money to live on while in school

himilayaneyes · Oct 14, 2010

I was one of those people who took out a loan since that was the only way I'd ever be able to go to college. I was the first in my family to attend and actually finish college. However, I knew a lot of people who worked full-time and attended my university full time as well. So it can be done. If you've already finished your first semester as a nursing student, perhaps you can get a per-diem job as a cna or maybe look into becoming a home health aide or home health companion. It stinks but the only way to not work if you don't have a spouse or parents you can depend on is to take out loans or to go part time while you work full time to pay your way through school. You can also do the 1st 2 years at a community college, that'll cut costs. Good luck.

mermcm83 · Oct 14, 2010

Well me, I was working full-time all of 2010 as well, but was accepted to the program starting this past September. I had a long talk with my supervisor, I was fortunate enough to have that luxury, and a understanding boss. She was able to let me go so that I could claim unemployment benefits. Much less than what I was used to making, but something to live on, with sacrifices of course. I have found that it is very little money, but with all the demands of the program, I wouldn't have time to spend it anyway.....Good luck to you.

sunflowersrose · Oct 14, 2010

I am starting in January, we have 2 kids and my husband just retired from the Army, he can't find a job. We are just living off of his pension right now. I have 1 grant and 2 scholarships that will cover my supplies, uniforms, and books, so I am taking 1 $4,000 governments student loans each semester ( 5 semesters) to live on... for mostly gas, my commute will be about 50 minutes each way. once I am done with nursing school, I will deffer payments until 6 months after graduation, then consolidate them, so I only pay 1 loan payment monthly, and I get to keep the average intrest rate from the 5 loans.... that is what I am doing... student loans are good credit as long as you pay them when it comes time, there is no penalty to pay them off early and if you are in a tight spot you can defer payment longer and sometimes if you work in a low income area at a clinic or hospital parts of your loans may be forgiven. :) good luck!

Up2nogood RN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

I worked FT 3 12's as a tech while taking pre-reqs. Then went to PT for 1.5 yrs while in a LPN program. I kept my PT job in the hospital and worked PT as an LPN while I did an LPN to RN bridge program. It is possible to work and keep your loans down or even non-existent. Good luck finding what works for you:)

ETA, I did have to take out federal stafford loans for my pre-reqs, a different one for my LPN (which was over-priced as a private school), another loan for my bridge program, plus an extra loan for living expenses when I cut back to PT. I wish i would have taken the time to research other options and grants but 2 kids and a mortgage were my top priorities and just took the easy route of loans

My advice, if you do take out loans keep them with the same financial institution to make it easier later on as you cannot consolidate loans with different companies/types anymore.

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

I worked 30ish hours a week, in addition to using student loans and scholarship money to help fill in the gaps for living expenses. Most of my school expenses were paid out of pocket. I really only required loans the last year, when I was a single parent and my household income was reduced by about 60%. Even then, I graduated with only about $6K in student loans.

LauraDarling · Oct 14, 2010

I have a semester and a half- I worked full time the whole way through. In this economy- I did not get any loan and in TX, you cannot borrow against your home unless paid off 2/3. As a single mom, I did qualify for Pell Grant- which is kind of laughable. I received 700$ for this semester- The government only saw class time, not clinical, and since OB and PEDI are split, it looks like I am only taking 4 hours a week. But if I can do it, anyone can. One day and one step at a time. Good luck with school!

Stephanie Peterson · Oct 14, 2010

HI, I'm in the same boat. I'll be able to work while I'm taking my pre-req's - that will be for the next year. I'm not eligible for any grants at this point b/c I already have a Bachelors degree. So.... my plan is to take it student loans as my last resource- However there are a lot of scholarships out there... a lot, but I cant apply for the vast maggiority of them until I'm enrolled in a nursing program. I guess what I'm trying to say is that all of this is confusing and scary, but there are resources out there that will help some! Good Luck!!

Anne36, LPN · Oct 14, 2010

I'm also worried about how I will pay expenses while in school. I will have to take out loans just to pay for school and beyond that since my ex is unemployed my child support has been cut to 1/3 of normal payments with no end in sight. I dont have a job right now and even if I did I couldnt work during school. I have not found out how much school will cost or how much I can take out yet so Im very worried. For LPN school I dont want to go too crazy with loans or it will defeat the whole purpose of my education, to get ahead in life.

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

Well me, I was working full-time all of 2010 as well, but was accepted to the program starting this past September. I had a long talk with my supervisor, I was fortunate enough to have that luxury, and a understanding boss. She was able to let me go so that I could claim unemployment benefits. Much less than what I was used to making, but something to live on, with sacrifices of course. I have found that it is very little money, but with all the demands of the program, I wouldn't have time to spend it anyway.....Good luck to you.

If I were you, I would not publicize your method of financing your education. What you are doing is an abuse of the unemployment system. How are you handling the mandatory job applications that are required to continue your benefits?

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

I worked fulltime all but my last quarter of nsg school. I worked nights and weekends. Thank gawd I was only in my late 20's.

Taking out thousands of dollars in loans to live on is an awful idea. The interest when it comes time to pay is going to kill you for a long time. And you cannot write them off with bankruptcy or walk away from them.

Best bet is to work fulltime and save up as much as possible for your living expenses and then work parttime during school.

I know it ain't sexy, but neither is (maybe) graduating with huge debts. Nurses do not make that much to be able to pay it off any time soon...

rokbe, LPN, LVN · Oct 14, 2010

thank you all for your responses.They have given me a lot to think about.Im still so confused..but i hope to sort it all out