I applied to 2 of the top [state] nursing schools/programs in my area and got into both: one was a community college program (not sure if it included an RN to BSN after the associates was obtained, but I don't recall seeing it when I applied) and the other was an Accelerated BSN program as I already have a 4-year University degree in English Literature (please, don't ask - I don't regret it, but others do for me).
That said, I only have around $12.5k that the government will give me toward this second bachelors degree. The rest all falls on me. Clearly I will have to take a loan. I am nervous about it, and have been reading all the posts on here that strongly advise against taking out a student loan for living expenses, but I am single and still live at home with my parents (who do not have $41,000 for the 58 credits required to graduate let alone the other expenses the school is extorting charging me), and I don't want to risk working my current 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. job where I was already reprimanded for doing homework (when I was doing pre-reqs) during my down time. Furthermore, classes are more-or-less 9-5 3x/week, and the program assistant let us know that depending on placements for clinical rotations, we could be going anywhere from 30 minutes - 2 hours away if we're one of the lucky few, and "no, [they] do NOT know where you will be placed until around the week before you start, so don't ask us unless there are extenuating circumstances like DSS may get involved, etc."
Now, I got the decision to go to the accelerated program about a month prior to getting the decision letter for the community college program, and the accelerated program only gave us about 2 weeks to make a decision, so I was literally unable to even decide: it was kinda chosen for me, because I couldn't wait for the community college acceptance or denial (I did end up getting in).
With all these factors in mind, the federal LOAN, because I'm sure that's what I'll get, will not be enough to cover me, and yes, I plan on quitting my job, because the program is 4 semesters straight (including summer with ~16 credits/semester). Yes, people have/can/do work (and have kids and lives) during these programs, and I commend them, but this is my second chance at finally getting a career, that I [whomever] willing, I will enjoy and be able to sustain myself and finally move out of my damn parent's house.
TLDR: I hate the idea of taking out loans period, but it will be necessary, and I was quite careless (i.e. EFFING STUPID: currently standing at around $12k, and am looking into factoring that into my loan so as to pay it off) with regard to my credit card spending and will need to pay that off as well as have living expenses for 17 months, because although I'm living at home, this is America, Jack, and I can't live for free even if my parents are nice enough to let me stay. Does anyone have any experiences with taking out a loan for living expenses? I'm thinking about taking out ~$55k and hoping that's enough. My federal loan amount is around $35k. Again, I know this is ill advised, but does anyone have any advise on a side hustle or what life after taking this route is like?
I appreciate any/all responses in advanced. Thanks.
