Anyone have a huge student loan bill?

[dreamBIG]

Hi all! Just a quick question for you. I am about to start my first semester of nursing classes...I have 5 semesters all together. I already racked up 17,000 dollars in student loans. I went to school in 99-00 then quit for four years. I changed my major to nursing and basically had to start from scratch. Anyway, will I continue to get loans as long as I am in school, no matter how much I owe? Sometimes it seems I have to get my degree just to afford repayment! I just want to make sure the money will keep coming so I can finish school! Thanks in advance! 2008

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

The lovely game of financial aid. I am a 2nd degree ASN nursing student and have taken out 30k for just the 1st year. I do not qualify for any financial aid since I received a BS degree in 1988. I am trying to remain positive about the financial implications, but find it difficult sometimes when you hear on the news about the nursing shortage and yet, financial aid is being cut, loan interest rates are going up and I am not even eligible for a grant. When I get stressed, I just say to myself that it will workout in the end.

Is this only because you're in an AD program? I'm applying to ABSNs and BSNs, and because it's a health professions degree I'm eligible for Staffords, but not grants (I have a BS already).