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!
Just for the record...being a single Mom doesn't mean that your school would be paid for. People always used to tell me that...."oh, you're a single Mom you'll have no problem getting school paid for". Not true!! I am a single Mom and could not get financial help other than loans. The only thing that was important in determining grant money was the prior years tax returns. I have busted my butt working hard to have a good job and keep good credit to take care of my child. This seemed to have came back to bite me when applying for grants and help with school.
I just sucked it up and took out the student loans and got rid of things that aren't necessaties like cable. I will just pay the loans off after I graduate and start working. I certainly did not want the debt of student loans, but wanted my BSN more. You normally don't have to start paying student loans back until 6 months after you finish school.
I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do. If you have the support of your husband, when there is strong will there is usually a way....even if its not the way you would prefer.
I really don't have any thing to add to what other posters have suggested. But I want you to give your hubby a BIG OL KISS for his work after Hurricane Ike.:redpinkhe We Houstonians sure appreciated it!!!!
I live in Ohio. I am starting the LPN program at Hondros on Jan. 12th, and I was able to finance ALL of my educational costs through Stafford loans and a Sallie Mae loan. I had to have a co-signer for the Sallie Mae loan, but was at least able to get it. As far as the Stafford loans go, I'm not sure why you weren't able to get at least the majority of your expenses covered, since it goes according to financial need. Hopefully, the financial aid advisor at your school will be able to help you find the additional funds that you need.
oh it's fine!! you didn't offend me!! it's cool! i totally hear where you are coming from! i've been paying taxes, busting my behind to make ends meet, got laid off from my job a while back...the economy is a nightmare. and it makes me angry for you that you can't seem to get any help. it drives me insane that when people do what they are supposed to do there is nothing available in return. i've been turned down for any assistance...guess i'm the wrong type of person. but seriously...do some research on scholarships...i've just applied for a ton and so far i've received 2 small ones (but every little bit helps). don't give up on it...just put the positive vibes out there and help will come!
i'm so glad! i am here to make friends... not enemies! can you please pm me with the site you used to find your scholarships? you are absolutely right, every little bit helps!
ruttermama, are you still in ohio? i couldn't follow your locations in your posts. if you are in ohio, there are some great programs at the comm. colleges, such as tri-c in cleveland. a lot of the classes are online too so you don't have to leave the house. those are awesome. i am sure each large metro area have a comm. college. i understand your pain about the situation you are in but honor your commitment to your family. could you check out the local hospital and see if they have an evening parttime position to get your foot in the door and check out the benefits of working for them for parttime tuition reimbursement. sometimes they have weekend positions too so your dh could be with your son. (it gives them new appreciation for all you do!!) god bless.
yes, i am in ohio. i am in the canton area... too far to drive to cleveland every day for classes (although i do appreciate the suggestion). i have looked for online classes for lpn study, and can find none. i find ones that are the bridge work or for rn - but i would really like to do my lpn first, while i only have one child. online would certainly be my first option! i have looked for a community college, and there are very few LPN programs i have found in my area. i have checked at the hospitals in the area, but i am not prepared to work and go to school right now. one or the other. (it is important to me to become a nurse, but even more important to serve my family)
and - just a side note... my husband has been awesome since he's been home from the hurricane work. i was sick alot these past few weeks, i mean in bed sick... he completely took over & was an amazing father & hubby - even after being gone for 3 months! praise god for the man of my dreams!
personally, i would apply for student loans via sallie mae and go for your rn. that will give you many more options as you move thru life. also, the loans are deferred for 6 months after you complete your degree so that you have some time to find part-time or prn work.
good luck.
thank you for your suggestion. i have applied for the sallie mae loans, when i had the financial aid appointment at the school... like a previous poster... i was turned down because we have too many revolving accounts, mortgage & previous student loans we are paying! ggrrrr!!! but - that is my plan, to put my current loans into deferment while i am in school. i would really like to start with my lpn... i know rn is alot more income, but it isn't all about the money.
you didn't say whether you've checked the local hospitals for scholarships - i got one through my hospital and we don't qualify for any scholarship financially - i don't have to work there until i graduate. they pay for everything, tuition, books, uniforms, even a stethoscope & shoes. it's a good deal and if you go to a 2 year community college, you only have to commit for two years. might sound like a long time but worth it imo.
good luck!
