How will you pay for nursing school?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Okay, so I have about 3 semesters left to finish my prereq's for the RN and 2 semesters more to finish my prereq's to transfer(for when I want to get my BSN). My financial aid will have been all used by the time I am done. A friend of mine advised I don't use my financial aid right now and save the rest for when I get accepted into an RN program. I was thinking of applying to scholarships but it's extremely hard because i am only going to be going to school part time for the next year. Has anybody else saved their financial aid for nursing school? Does it seem reasonable to do this? The last thing I want to do is take out loans. Also, any scholarships for part time students? I am only going to school part-time because I am looking for a part-time job as a CNA so I can save up money. I am also a mom and don't want to have so much on my shoulders that it and take all the time away from my little boy. Any advise? How do you all plan to pay for nursing school? I am blessed to have a mother that helps me a lot. However, our family is low income and I could never ask my mother to pay for MY expenses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Can your Mom help with babysitting? I went to school with several CNAs and one patient sitter who worked overnights which paid more and according to them there was time to do school work or study.

I worked throughout school and just I paid as I went. It was brutal at times but I was glad when I graduated not to have any debt. Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

She helps with babysitting when needed. His dad is very involved so babysitting should not be a problem. I prefer night shift sense both my mom and his dad work day shifts. Plus my classes are in the morning(because I feel like I learn more). My only issue is getting through school without burying myself in debt:/.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is a career change for me, so I won't qualify for federal loans. I'm paying for pre-reqs as I go. I will work during nursing school and hope to get some scholarships to offset the cost.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

If you are single and low income, sorry to offend anyone, but I recommend that you apply for welfare. There are several bonuses to this,such as the fact that they will help you get child support from the father. Then you can get off cash assistance. Furthermore, child care is subsidized for people who are on or recently off of welfare.

If your nursing school program is less than 5 days per week, you may be able to work A few days each week and more days during breaks.

During prereqs, I worked as an on call CNA and was on welfare after I became suddenly single.

Some people take out private loans. I don't recommend those, but I did take out the max federal loan amounts.

I don't think federally subsidized student loans are bad. But I think you should approach them responsibly. For me, I compared my estimated student loan payment to my expected income minus taxes, health insurance and living expenses. I saw that even at low area wages, I could afford the payment and still be in a better position financially than I was at the time.

amounts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well at this point working is the best option for me, saving up money, along with whatever scholarships and grants I can get. Child support has never been an option for me. My son's father and I have a good agreement. He provides my son with everything he need financially and he is also actively involved in his life. He already helps me so much and does the very best he can. I could never take his hard earned money. I hope I don't offend anyone. I undertand everybody has different circumstances.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am just praying I get approved for loans.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

After I run out, I'll be forced to apply for loans I guess. I keep my expenses to a minimum, so I hope a PT job can cover those.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

All of it is coming out of my pocket. Then again, I am single and have no kids, so I do not have as many financial obligations as others. But still, a huge chunk of my income goes straight into paying for school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

LVN program, 2005 - funded with a private career training student loan.

LPN-to-ASN bridge program, 2010 - funded with federal student loans.

RN-to-BSN program, 2015 - paid for out-of-pocket with my own cash.

MSN nursing education program - I start next month. I will fund a portion of the tuition and fees with a 3.9 percent interest fixed rate private loan through SunTrust and the rest will most likely be self-pay.

Since I've only ever taken out $12,700 in federal student loans, I'm nowhere near my limit, but the interest rates on private loans happen to be more competitive right now. I loathe debt, so I want to borrow as little as possible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment