Cost of Living Issues

TraumaNurse · May 21, 2004

First of all, welcome to the board. If do a search on this board for loans etc, I'm sure you will get lots of great info since it has been discussed here before.

In order to get you started, you can borrow $18,500 per year from federal student aid, you can borrow up to $30,000 /year from Bank One and there are also several other banks who offer student financing. I think there is a cap of around $155,000 but even supporting a family, you should not need to borrow that much (unless attending U. of Penn). Good financial planning is essential. Pay off as many bills, credit cards etc as you can before school, trim the fat off your budget and then borrow whatever it takes.

Personally, I paid off all credit cards, paid off one of my cars, sold the other and bought a cheap new car for school and managed to put a little $$ in savings prior to school. My wife will likely drop to part-time and work weekends after this semester so we won't have to use daycare. I will borrow whatever I need to insure that lack of money does not add to the stress of school. Live trim and you should do fine. Good luck. :)

RedBait · May 21, 2004

Here's something to consider. Join the Army. You will be an officer ( MOS: 66H8A which is critical care nursing), a 2LT, you will work ICU. CRNA school in the Army, unlike in the civilian sector, needs applicants. So your previous school loans will be paid and your CRNA school will not only be paid for, you will be paid to go to school, it will be your job. Caveat: be sure to get everything in writing before you sign anything, recruiters are well known to promise you the moon and deliver you something different. The life is very like what you are used to in the hospital, regularly scheduled shifts, regularly scheduled days off. There is extra pay for being married and extra pay for having children. There is good health insurance for your family. You might even try to get commissioned as a 1LT because of your previous experience and time in job. I work at an Army hospital as a civillian, surrounded by Army nurses who did just this, they seem happy with that decision. There's nothing like money coming in instead of flowing out. And no, you are not too old!

snowboarderRN · May 22, 2004

I am in a similiar situation, I have a wife and 4 year old. My wife plans on not working during school. we both agree a little more loan is better for our sanity in the long run. Sure we'll have more to pay back but anesthesia school will be stressfull enough, without trying to cram in an extra shift to make ends meet and not having any family time. I'm taking the 18,500 from the government, some schools will certifiy up to 26,500. I'm also doing the bank one thing for living money over the next 2 1/2 years even though the loan is kind of a rip.

movinsouth · May 22, 2004

I am in a similiar situation, I have a wife and 4 year old. My wife plans on not working during school. we both agree a little more loan is better for our sanity in the long run. Sure we'll have more to pay back but anesthesia school will be stressfull enough, without trying to cram in an extra shift to make ends meet and not having any family time. I'm taking the 18,500 from the government, some schools will certifiy up to 26,500. I'm also doing the bank one thing for living money over the next 2 1/2 years even though the loan is kind of a rip.

Are you anticipating that $30,00/year will be enough to live off of? My husband will be staying home with our 3 children, at least initially. The 18,500 will cover tuition for the 28 months, books, etc... and I don't know if we can make it on 30,000 alone for living expenses, especially since we'll need to pay for health insurance. It's all a bit stressful. We're trying to figure out a budget now to get a feel for how much we'll need. I don't want to get too overwhelmed with loans. I do, however, want to take out enough loans so as to not feel stressed during school (then is not the time to worry about money).

coffeedrinker · May 23, 2004

I too am a bit stressed about taking out loans, but really have no choice. I will also have to continue to work weekends to make ends meet, even though everyone I've spoken to is not keen on it. My husband is self employed, and I carry the health insurance (much cheaper). With four children (1 in college), we cannot do without health insurance. I have come to the conclusion: since God has opened the door for this opportunity to go to CRNA school, I'm walking through it! I'm positive times will be tough, but this too shall end--in 21/2 years. Blessings to all on your journey through school. Deb