how do you afford to live while in school?

HARRN2b · May 23, 2006

401k. Which means I basically have to start my retirement savings all over. Oh well, I will be working forever anyway.

3rdgenRN2B · May 23, 2006

I'm working 32 hours a week and going to school full-time. My job too is dead end but I'm hanging onto for now because I know that my new job will be that much sweeter when i'm done. yeah i'm exhausted and have no time

but I have to pay my bills....If you can hang onto your job, just to pay the bills, I say do it. I had to search for a (pre) nursing program that woulod fit my schedule and it took a while but they are out there! and if hanging onto your job is not an option find something else that will pay your bills. perhaps you can contact the hr dept at your local hospital-explain your situation and perhaps they have a position that would help you out...and you'd get some experiance too!!! Good luck!!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 23, 2006

State aid is different from federal aid, but there's cutbacks everywhere, so I wouldn't expect tons of money. I didn't use any this time through (previous college degree), but BECAUSE I had used it once before (TAP, Pell grants) I was ineligible for anything. Have you ever applied and received in the past?

Also, depending on the grant or loan, some can be used for living expenses, while others are geared for school expenses only. And, of course, how much you need for rent, etc varies by area, so....check with your school's financial aid office before doing ANYTHING regarding quitting your job :)

Best of luck!

sdmommie · May 23, 2006

Definitely check with your financial aid office first. Apply for everything you can. If you don't have a B.A. already, you'll probably get a decent financial aid package. You'll probably have loans, but you'll be able to pay them back when you graduate. Financial aid does include money for living expenses, but don't expect it to be a huge amount. Also, they will expect you to contribute a portion of your savings to your education. Check with the school you are thinking of going to Nursing School at.

Good luck!

Paleobug · May 23, 2006

Before I started nursing school, I was able to save enough to live on. I worked during the summers fulltime, and I was able to get a scholarship to pay for school through one of the local hospital chains. I think the best thing is eliminate all unecessary debts like credit cards and car notes before you start school.

KnarfKS · May 23, 2006

First off get rid of any unnecessary bills... Live in a cheaper place if you rent, dump large car payments.

And above all else don't expect to live like you did with a full time job.

I kept seeing people complain in my program because they didn't have money, well they drove brand new cars and had rent that cost $700 a month in kansas, well this isn't hard to figure out why your having a hard time financially

hopefulstudent06 · May 23, 2006

I used my grants to pay for all of my classes and books. Last year I got student loans and used those to pay off a lot of bills and credit cards. I am also working this summer and saving as much as I can (pretty much all of it after paying for daycare:cry:) My husband has been making more money so I think we will be okay when school starts and I have to quit my job. Federal grants and loans have been a life saver.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 23, 2006

My husband works full-time. We live on a TIGHT budget. We have NO Credit Card or Car Loan Debts. I work for myself part-time using my other degrees. And I am attending a Community College.

JaxiaKiley · May 24, 2006

As long as you don't have too many bills, loans should be enough to cover it.

moonbean · May 24, 2006

I have the same exact question. I'm 40 and starting LPN school in August. I have no savings (blushing....am I the only one??). I plan to stay at my current job and work as many hours as possible while going to school in the evenings. I figure I'll be able to work around 30 hours per week (vs. 40). I won't be bringing home as much$$ and I'm also worried about being able to pay bills. I'm looking into financial aid through the state, as well as possibly taking out a home equity loan to pay down some debt beforehand. My parents will also be a source of some help. Basically, I'm jumping and hoping the net will appear. I'm committed to do this, whatever it takes. If it causes temporary financial hardship, then so be it.

Good luck!!!!

vegetarian_goddess · May 26, 2006

student grants,and LOTS of loans.