kelly
that i havent done... check the hospitals for scholarships. that would be wonderful, to sign a contract wtih them for 2 years - and be able to work part time! and to not have to actually work until after school - how amazing! thanks so much for the suggestion!
i was in the same boat as you when i started nursing school. i was offered nothing because my husband is a n.y. city firefighter and makes to much money. there is the william d. ford federal direct loan that you can apply for it is the only one i know of that does not turn you down for any reason. i just renewed a second loan application with them. good luck!!
thank you so much! i completely feel your pain! praise god for your husband! for putting his life on the line to protect & serve our streets! and thank you for allowing him to go and sacraficing your time together.
my husband is a lineman. his office is 30 - 60 feet in the air on poles! he was in houston after hurricane ike doing hurricane restoration work. since he is laid off right now... i figured that our income (unemployment) would help us qualify for some additional aid! but no!!!
salliemae for private loans are even tightening up. i was just denied for the private portion of my loan and not because of my credit score! i had too many accounts open, my mortgage, 3 salliemae loan accounts and 2 credit cards that get paid off every month! i have never defaulted on an account or been to collections and my fico score was 751! not only that my husband couldnt co-sign (hi fico score is 790) because transunion had an error on his account. this economy has screwed up everyone, even people who pay bills on time! oh because my husband makes too much i receive no government assistance!
good luck to you though. hopefully everything works out
exactly!!!!!!! our scores are high 700's... but we have too many accounts open! we have never been late or defalted on anything! i hope everything works out for you too!
just for the record...being a single mom doesn't mean that your school would be paid for. people always used to tell me that...."oh, you're a single mom you'll have no problem getting school paid for". not true!! i am a single mom and could not get financial help other than loans. the only thing that was important in determining grant money was the prior years tax returns. i have busted my butt working hard to have a good job and keep good credit to take care of my child. this seemed to have came back to bite me when applying for grants and help with school.
i just sucked it up and took out the student loans and got rid of things that aren't necessaties like cable. i will just pay the loans off after i graduate and start working. i certainly did not want the debt of student loans, but wanted my bsn more. you normally don't have to start paying student loans back until 6 months after you finish school.
i wish you luck with whatever you decide to do. if you have the support of your husband, when there is strong will there is usually a way....even if its not the way you would prefer.
i certainly didn't imply that your school is paid for because you are a single mom... i was just incredibly frustrated because of the incredibly stupid woman at the job & family services office that implied that i should be single - and there would be an unbelieveable amount of money available to me! she made me feel disgusting - because i valued my marriage!
i do have student loans, just not enough to cover what i need to start... and because of the current state of the economy, it is harder than ever to get private lonas. i have exhausted all of those options!
ruttermama-
i really don't have any thing to add to what other posters have suggested. but i want you to give your hubby a big ol kiss for his work after hurricane ike.:redpinkhe we houstonians sure appreciated it!!!!
i sure will give him a big ol kiss for you! he was there for three months! he has always wanted to do some mission work, but because of his career, he hasn't been able to get off of work to go when our church goes. so, what a better time (unfornuniately for you guys) for him to go - and make some good money while he was there!
The first thing that jumped out at me when I read your post, is HOW expensive is this program?
I can't imagine a pell grant and a stafford loan not covering it.
Having too many open accounts does not have an impact on if you can get a loan or not...that is a myth.
What hurts your credit is if you have more than 50% of the high-credit limit charged on the accounts. If you have no balance, then that isn't what is hurting you.
If you close out those open accounts, especially if you have had them for a long time, it can actually lower your credit score.
the first thing that jumped out at me when i read your post, is how expensive is this program?
i can't imagine a pell grant and a stafford loan not covering it.
having too many open accounts does not have an impact on if you can get a loan or not...that is a myth.
what hurts your credit is if you have more than 50% of the high-credit limit charged on the accounts. if you have no balance, then that isn't what is hurting you.
if you close out those open accounts, especially if you have had them for a long time, it can actually lower your credit score.
it's not the cost of the program, it's what i need just for the first 2 quarters. i don't qualify for much because our income in 2007 was alot more than it is now!
and - sallie mae did knock us down because of the amount of accounts we have open. it does have baring on your credit (i was a loan officer for a mortgage broker). from the mortgage, to the revolving accounts, the current student loans, the auto loan - all of which are in good standing - they said it was too many things with balances open. it does hurt your credit if you have open accounts and are not using them.
