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Hey everyone,

So I was finally accepted into nursing school after going through 5 years of pre reqs and ending with a Bachelors in Medical Anthropology.

Yet now I have hit another road block: financial aid. :(

I received my award package and accepted all awards, yet I am still short by $2,000 dollars both for Fall and Spring semester. I do not know what to do. I have spoke with my financial adviser and she told me to look into private/alternative loans. Yet I cannot do that because 1. I do not have good enough credit 2. I do not have anyone willing to cosign for me.

I have been applying to some grants and scholarships but my advisor told me it might be too late to receive a grant or scholarship since classes begin August 24th.

Some would tell me to make monthly payments buy the cheapest monthly payment plan they have is $564 a month. I cannot afford that. Already I will be working evenings to help support my family and pay bills. I wont have extra for tuition.

I do not know what to do. I finalky made it into nursing school and it looks like I might not have to drop out because I do not have financial support.

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The actual amount that I will still owe for both Fall and Spring is $2657.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Take a loan? Defer admission? Your financial aid grant opportunities are limited by already having a bachelor's degree. Most aid is limited to first degrees.

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if you get a loan try not to start paying after you graduate and try to pay the accrued cost during school. maybe do work study?

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I unfortunately wont have time to do work study-that I know of. I have day classes and then go straight to my evening job which only pays enough to support my family.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I unfortunately wont have time to do work study-that I know of. I have day classes and then go straight to my evening job which only pays enough to support my family.

Then inquire about deferring admission until you can afford to attend.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

JustBeachyNurse is correct...not sure why the degree in a non-nursing study if you were planning on becoming a nurse, but you may simply not be able to afford nursing school right now. If you don't get grants, can't work more, and can't get loans... I'm not sure what to tell you. You have 5 years and an interesting but useless (toward your nursing goal) degree to pay for, and nursing school costs money too. You can't get federal loans since you already have a degree.

Is the school you were accepted to the most affordable option? Looking at tech schools or community colleges is about the only thing I can think of, unless that is The school you were accepted to.

Otherwise, you save the money and go to nursing school when you have it.

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She should be able to get federal loans even with already having a Bachelors degree. She will not qualify for grants though. I used federal loans to get my nursing degree. Can you ask if the school has a part time option? I took longer than standard to get my degree because I attended at 3/4 time most of my semesters. You can qualify for federal loans as long as you are attending at least half time, but they reduce the loan amount. However this will also reduce the overall tuition and you might be able to make lower monthly payments or get a work/study position.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
She should be able to get federal loans even with already having a Bachelors degree. She will not qualify for grants though. I used federal loans to get my nursing degree. Can you ask if the school has a part time option? I took longer than standard to get my degree because I attended at 3/4 time most of my semesters. You can qualify for federal loans as long as you are attending at least half time, but they reduce the loan amount. However this will also reduce the overall tuition and you might be able to make lower monthly payments or get a work/study position.

If financial aid says look at private loans either this person is ineligible for unsubsidized federal loans, maxed out on undergraduate loans doing a BA & pre-requisites, or the school does not participate. Not all schools offer work/study

Many max out on federal loans in their first degree. After the first degree only unsubsidized loans are an option if qualified if not used for pre-req and dyers degree.

You can't independently apply for federal loans. You must be deemed eligible by the office of financial aid.

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