Are student loans haunting you?

Nurses Rock Toon

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    by Joe V
    Specializes in Programming / Strategist for allnurses.

You are reading page 4 of Are student loans haunting you?

multi10

180 Posts

I received my BSN from a state university and my dad paid my tuition. I worked summers as a waitress and paid for my books. I also lived at home with my parents while in nursing school. 7 years later (still in my 20s), recognizing how physically taxing nursing is (among other things), I applied to law school. I was accepted and called my dad. He refused to pay for my law school. Okay. I respected that. I took out student loans and signed on the dotted line(s).

After I graduated and passed the bar exam, my dad wrote checks for all of my student loans. He had been testing me to see if law school was just a flash in the pan.

retiredlady

147 Posts

Be sure to tell your co-signers that if you can't pay for the student loans that they will have to pay them for you. The best advise is DON'T co sign anybodies student loan! unless YOU have lots of money.

Specializes in NP student.

TheCommuter------$1,500 monthly for 10 years WOW ! I am pre-nursing student and thinking about loans but $1,500 its just wey too crazy

bbmtnbb

74 Posts

I am planning on either a state college or a community college and those are NOT that expensive. Glad it is still an option here. WOW that is a huge amount $1500 a month for 120 months! More like community college at $2700 plus books and supplies and fees. Not more than $4000. Save for that (saving) and if 3 years at State college is $21000 for the 3 years. (also saving but looking for scholorships too) Want to keep student loans as cheap or non existant as possible.

maffechr

10 Posts

I am planning on either a state college or a community college and those are NOT that expensive. Glad it is still an option here. WOW that is a huge amount $1500 a month for 120 months! More like community college at $2700 plus books and supplies and fees. Not more than $4000. Save for that (saving) and if 3 years at State college is $21000 for the 3 years. (also saving but looking for scholorships too) Want to keep student loans as cheap or non existant as possible.

Why look down at someone who is paying $1500 a month? Everybody has a different life path. Not everybody has the luxury of waiting 2-3 years for a community college nursing program to open up. Some of us have not been lucky enough to find high paying jobs, so we must rack up loans. I worked 20-30 hours a week at a dead end retail store after getting my bachelors, during my masters studies. I racked up the loans not because I was lazy, but because there were no other jobs available.

It's easy to judge people now, but walk a mile in their shoes.

SE_BSN_RN, BSN

805 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.
I am having a different sort of problem with student loans! I got my first bachelors degree a few years ago, and like many others wasn't explained the whole student loan thing...don't take more than you need to, there is a cap on Federal borrowing...etc. Well, I was a newly single parent and used the excess of loan money to help my family through the rough times. When I graduated, I realized that my true passion is nursing. Now why I didn't do that to begin with is beyond me..actually it was thanks to an advisor that wasn't much of one, but that is another story. Long story short, I had to file for bankruptcy and was discharged 2 years ago. I used the remainder of my Fed money on my pre-reqs. I am now in my Sophmore year in a BSN program and can't get a student loan because of my bankruptcy. The Finacial Aids office answer to me.."We never had a student like you before, I don't know how to answer...have you tried..", Yes I have tried many sources, and with a qualified co-signer! Still NO! I am going crazy, I am only about 55 credits away from my BSN..I am a excellent student. I can't work any more than I already am ( yes, they recommend 15 hours, my family can't live on 15 hours, I work 46 hours along with full time school and full time mom and maintain excellent grades). I don't know where to turn for answers. I actually sold most anything of value to pay the first payment of this semester. The next payment is due..the Credit Union I talked to assured me they do student loans with a co-signer just told me they changed their policy! I feel like a dog being kicked when it's down! I had to do a bankruptcy because of medical reasons at that time along with an ex who lost his job so no child support!! I am not looking for anything but hoping someone out there has some information or first hand knowledge of this kind of situation. Thank you in advance!

Yes, you can get a student loan because of bankruptcy. Go to Home | Federal Student Aid. Try there. You may not be able to get private loans, but you should be able to get a federal loan. Have you done a FAFSA? I don't know why/how your financial aid officers don't know why they can't answer your questions.

SE_BSN_RN, BSN

805 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.
I received my BSN from a state university and my dad paid my tuition. I worked summers as a waitress and paid for my books. I also lived at home with my parents while in nursing school. 7 years later (still in my 20s), recognizing how physically taxing nursing is (among other things), I applied to law school. I was accepted and called my dad. He refused to pay for my law school. Okay. I respected that. I took out student loans and signed on the dotted line(s).

After I graduated and passed the bar exam, my dad wrote checks for all of my student loans. He had been testing me to see if law school was just a flash in the pan.

Wow, that is great! Just not practical for the majority of us.

Tori11

16 Posts

Damn! Some of these student loan amounts are scary. I have the standard amount which is about 20000 and it is still a nighmare. I had a scholarship to pay my tuition and took out loans for room and board. I almost went back to school but couldn t fathom incurring more debt. Glad to know I m not alone. That student loan ghost is a beast.

maffechr

10 Posts

Wow, that is great! Just not practical for the majority of us.

Hopefully he or she realizes how lucky they are. And doesn't lecture us on the virtues of "personal responsibility".

darkbeauty

119 Posts

Hi there everyone

I have student loans of a little over $14K from my LPN program. I'm heading for my bridge LPN-RN programme, and my plan on paying cash from my pocket. I was able to do my prereqs cash from a local Community College. The LPN program wanted its money upfront, so I had to get a loan, PLUS it was difficult maintaining fulltime employment thru' the program. For the RN program, it will cost me more than $5K a semester, and I'm saving up doing doubles and gaencies galore to come up with that kinda of money for two semesters inorder to sit for my RN NCLEX. My question to you is: If you were in my position, would you take the saved up $5K and pay the current loans and cut them down to a lower balance, and take a another loan for my RN bridge, OR would you just continue with the curent monthly payments toward the loan and pay RN tuition cash?

Would luv to hear from you! Am looking on saving up for a house once becoming a Registered Nurse. I'd like to do that debt free. Advice, please!

sweetnurse786

57 Posts

Hello - I have students loan of $150,000. I have some from my previous Bachelors and then I took out a lot for Nursing school. Half of it is government loans and have is from private bank. I know it sounds scary but its worth it for nursing profession. I know right now jobs are tough but soon when the elections are over, things will settle down. The good thing about federal loans is that they work around you for payments like they have graduate repayment program where you can pay a small amount for a few years and then it increases and they also have programs tailored to your salary. So government loans are best to have and if you have loans that last for 25 yrs or so, they can be also forgiven...Private loans are a pain in the butt. They are horrible to take now because when the financial industry collapsed, the banks tighten up their rules and regulations. If you can avoid private do so...in my case, I couldnt, so now I have to pay them a lot of money per month, no matter what or they will ruin m credit.

Unfortunately, its the new American nightmare to be in debt for the rest of our lives :( but I am positive about things in life because I love my profession, I love being a nurse and I love taking care of people. That to me is worth more than money can buy....I know things will work out for me!!

Good luck!

Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
Why look down at someone who is paying $1500 a month?

"WOW that is a huge amount $1500 a month for 120 months!" != looking down on someone...

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