it's not the cost of the program, it's what i need just for the first 2 quarters. i don't qualify for much because our income in 2007 was alot more than it is now!
and - sallie mae did knock us down because of the amount of accounts we have open. it does have baring on your credit (i was a loan officer for a mortgage broker). from the mortgage, to the revolving accounts, the current student loans, the auto loan - all of which are in good standing - they said it was too many things with balances open. it does hurt your credit if you have open accounts and are not using them.
our credit system sucks!
the financial aid office can manually underwrite your loan if you are not going to work or cut down to part-time while you are in school...they can base that of your future income and not what you made last year.
this is different from the automated response...much different.
i have a feeling that it's your debt-to-income ratio against the new loan that is killing you and not the number of open balances.
suze orman did an entire show on credit reports about 4 months ago and she had reps on there from all 3 credit bureaus that went over the myths of what affects a credit score...open accounts with zero balance lowering your credit score (unless the accounts were new) was one of the ones that they said were a myth.
Well...good news I hope, since you are in the Canton area! Contact the Unemployment Source 330-433-9675 ask to speak with Melissa. She is the most wonderful woman. She got me funded for school through the workforce initiative act (WIA). They have completely paid for school (I go to Hannah E Mullins in Salem) and all my books and my uniforms and all kinds of stuff. My family, too, made too much money the year before I applied to school to qualify for any other kind of assistance. I explained to Melissa that that was the year before and she understood (I had not worked for 9 months and we were not making that kind of money anymore). Yeah, there are some hoops they ask you to jump through, writing essays and what not, but it is so worth it. Good luck!
What do you mean leach off the government? There is NO distinction between married and unmarried mothers on the FAFSA. The only difference is they consider your husband's finances along with yours. It's no different for students under 24 whose parents' finances are considered regardless of whether their parents will help fund their education or not. Financial aid only gives you grants and loans for school and expenses incurred in school (not food stamps or anything of that nature) and is based off of your NEED. Don't criticize people because they don't have a second income coming in or didn't make as much money as your family did last year. Your NEED, and YOUR NEED alone based on last tax year has determined your financial aid package so your circumstances are the only things that can be blamed here.
You being married has nothing to do with it. If my husband had a low income and I had no income (and if I didn't have a B.A. degree already) I would be rolling in the financial aid regardless of marriage. If I were a single mother who made 50,000 a year, financial aid would probably be close to nonexistant. Point? You being married has NOTHING to do with your need. Your family income does.
My mom was a single mother (who received no public assistance because she made to much money) when I went to undergraduate school and I received 5,000/semester financial aid. So clearly, hard working Americans, who don't live off of public assistance are not discriminated against by the federal government.
well...good news i hope, since you are in the canton area! contact the unemployment source 330-433-9675 ask to speak with melissa. she is the most wonderful woman. she got me funded for school through the workforce initiative act (wia). they have completely paid for school (i go to hannah e mullins in salem) and all my books and my uniforms and all kinds of stuff. my family, too, made too much money the year before i applied to school to qualify for any other kind of assistance. i explained to melissa that that was the year before and she understood (i had not worked for 9 months and we were not making that kind of money anymore). yeah, there are some hoops they ask you to jump through, writing essays and what not, but it is so worth it. good luck!
thank you so much! i am definitely going to look into this!!! very exiting!!
what do you mean leach off the government? there is no distinction between married and unmarried mothers on the fafsa. the only difference is they consider your husband's finances along with yours. it's no different for students under 24 whose parents' finances are considered regardless of whether their parents will help fund their education or not. financial aid only gives you grants and loans for school and expenses incurred in school (not food stamps or anything of that nature) and is based off of your need. don't criticize people because they don't have a second income coming in or didn't make as much money as your family did last year. your need, and your need alone based on last tax year has determined your financial aid package so your circumstances are the only things that can be blamed here.
you being married has nothing to do with it. if my husband had a low income and i had no income (and if i didn't have a b.a. degree already) i would be rolling in the financial aid regardless of marriage. if i were a single mother who made 50,000 a year, financial aid would probably be close to nonexistant. point? you being married has nothing to do with your need. your family income does.
