I am starting (at 45yrs old) nursing prereq's. Plan to drop my dead-end, full time job when I get into full-time nurse school. I have to totally support myself. I have a good amount of savings and wonder how anyone can support themselves on financial aid/loans/grants/whatever while getting through school. THe only thing I really worry about is being able to live (pay rent, bills, food) while in school. THe school part is actually not a problem financially.
I am going to need help paying for living expenses. Can "financial aid" pay for it all without much ordeal? Will that be my one big stumbling block?
This is my huge question and appreciate all wisdom.
I am starting (at 45yrs old) nursing prereq's. Plan to drop my dead-end, full time job when I get into full-time nurse school. I have to totally support myself. I have a good amount of savings and wonder how anyone can support themselves on financial aid/loans/grants/whatever while getting through school. THe only thing I really worry about is being able to live (pay rent, bills, food) while in school. THe school part is actually not a problem financially.
I am going to need help paying for living expenses. Can "financial aid" pay for it all without much ordeal? Will that be my one big stumbling block?
This is my huge question and appreciate all wisdom.
Thank you.
I'm in the same boat as you but I'm 32. Financial aid can go along way but it depends on what kind of expenses you have. I live in the cheapest apartment me and my family can fit in $ 725 a month and about $100 in utility expenses. I saved up a while and had $30,000 before I quit and started college. It's a year later and I still have $27,000 of it because I got the Fed Pell grant of $4,000 and this year I qaulify for the CAL grant which is another $4,000 on top of the pell grant.
You are in your mid 40's so I do not know if you will feel comfortable doing this. I know a couple of people who take part clinical studies/trials at hospitals of drug development companies. I am told on the average, an inpatient study of about 4 days could pay up to 1,500. That involves several needle sticks a cartheter in you during the duration. I guess one can't be like me afraid of needles. They do this during the summer, winter and the one week spring and fall breaks. During the semester they do outpatient studies which pay considerably less. But it can be seen as money to buy school supplies.
Loans are a lifesaver! I started nursing school at age 27 after my divorce - I bit the bullet, quit my job, moved back in with my parents, and got a bunch of loans. I maxed out my federal grants/loans and had to move on to alternative student loans. There are many options out there, and if you have to get the loans to fulfill your dream of becoming a nurse then it's a small price to pay (in my opinion). Best of luck to you!
You are in your mid 40's so I do not know if you will feel comfortable doing this. I know a couple of people who take part clinical studies/trials at hospitals of drug development companies. I am told on the average, an inpatient study of about 4 days could pay up to 1,500. That involves several needle sticks a cartheter in you during the duration. I guess one can't be like me afraid of needles. They do this during the summer, winter and the one week spring and fall breaks. During the semester they do outpatient studies which pay considerably less. But it can be seen as money to buy school supplies.
Here is my question. Can you use the federal stafford loans, "The ones you apply for after you have completed the FAFSA, and have to check back with financial aid." on rent and utilities and stuff like that? Does your school cut you a refund check for whatever part is left over that did not go toward education? Also I have been looking into other private loans, and most of them you need a cosigner to be eligible for. I do not have ideal credit. Is there any you do not need a cosigner for? I have tried sallie-may, myrichuncle, etc. Any info or insight on this will trigger a big THANK YOU.
It depends where you are going. Let's say for instance, that you are going to a 4 year university. They would determine the total amount for you to live including tuition, books, housing, transportation, etc. Keep in mind that the budget is usually set for a single person with no car payment, credit card, etc. Then your financial aid package would cover all of these expenses. Your tuition is covered first, either through grants or loans. If you are living off campus, then they would give you the amount left over to manage. I didn't need a co-signer when I took out loans as an undergrad. Mine were through Sallie Mae.
I'm like a lot of you, and am going to have to support myself and my children while I attend school. I'll work as much as I can manage while still caring for them. I'm going through a divorce which is demolishing my credit score, so I have no idea if I can qualify for the loans like sallie mae. I've got no one to co-sign with me. But I did want to toss this out. I found a loan the other day that is specifically for medical related students, such as nursing students. It's at www.loantolearn.com. They seem to indicate that you can get a loan with not so great credit if you're willing to pay higher interest. Might be worth looking into.
We're biting the bullet and taking student loans. I have three kids to put into daycare in order to take my lab classes so I'm taking loans to cover for that and my husband's income will cover the rest. We still have some debt but it will be paid off by March and after that we are going to try to rely more on his income rather than loans. But, we're going to have to live tight for a few years, unlike what we've been doing up until now, but it will be all worth it once I get my RN!
I worked a full-time job all the way through nursing school. It wasn't fun, it wasn't easy. I took out student loans and was fortunate enough to get some scholarships based on my class standing. Whatever you have to do to make it through....it's worth it. Good luck to you!!
I am in the same "boat"...I plan to get a loan from a bank beofre I quit my job to be a full time student... Here's a website from Chase Bank you might find useful...http://www.educationone.com/foryou/undergrad.html
Good Luck, share any really good ideas with us too...
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
I don't think you will be eligible for financial aid becaue you work full time. The school will go by last years tax return form and it will show how much money you made in that year. Loans are available however.
I have to pay my school 2,500 August 1st. I plan to put that on credit card. I got my CNA certification and was planning on working at a hospital on the weekend 12 hour shifts while I go to school during the week. But DH supports me and the kids. He just can't afford to pay for my school. I'll get my debt paid off eventually.
nursinguy
280 Posts
I'm in the same boat as you but I'm 32. Financial aid can go along way but it depends on what kind of expenses you have. I live in the cheapest apartment me and my family can fit in $ 725 a month and about $100 in utility expenses. I saved up a while and had $30,000 before I quit and started college. It's a year later and I still have $27,000 of it because I got the Fed Pell grant of $4,000 and this year I qaulify for the CAL grant which is another $4,000 on top of the pell grant.