How did/do you pay for nursing school?

[Joe V]

Nursing school is expensive. Many people have used student loans, scholarships, VA loans, grants, and even worked through school to pay for their education. The main reason for this thread is to provide information for people who can't afford the rising costs of nursing school. Many people aren't aware of the resources that are available. You don't have to give specifics but it would be great to see how people are paying for school. Please share how you paid for nursing school. Give any links or resources that you may have. Click Like if you enjoyed it. Please share this with friends and post your comments below!

[Skips, MSN, RN]

I go to a private college, so tuition is a little more on the pricy side.

I have taken out student loans. I also got two grants. My husband works and helps pay for my school (I am very thankful for that!).

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I thought the point of this thread was to help others. We can only help by sharing our business, for which I was judged for sharing. I'll treat your question as legitimate, though in the interest of helping others.

*** I am very frusterated by the false "nursing shortage" propaganda combined with the for profit nursing schools taking advantage of people desperate for a decent job. I realize I made my message sound much too personal twords you and for that I appoligize. I was expressing my dismay and frusteration but I should have been more clear that it wasn't YOU I was dismayed or frusterated with.

Firstly, I live in an area in which LVNs start as new grads at $21-$22/hr. After calculating health insurance, taxes and other deductions, I will be left with enough income to care for my 3 children while paying back the student loans.

Job prospects for LVNs are decent in my area, as long as you don't limit yourself to hospitals and day shifts only.

*** Since it is LVN school you are in I know you are in Texas or California. Based on the starting pay you mention I would guess California. It is my sincere hope that jobs at that rate of pay or better are available to you when you graduate. FYI back when I was an LVN the highest paying gig I could find anywhere was working for Ca. Department of Corrections. I didn't end up working for them but the pay offered was very high compaired to anything else. See this job announcement. They are paying Salary: $4,457.00 - $4,777.00 per month. That's quite a bit more than $22/hour for 160 hours a month = $3520/month.

Jobs.Ca.Gov

Obviously corrections isn't for everyone but I thought you should at least be aware of it.

Secondly, my spouse left me while taking my BSN prereqs. Then he evicted us. While i wasnt working. I have chosen an accelerated LVN program so I can literally get in, get out and get a job quickly. I would have had to wait 1 more year to start the 2 year clinicals for the BSN.

*** Sorry for your personal troubles. I admire you for getting out there and doing somthing for yourself and your family. I am disgusted that there are for profit nursing schools who can charge such outragous fees for an LVN program. BTW you said your program is a year long. That isn't accelerated. that is the normal lenght, actually longer, than normal LVN programs. Here in Wisconsin LPN programs are 9 months, 2 semesters, and cost around $3,500 total.

Thirdly, by completing my LVN, I'll be able to work while completing the rest of my nursing education, which I plan to be BSN and later, NP.

*** An admirable plan. When you do LVN to RN consider relocating. I moved to Wisconsin to do LVN to RN specificaly cause it only took two semesters and cost about $3,500 for ADN RN. RN to BSN was just another year at a cost of $6,400.

Fourth, this school is one of the least expensive in my area. Even our ROP programs run 20-22,000. Another school costs 33k and another 42k. It's the price you pay in my area for private school.

*** Are there no community colleges in your area?

[PMFB-RN, RN]

380 per credit my first year (32 credits), 400 per credit the second year (16). plus student fees , health service fees (800), lab fees (800x2) etc.

pay per credit. if you take all 68 credits, tuition is close to 35K. I graduated from PBISN in the city and yes I think its a for-profit never really checked.

*** That is outragously expensive. I assume there are either no community colleges, or they have such a long waitlist it's impractable?

and yes, thats the cheapest RN-BSN I found that suited my needs. 375 per credit for 34 instead of 300 per credit but 58 credits, or 515 per credit.

*** have you checked into U of Wyoming, Ft.Hayes State, or WGU? All of them are in the $5-6K range.

[chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

. . .

and yes, thats the cheapest RN-BSN I found that suited my needs. 375 per credit for 34 instead of 300 per credit but 58 credits, or 515 per credit.

