Great - 9 months to go and I may have to quit...

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So, I have 9 more months 'til I'm a nurse and can make my own $$ and very possibly leave my alcoholic husband.

I'm really excited and hoping these last 9 months will fly by & I'll be on my way to a better life for my children and myself.

Because we have 7 kids, I've been "randomly" chosen all semesters excpet for 1 by the FAFSA people to be "reviewed" before they will approve my financial aid and loans. From what I've been told, the 7 kids issue automatically triggers a review. Its getting to be a pain in the butt and I can hardly see how its random. But, its fairly easy to get through, just extra stuff that annoys me to have to waste my time to deal with.

So, again, about 3 weeks ago I get the letter from my schools financial aid dept saying that I've been chosen for review. Big surprise there.

I gather my paperwork, tax forms, ect and drive to my school 45 mins away and stand in the darned financial aid line for over an hour. Give them my papers, ect and ask for my book voucher.

I'm told to come back in 4 weeks for my voucher, thats when my review will be processed. Ummm.....school starts in 2 days.....I have almost 400.00 in books to buy. We have assignments from day 1 of classes, I know this because we already have our day to day schedules.

Seems the school changed the way they do things and now don't give out vouchers for books (extending credit to you in the school bookstore - you sign a form saying that if financial aid doesnt come through, you owe the school $$). Thats the way its been for the 3 years I've been a student there.

So, I'm on my own. I don't have $400.00 I won't have $400.00 anytime soon.

I don't have any credit cards. I don't have family that will help. Heck, I'm getting so desperate that I would have gone and written a bad check for my books & paid the check off when my $$ came in, if my husband hadn't gotten our account closed recently. :madface:

School starts in less than 2 days!!! I have no books!!!

I called and spoke to a financial aid manager and basically, I'm just plain old S.O.L.

I'm really mad that they changed the way they handeled this with no warning at all. :angryfire

If I would have had some warning, I could have probably tucked away some money for some of the books at least.

I emailed my instructors and there isn't anything they can do to help. To make it worse, I was trying to find them used but the books I need this semester look to all be new editions, so nothing is available used at a good used price. I did find one but after shipping, it would be the same as if I got it at the bookstore.

I am soooooo discouraged. I can't think of any alternative than to drop out of the program. I can do that, but there are no guarantees that a seat will reopen for me in the program.

I know there isnt much anyone can say, I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

I couldn't afford most of my texts last year either. I checked out older editions or texts from other publishers and got by just fine. I'm not sure why our library doesn't have copies of our required texts, but the info is often organized the same in alernate texts.

www.bigwords.com can help you find the cheapest price on used texts. Often, the previous edition is available for less than $10. That's how I'm planning to get by this semester.

Specializes in ER, Family Practice, Free Clinics.
www.bigwords.com can help you find the cheapest price on used texts. Often, the previous edition is available for less than $10. That's how I'm planning to get by this semester.

I second that, BigWords.com rocks my world. Old editions can definitely save you money, just make sure that you photocopy the table of contents from the new edition to cross check, because chapter 5 in one edition is NOT necessarily chapter 5 in another... I found this one out the hard way! If you are careful, this can be a great way to save money though.

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
I just wanted to add that usually college libraries carry all copies of needed textbooks for students to use...check there. Maybe you can make due until you get the $$ by using those?

I agree, talk to the nursing director. She may even have the texts to loan out for just such cases. GL!!!!

At the university I attended, all textbooks and other books designated by the individual instructors as "essential" to the class were kept on reserve in the library. They could not be checked out, only loaned for for a period of an hour or so at a time, which enabled everyone access to them to photocopy the needed info.

I also agree that an urgent appointment with the department head is in order. S/he can certainly arrange to loan you books for a brief period of time, even if they are older editions of the current textbooks, and should take a vested interest in seeing you successfully complete this program!

Best wishes to you!

The nursing program and the instructors have the book...Ask them if you can see the book and photocopy the pages..And the nursing program has a photocopy machine so I assume if they let you, you dont have to pay for that..I assume that you dont have to photo copy that many pages because you will get your money in 4 weeks..If your nursing program wants you to suceed, they will let you see the books to photcopy it..Talk to the DON at your school whenever you have problem like this

Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.

