more student loan/cost of living loan questions

[nsgstudentjen]

Hello Everyone, I posted something similar about a month ago, thanks for the replies..but I need more guidance.

I will be starting an acce. BSN at Cal State Long Beach the end of August. As a result, I will need to quit my brand new full time job. I am very excited about school and realizing my dream of being a nurse. HOWEVER - I am pretty freaked out about quitting when I don't know how I am going to get money - and fast. :uhoh21:

I will get some federal loans, that will help with tuition.

I am mostly worried about paying my bills. I have looked at some private loans through various banks..but can't seem to figure out what is best. Questions for those of you with loans...

1. How did you know how much to take out (to live off, not tuition) I have done my bills for each month, but do I builid in more money than that to take out for emergencies, etc??

And advice on this would be appreciated. I have student loans from my first degree, but my parents handled all that and I just had gov't loans, not private ones.

Thanks so much! :)

Jen

[loriann, BSN, RN]

I too will be going into an accelerated program, but not starting until June of 2005. I will at least be able to save some money for the next year (and most likely paying off some credit card debt).

I sat down and figured out how much I spend in rent, utilities, food, etc. and multiplied by the number of months I will be in school, which is 15 for me. I then figured out how much from savings I could use, how much I plan to save, and came up with an estimate. Of course, you may want to add an additional month of two for doing a job search. I hope I won't have to do that. Good luck.