moment I have. I am always working on some sort of goal. I keep a lot of to-do lists, and my planner is my best friend.

I will definitely have to start looking into some flexible part-time options. It's just very scary having to leave this full-time job that I have been with for years!

You need to apply for private student loans. Check out Sallie Mae, thats how I'm paying for school.

Do you need to make 2000-2500 a month? If not, you can work Fri-Sun in a restaurant. I have waited tables on and off for 8 years and it seems to be the best place to make the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time. When I worked at Olive Garden, I made at least $150 a night on Fri/Sat night. I would usually work a double on Sat and Sun, then on Fri work 5-close. I would make between $400-$600 in those three days. Restaurants are super flexible and you can always be scheduled weekends and pick up extra shifts during the week if you need more money.

Good luck to you!

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