Are You Kidding Me???????

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ok, i am 26 years old... been married for nearly 6 years & have a 20 month old son. 6 years ago i was accepted into a lpn program, but suddenly had to move to ohio (yuk!) so i could not attend the program. since then i have worked full time as a customer service manager at 2 different stores and have researched nursing school here in ohio, but had no support from the family here (my husband's family, mine are in another state).

we had our son in may, 2007 & i have to say he is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me! i love my husband, and my son... more than anything! since then, we decided i would be a stay at home mom & care for our son full time. i have never objected... i love my life.

i did attempt to apply about a year ago for another lpn program, but because of lots of different factors (especially the lack of support from the in-laws) i quit thinking of it.

now - we live in a different area and are finally our own family! because of some recent financial issues (my husband was laid off in sep, worked in houston after hurricane ike, and is back as of thanksgiving) i decided now is the best time to finally go and get my lpn! lots of reasons... i have been trying to do this for more than 6 years... and should my husband be laid off again i can pick up shifts and make the same income level we need that he makes. (he is a lineman)

so, i applied and was accepted to brown mackie college to the pn program. i took the asset test & passed with flying colors (i was nervous about it!). and applied for financial aid. i was elegible for a small pell grant and a small amount of stafford loans. however it is not enough to cover it all (obviously)! we absolutely can not afford any more monthly payments right now. we have downsized as much as we can.

i am married, white and 26... there is nothing out there for me! it is so sad that if i were a single mom - i'd get my school all paid for, but because my husband and i value our marriage and refuse to leech off the government, there is nothing out there for me that i can find.

sorry, i don't mean to rant... i am just very frustrated! i am supposed to start on feb 2nd, but can't unless i can find additional funding!

ok... my question to you... does anyone know of one of three things... 1- a scholarship for nursing students - lpn program - and it doesn't matter if i'm married! 2- a grant 3- a guranteed approval student or personal loan... (we are obviously over extended right now and do not qualify for the sallie mae or chase private loan, with a mortgage, car pmt, cc pmts etc...)

i would more than appreciate any and all feedback. i am so very frustrated about all of this! i want to be a nurse so very much. it will allow me to truly help people, allow me to work part time and still be a full time mom & i'll make more than with a stupid retail job! i was in tears this evening i'm so aggrivated with all of this! :banghead:

thanks so much!!! god bless you all!

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Specializes in ICU.

Hello there, I live in Virginia and hospitals here usually offer you certain amount of money if you have work commitment with them after graduation. Similar offers may exist in your area as well. Contact local hospitals and see what they say! I hope it works out for you!

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

can't sallie help you??

maybe even take on a private through it? i heard they have low interest rates!

i can definately relate to you!!!

i am on the same boat, although i am not american! (yet) i cant get anything man, not a penny, not even a stafford loan!!!

it is so hard for me to do it but i work ft and go to school ft! and still dont make ends meet!

but it is only for another short period of time!!!!

all i tell you, is go for it, get a job, even if that means payng for the daycare! because you might be able to make enough to pay daycare and part of your private loan while in school!!!

i cant even get the 4k from 2 scholarships that awarded me with it!!!!

well... some one told me HERE at all nurses if there is a will there is a way

i got no life other than school/work and a mere 4 hour sleep everynight, i even work sundays!

haven't gone to the movies in the last 2 years, my bday is coming up, and i cant even by myself a 6pack!!!!

but... i am though buyng my own future, that is what i think of, in order to make through everyday!!!

i just hope i dont die too soon and have time to enjoy, what i have devoted my life/time/everything to.

it will be so nice to pay bills on time, grab a bite to eat, and save a penny!

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Find areas in your budget that you can cut to help support you through school. It is tough but will definitely pay off.

Hope the future brings great things for you

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Since you have delayed school for so long ... why not delay it just a little longer and get a job to earn the money to help pay for it? The time you were going to spend in school could be used to earn some money. You could use the money you earn to pay off some of your debt ... which would improve your FICO score ... which would then make it easier for you to get a good student loan with favorable terms. Paying off some of your current debt would also leave you some cash each month to help pay for school.

That may not be what you wanted to hear, but "saving up for school" used to be what everybody did. Generations of people have done it. You can do. I wish you the best of luck.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Check the school for scholarship through the schools talk to the financial aid office of the college or your advisor I know alot of my classmates went this route and also check and see if the college has a WIA funding I know they will help also check and see if you can work at the school bookstore or do some other type of work at the college to help pay for your tuition I know our campus does it I think it is a work study program Do not give up check out the things I have told you i know they helped alot of my classmates Please talk to the advisor and financial aid They can help.

