Vocational school

Sour Lemon · Sep 14, 2016

Hello everyone! I'm currently struggling finding a pay for a vocational nursing program. It is a private school that does not accept financial aid regards to FAFSA and ect. Does anyone know any places where i could go online to find private student loans but preferably grants and scholarships that do not have to be paid back.

How much research have you done on this school and the market in your area? I see red flags waving.

Naty23 · Sep 14, 2016

The school is curam college of nursing I'm taking their cna program currently. I'm paying for it out of pocket which is a bit of a struggle already but possible. The lvn course however is much more. I actually found some information about it on here from two people who said they've taken the lvn program there. Im hoping to get some information from them. The school provided me with some information on how to get financial help outside of the school but it's hard since I'm new to the work force and many of them help people who have lost their jobs not newbies.The school is fairly new.If you dont mind me asking what do you mean by market in my area?

Naty23 · Sep 14, 2016

How much research have you done on this school and the market in your area? I see red flags waving.

sorry Sour Lemon i didn't know i have to quote you to reply. I'm new to this... I explained in my post above.

AdobeRN · Sep 14, 2016

You probably have already done this but I am throwing it out here - Have you checked into your local community colleges to see if they offer an LVN program? It will be way less money and you can apply FASFA for student loans, grants etc. I went the community college route for LVN - for the year program it was about $3000 - only had 1 pre-req and you had to pass an exam similiar to the HESI but way easier.

It just about makes me sick to think of the amount of money some of these "private schools" charge - you take out loans for thousands of dollars that will take your entire career as an LVN to pay off - just doesn't make sense to me.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2016

If you dont mind me asking what do you mean by market in my area?

I believe I can accurately answer for her...she is referring to the nursing employment market in your area. If you are in California, the LVN job market in most parts of the state is absolutely horrid.

The state has 200+ LVN programs that saturate the local market with too many LVNs and not enough jobs. Pay rates are dropping, and it is taking some new LVNs a year or longer to find work. Buyer beware...

VANurse2010 · Sep 15, 2016

LVN licenses are simply not worth private school tuition given the diminishing job market and employment role - especially in places like California.

P.S. I'm not hating on LVNs. I was an LPN once upon a time.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2016

P.S. I'm not hating on LVNs. I was an LPN once upon a time.

I concur...I was an LVN who attended a vocational school. However, I saw the writing on the wall and relocated away from California.

Naty23 · Sep 16, 2016

You probably have already done this but I am throwing it out here - Have you checked into your local community colleges to see if they offer an LVN program? It will be way less money and you can apply FASFA for student loans, grants etc. I went the community college route for LVN - for the year program it was about $3000 - only had 1 pre-req and you had to pass an exam similiar to the HESI but way easier.
It just about makes me sick to think of the amount of money some of these "private schools" charge - you take out loans for thousands of dollars that will take your entire career as an LVN to pay off - just doesn't make sense to me.

I have looked into community college but the thing is to get into many of the programs in nursing you are picked by a random lottery system. Once I'd finish all my prerequisites i would have to wait for my name to be selected at random. My home CSU and community colleges are well known for their impacted nursing programs. I've heard many say that they have had to wait up to five years to be chosen, some say they have been lucky and chosen their first time applying. Although I would much rather go to one of my local community colleges because of the cost, I don't think I'd be able to wait more that two years.. let alone five years. I know that nursing isn't a quick career but I'm just looking at my options right now. I just graduated but I'm very anxious to just start my journey as a nurse. It's my top priority. If you don't mind me asking what community college did you attend? Did it also have a lottery system?

Naty23 · Sep 16, 2016

I believe I can accurately answer for her...she is referring to the nursing employment market in your area. If you are in California, the LVN job market in most parts of the state is absolutely horrid.
The state has 200+ LVN programs that saturate the local market with too many LVNs and not enough jobs. Pay rates are dropping, and it is taking some new LVNs a year or longer to find work. Buyer beware...

Thank you for clearing that up for me!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 16, 2016

Great information and advice from PPs.

Just wanted to add.... The reason why some programs "do not participate" in governmental student aid programs is because they are NOT ELIGIBLE to do so. Participation is limited to schools that meet all accreditation/approval requirements. Shady or unstable schools don't meet requirements. Schools can also lose the right to participate if their loan default rate is too high - since this is a clear sign that former students are not doing very well in the job market, I'd say it is a serious Red Flag, right?

Basically, if a school does not have any payment options other than self-funding or private loans..... RUN AWAY!