*** have you checked into U of Wyoming, Ft.Hayes State, or WGU? All of them are in the $5-6K range.

In addition to the programs mentioned above, Ohio U is less than $8,000 ($243/credit, 31 credits required). UTexas-Arlington advertises that they are less than $9k, though that's a bit deceptive since there are at least 2 courses outside of the nursing program - Texas law and history - that pretty much everyone will need. There's also Thomas Edison in NJ, SUNY-Delphi (NY) and Slippery Rock State (PA) - all under 10 grand.

All of the above are on-line programs, with no or limited clinicals and with full accreditation, regional as well as CCNE (which could be important, especially if you're thinking of grad school). There are probably others as well but the point is that you can get your RN and BSN fairly inexpensively if you are flexible and look around a bit.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

I paid for my prereqs out of pocket, got a 4.0, got into the Honor's Program, and now, earned a full scholarship (merit based) through that program. I have to pay for books, but my tuition is completely paid for. I had enough to pay before I got the scholarship, but now, I can put that money toward my son's education. He'll be heading off to college in 5 years, and I hope to pay fully for his education.

[tewdles, RN]

I went to nursing school in the dark ages.

I worked 11-7 at least part time during college.

I had government funded student loans that I paid off after graduation.

My parents paid my living expenses when I wasn't living with them or living on campus in a dorm.

College is too expensive today, IMHO.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

Undergrad paid for courtesy of husband who is a pharmacist. Graduate school courtesy of loans for the next 3 years.

[MidLifeRN2012]

I worked my 40 hour a week daytime accounting job just to keep the bills paid and did an accelerated, full-time BSN program on nights and weekends. I used student loans and tapped out my 401 K.

Now I'm a new grad, passed NCLEX and looking for first nursing job. Nothing like changing careers at age 45. :)

[carleah]

In 2003 I graduated at Westchester Community College. I was taking care of my dad so his pension was not counted as income. I didn't qualify for a Federal Assistance because I was working part time but since I CLEP'd some prerequisites, I only needed about 11 credits per semester. At the time (I don't know about now) the state of NY had a program APTS Aid for part time students (11 credits and under). So I received 2000$ from NYS. I didn't think I would get a scholarship but was encouraged to apply and I did receive a $2000 scholarship from the Commty College. So I didn't pay a dime. CLEP if possible saves money too if you don't mind taking an exam and preparing on your own. I just used the Barrons AP self study books to prepare and I saved going to 5 classes!

Don't forget about the Hope Scholarship which is money you receive when you file your taxes: up to $2000 and look into this website that I just found out about. Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program

Nursing Loan forgiveness programs vary from state to state as well as the above federal help. Best wishes, Carla

[PMFB-RN, RN]

CLEP if possible saves money too if you don't mind taking an exam and preparing on your own. I just used the Barrons AP self study books to prepare and I saved going to 5 classes!

*** This is very good advice. I CLEP'ed every non nursing, class except Microbiology (not offered). I used CLEP to fulfill these classes in my ADN program

Written communication

Developmental psychology

Oral/interpersonal communication

Intro to psychology

Intro to sociology

Chemistry

2 electives.

I got 25 college credits In a matter of a few days for around $500. I just took them all and only studied for the ones I failed then took them again. I failed and had to re-take chemistry, developmental psychology and intro to psychology. The rest I passed without ever opening an book. I took all of them the same day I learned of CLEP. I am glad I didn't study for each one.

[RNpearls1908]

Hey I plan on applying for nursing scholarship with HRSA how was the application process and what do you feel made you stand out amongst all the other applicants?

[RNpearls1908]

Yes! Nursing school is super expensive! I went through a private school, BSN program so cost was about 40K a year. I worked throughout nursing school and during preqs minus one semester. Lots of scholarships and financial aid! I was apart of the nursing scholarship program w/ HRSA.

Hey I plan on applying for nursing scholarship with HRSA how was the application process and what do you feel made you stand out amongst all the other applicants?