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I totally understand your frustration. I find myself in the same situation... I don't qualify for any assistance at all. I am enrolled in a LPN program at a local public tech school and the total cost (including books and uniforms) is less than $3,200.

I would recommend that you look for another school to obtain your LPN. Brown Mackey is a private college... their objective is to make money, hence the ridiculous tuition costs. Think about your present and future financial situation... Is it really worthwhile to incur so much debt right now?

Do some research. Postpone your plans for a few months if need be. I am sure there is a community college or tech school in your area with a more affordable program that won't overextend you more than you are.

You've been waiting a long time, but don't rush into a financial disaster unless you can afford it. Whatever you decide to do... I wish you good luck!

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I appreciate all of your input...

I can not get a job at a hospital to pay for my schooling - as I am not interested at this time in having a full time job. I need to be home with my son. (I lost both of my parents when I was 13, neither were ever home with me and I do not remember much about them). Being a SAHM is the most important thing to me, although I want to get my LPN so I can #1 - serve my community #2 - can pick up shifts should we get into the same situation we are in right now (although not likely as my hubby is getting on with the power company which is a career move) #3 - to have something just for me, outside the home!

Second - I don't qualify for any personal loans. I have tried - believe me! When I started college right after high school I had more money than brains and had to file bankruptcy. I learned my lesson, the hard way - and am STILL paying for it!

We have cut absolutely everything in our budget we can. We are down to bare necessities (internet is included in our phone plan and we have to have our phones because of hubby's career).

The idea of doing a LPN program is that it is 15 months. The first few months are only part time and would only be gone from home basically during my son's nap. After that, when classes get more intense and clinicals start, hubby will have a job again and we can afford private in-home childcare. I grew up in daycare - won't do that to my son. Getting a job now would defeat the purpose of doing a 15 month program.

And finally... I have spent many hours in the school, with my advisor and financial aid. We don't qualify for any more based on our income for 2007 (which was ALOT more than 2008, it included my full time income for half the year and hubby's full time income all year). We did submit a 'Professional Judgment' to the school and I was approved for an additional small amount to my Pell Grant.

That still leaves me about $3500 short... just to START classes...

Any other suggestions? Does anyone out there know of any Grants or Scholarships I can apply for? OR - a Personal or Student Loan I can apply for that is more forgiving than the traditional loans?

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I don't have any recommendations on scholarships ... but for personal loans, I once successfully obtained a loan through Prosper. No banks, no stuffy financial institutions... it's community based. Regular folks, like us, fund loans for others in need. Check it out!

Also, I know you don't want leech of the government.... but check with your local unemployment office. They might have a sponsorship program for stay at home moms looking to return to the workforce. At the very least, if any programs/grants exist... they would know where to direct you.

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

and if you dont find any, you will ahve to prioratize which is the most important, sacrifice stay at home mom, in order to have a little bit more stability for your son's future, or delay school to continue SAHM!

it is a hard choice, but, it will help you set goals and overcome the situation eitherway!

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Specializes in Critical Care-Neuro/Trauma ICU.

Do your research...there are TONS of scholarships for nursing students...and PS I'm a single, white, 26 year old mother and my school is NOT paid for. This is not directed towards you, but I would LOVE to know where people are getting their information about "all these single mothers who have school paid for" because that is absolutely NOT the case. There are some loans through the U.S. Department of Health and lots of scholarships you can apply for. Check with your school as well if they have any loans for people going into the medical field.

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Do your research...there are TONS of scholarships for nursing students...and PS I'm a single, white, 26 year old mother and my school is NOT paid for. This is not directed towards you, but I would LOVE to know where people are getting their information about "all these single mothers who have school paid for" because that is absolutely NOT the case. There are some loans through the U.S. Department of Health and lots of scholarships you can apply for. Check with your school as well if they have any loans for people going into the medical field.

I am terribly sorry if I offended you! I certainly didn't mean to. I just am so incredibly frustrated - I was at our local Job & Family Services office last week, the case worker was insinuating that my husband and I should divorce, so we would qualify for medicaid for my son & myself - and to make sure to get pregnant right away again so we would qualify for more! I was outraged!!!

Here we are... have paid our taxes and into the state system, but during this short time, while my wonderful husband is 'between jobs' we don't even qualify for health benefits through the state! And to have the actual case worker suggest we should 'co inhabit' - ridicules! Then there are the people out there (certainly not you I am sure!) who take advantage of the government's programs, sit on their butts having babies... doing NOTHING but leaching from those of us who are paying into this system! (sorry... another rant)

No, no... i totally understand, and admire you single mom's out there who are doing all you can to make sure your and your children's lives are cared for! I don't know how you do it alone!!! Praise God your kids have you!

There HAS to be something out there!!!

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