my mom was a single mother (who received no public assistance because she made to much money) when i went to undergraduate school and i received 5,000/semester financial aid. so clearly, hard working americans, who don't live off of public assistance are not discriminated against by the federal government.
oh please - you completely misunderstood what i was trying to say!!! i am so very sorry if i offended anyone, that was certainly not my intention!!
i was highly irritated because of the meeting my husband and i had with a state case worker with job & family services. she was basically telling me to get divorced (but still live with my husband) so aid would open up for me. this way, i would qualify for state aid - food stamps, medicare and cash assistance - and - they would only go by my income (which would be zero, being a sahm) and have my school paid for. thus manipulating the system. i was outraged!!! and, those (like your mother, & god bless her!) who have worked their tails off and paid into the system get nothing in return!
what makes me infuriated is those people who do leach off the government... meaning those who are very capable of getting a job & sustaining themselves... that take advantage of it! then the ones of us who have been hard working, honest citizens all of our working careers, when something happens beyond our control - being laid off due to lack of work - there is zero aid available for us! taxes or no taxes... the point is that was then... this is now!
i am certainly not criticizing those people because they don't have a second income coming in or didn't make as much money as my family did last year. my family does not have a second income coming in either - and no one is better than anyone else because of the income brought in!!! again, my point is that what we made last year was then - last year!!! the situation we are in this year is the problem!!!!!
we sucked up our savings, first in having a baby 20 months ago, sinking money into our home and moving... all unavoidable circumstances. we have nothing else to invest! i don't understand why they can't go by current income!!!!!!!
again, i certainly did not mean to critisize anyone or hurt feelings! please forgive me if that is how it was taken!!! just very frustrated with my current situation and how the system sucks!
they actually can go by your current income if your circumstances now are way different are way different than your last tax year. i went through this when my ex-husband went from being military and getting danger to making 9 bucks an hour. they did things differently and i got pell with money to spare. that was when i was at a tech school so i could only get the pell, no stafford. you need to go back to the finacial aid office and stress this point to them.
thank you so much! i am definitely going to look into this!!! very exiting!!
oh please - you completely misunderstood what i was trying to say!!! i am so very sorry if i offended anyone, that was certainly not my intention!!
i was highly irritated because of the meeting my husband and i had with a state case worker with job & family services. she was basically telling me to get divorced (but still live with my husband) so aid would open up for me. this way, i would qualify for state aid - food stamps, medicare and cash assistance - and - they would only go by my income (which would be zero, being a sahm) and have my school paid for. thus manipulating the system. i was outraged!!! and, those (like your mother, & god bless her!) who have worked their tails off and paid into the system get nothing in return!
what makes me infuriated is those people who do leach off the government... meaning those who are very capable of getting a job & sustaining themselves... that take advantage of it! then the ones of us who have been hard working, honest citizens all of our working careers, when something happens beyond our control - being laid off due to lack of work - there is zero aid available for us! taxes or no taxes... the point is that was then... this is now!
i am certainly not criticizing those people because they don't have a second income coming in or didn't make as much money as my family did last year. my family does not have a second income coming in either - and no one is better than anyone else because of the income brought in!!! again, my point is that what we made last year was then - last year!!! the situation we are in this year is the problem!!!!!
we sucked up our savings, first in having a baby 20 months ago, sinking money into our home and moving... all unavoidable circumstances. we have nothing else to invest! i don't understand why they can't go by current income!!!!!!!
again, i certainly did not mean to critisize anyone or hurt feelings! please forgive me if that is how it was taken!!! just very frustrated with my current situation and how the system sucks!
BeeBeeRN
27 Posts
Just for the record...being a single Mom doesn't mean that your school would be paid for. People always used to tell me that...."oh, you're a single Mom you'll have no problem getting school paid for". Not true!! I am a single Mom and could not get financial help other than loans. The only thing that was important in determining grant money was the prior years tax returns. I have busted my butt working hard to have a good job and keep good credit to take care of my child. This seemed to have came back to bite me when applying for grants and help with school.
I just sucked it up and took out the student loans and got rid of things that aren't necessaties like cable. I will just pay the loans off after I graduate and start working. I certainly did not want the debt of student loans, but wanted my BSN more. You normally don't have to start paying student loans back until 6 months after you finish school.
I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do. If you have the support of your husband, when there is strong will there is usually a way....even if its not the way you would prefer.