Cost of living expenses

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hello,

I recently got accepted into the Middlesex County College Nursing Program for Fall 2009. Being that the workload will be heavy and tedious, we were advised not to work during this period of time. However, I have many bills that I need to pay for (car payments,insurance,credit cards, rent, gas, food, etc.). My tuition (for only the Fall)is already $4500.00 alone, not covering books or any other fees. I have maxed out the amount I am allowed to borrow through the Federal Stafford Loan and I am beginning to look into a private loan.

However, after calculating my expenses, this comes out to about $17,000.00 extra! I have began filling out applications for Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo. I have been in touch with other graduate nurses, who have shared with me that they were once in a similar situation.

My question is, does anyone have any suggestions about what to do for cost of living expenses? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

does your school offer room and board? Have you checked craigslist and other such listings for apartments or people needing subletters/roommates? That might ease the cost of housing some.

are there local scholarships that you can apply for?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello,

I live home right now, but I pay rent to my parents. Middlesex doesn't offer housing..

I began looking into scholarships as well. I know Johnson and Johnson offers one for Nursing students so I will be sure to get on that right away. Other than this, it seems like private loans are the only option.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

for my living expenses during the school year i work my butt off during the summer and use that money to live off of during the school year. sometimes i will take out a little bit extra from my private loans to help pay for things during the year as well. sadly financial aid is crap so i don't get anything and i currently have 56K out in student loans to payback : ) but i knew that going into it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I thought about doing that as well, working through the summer and living off that money. However, I am taking a summer course and I only work part time. So, unfortunately, it looks like I'll be taking out some private loans. Do you have any lenders that you suggest borrowing from? As of now, it looks like I will be going with the Wells Fargo Education Connection Loan. The money goes right to you instead of the school. The only problem is, you need a cosigner for everything I've looked into. Sounds like nursing school is definitely a big sacrafice but it is definitely going to be worth every penny of it :wink2:!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

Ahh. Summer courses would do that to you. I can't afford to take summer courses because they cost $670/credit if you are a declared nursing major. So those are a no go for me.

But my private loans are through Wells Fargo; MEDCAP Alternative Loan for Health Professions. I do know that I need a co-signer, but that is all I can really tell you about them because my mother takes care of all my financial aid mumbo-jumbo for me.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!! Good Luck to you too!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment