Debt as a Grad student

[T__BSN_AGNP21, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN]

I am currently a graduate student in a 3 year track AGNP program (2 years left to completion). I work a per diem postion, and teach clinicals as well (during the school year). This fall I start my clinical rotations but will still work as much as possible.

Although my program is fairly inexpensive I am finding it difficult to finance. I had incurred some student loans in my BSN program and now have added to that debt. My debt is at 47k at this point.

My youngest child will start college in the fall, and she will receive little financial aid, so much of my income will be going towards her educational expenses.

Any suggestions, or comments are welcome, I don't see options but to continue on this path of -loans and more loans to finish my education!

[Oldmahubbard]

I question what the teaching job pays, although you may enjoy it.

What can I add? I have a few local ideas for the staycations I did for 10 years. haha.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

On 6/13/2019 at 8:05 AM, TamRN3 said:

My youngest child will start college in the fall, and she will receive little financial aid, so much of my income will be going towards her educational expenses.

I know this is tough to hear, but it may make the most sense for her to take out her own loans instead of you financing her education.

I read an article recently about how parents can get themselves into a lot of financial trouble for retirement by taking out loans to cover their kids' school expenses.

If she takes out loans now, she'll have decades to pay them off. In contrast, if you take out extra loans now so that you can put more money towards her tuition instead of your own, you may be digging yourself a into a financial hole. You've got far fewer years to pay off those debts and simultaneously save for retirement.

Honestly, if she's footing more of her own bill, it might encourage her to make more prudent choices (I saw this very often when I was in undergrad); I obviously don't know your daughter, but in my experience, kids are more likely to take their education seriously when their own money is at stake.

I can't find the precise article, but I googled "debt parents students college" and found a ton of articles on this precise issue. Might be helpful.