I have a crazier idea. Your story sounds very compelling. How about you ask the publisher for an unsolicited 'scholarship' to pay for at least your main text for the semester. Big companies are always trying to look for opportunities to look good. Sometimes they need a kick in the butt to do so, but it's worth a try.

In the meantime, do not drop out. Take really good notes and buy a cheapie recorder while you're waiting on your books. I would also pray on it. You'll be fine.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
At the university I attended, all textbooks and other books designated by the individual instructors as "essential" to the class were kept on reserve in the library. They could not be checked out, only loaned for for a period of an hour or so at a time, which enabled everyone access to them to photocopy the needed info.

I also agree that an urgent appointment with the department head is in order. S/he can certainly arrange to loan you books for a brief period of time, even if they are older editions of the current textbooks, and should take a vested interest in seeing you successfully complete this program!

Best wishes to you!

:yeahthat: Agree 100% here.

Check out your programs library ASAP... so many students go it alone and never seak thier support. I've even seen libraries purge previous years textbooks at low prices, even give out for free depending on program.

Please discuss with your nursing advisor first, then go to next level: department head.

We are all rooting for you. When there's a will, theres a way...usually!

Ive noticed at Borders too (if you have one in your area) they have some of my text books there, you could go there and do the reading if the school library doesnt work out! Good luck let us know how it goes!

I was going to say what someone already said. Sometimes college libraries carry the books for classes. You should really check there and see if they are available. Also, I know that in our nursing lab all of the books are available there too. You can find a way.....just DO NOT DROP OUT! You really have worked too hard to get this far. Try to think of this as a minor bump in the road. As others have said, go talk to the director, dean, past students, friends in your class, just do not take no for an answer. Good luck to you :)

Go to the faculty. They get free samples of the texts they use. Explain your situation and ask to borrow what you need until the $$ comes through. You may also look in the library (local branches too). THey sometimes have the books you need on reserve. If that doesn't work, you need to find a classmate who will share for a couple weeks -- or an upper classman who will lend you the books. What books do you need anyway? Some of us on here may have them and be willing to send them to you! Let us know. DON'T QUIT!

Barnes and Noble too.

Ive noticed at Borders too (if you have one in your area) they have some of my text books there, you could go there and do the reading if the school library doesnt work out! Good luck let us know how it goes!

Hi everyone.

I meant to get back to this thread much earlier, but life got in the way.

I only have a minute as I took Benedryl so I could get some sleep (first day back tomorrow and have lots of anxiety & Benedryl rally knocks me out) and now my fingers aren't really typing where my brain is trying to tell them to. And my eyes are getting all wonky too....

So its nighty night for me, but I wanted to thank you all very much for the great support and advice and ideas You all have calmed me down and I'm going to be checking into some options tomorrow. Thanks again.

hugs,

Stephanie

btw what is this smiley :trout: supposed to be for? LOL

I know how you feel. I work at a collection agency and these are some things we suggest to people to help get money to help pay bills. Maybe you could apply one or more of these to help come up with funds for books. I know you said you only have 2 days but some of these could at least get you a couple of the books you need if all else fails.

1. Defer a car payment of mortgage payment- May lenders allow you to do this for a small fee and your loan does not fall behind.

2.I know you said you had no family to help with the 400.00 but possible you have a couple relatives who could loan you 20.00 or 50.00 that could really add up.

3.Pawn shop- You end up paying alot of intrest but you get to stay in school.

4. If you have good credit possibly you could get a personal loan or student loan at a local bank. Some even will give you a check within 24 hours.

5. Yard Sell- You may not get all 400.00 but maybe could get enough to buy a couple of the books you need.

6. Consignment Shop- Get a little extra cash and clean out your closets at the same time.

7. Plasma Center- In this area you get 40.00 for the first 2 dontions and can donate twice a week.

8. Local Church- We have a local church that gives out tuition and book money and will even give up to 500.00 monthly to help students with living and transportation expenses.

9. Local Department of Health and Human Resources- They have grants to help with education expenses and living expenses while in school.

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