Did you live off of student loans while in school?

Published

I'm truly struggling, trying to figure out a way to attend school full-time during the day, so that I can have nights with my family. Unfortunately, we would really take a hit without my income (or at least a good portion of it). I REALLY want to devote full-time to school so I can give it my complete focus.

Is it a pipe dream to assume my family could live off student loans while I'm in school??:uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didnt, but my wife did....SO now were paying off 12 thousand in student loans...I made it by struggling without one, so can you. I wish we never had this loan.......

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HA! If you call living off a student loan living ! SO not. :rolleyes:

At least I couldn't.

Z

Up Vote Up Vote ×

?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.

We do.. at least partly, for the same reasons you mention. My husband works two jobs and I go to school full time. I waited until my kids were older to go back to college, that probably wasn't the best move but that is the way it is. I have some grants and I take whatever loans I can get, subsidized or not, I don't care. Will paying them off suck? Well yes I would imagine so but the reality is that I have three kids who need clothes and their mommy at the same time. I am not thrilled that I have to do it this way but that's life.

If you "live" off student loans while you're in school you cetainly won't be the only one!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are these student loans part of a financial aid package? I've applied online but haven't received anything yet from my college as to what I'm eligible for.

Also, can you qualify for student loans if your credit is not good?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I was notified late that I have a spot for nursing school this Fall. I just filed my FAFSA May 1, 2005, and I haven't heard from my school yet. It will literally be a week or 2 before school starts before I know if I can go. I can't get a cal grant (I'm in CA), because I have a B.A. SO, any and all financial aid I get will be in the form of a fee waiver at my school and loans.

I also have 6 kids, 4 of whom attend private schools, 1 who is in free gov't preschool, and the baby who costs me SO MUCH in childcare. I don't think I'll be able to handle work and be a mom to them too at least the first semester. I am going to take any and all loans I can and beg for mercy at their schools. Subsidized, unsubsidized, and alternative. Then I plan on having a steady loan payment for years and years. Luckily, we have no other debt right now, but I'm not even sure the amount of money I need will be available to me in loans. If figure the first year I may need up to $10,000. Next year I will have a head start and hopefully get some scholarship money.

Subsidized student loans are not dependent on your credit rating. I think that may be true also for unsubsidized ones that are part of your financial aid package. Alternative loans are normal bank loans and if, like me, your credit ain't so good, you need a cosigner. The nice thing about student loans is they have low interest rates and you can make low monthly payments. If you get a job with a sign-on bonus or loan forgiveness program, you can take a big chunk out of your post-graduation debt there too. I think it's worth it for me, because my financial future isn't too rosy unless I do something drastic. But for others it may not be worth it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Emergency.

Am I the only person left on the planet who pays as I go?

No Debt..No Worries

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't live off of loans. You don't want to graduate with thousands of dollars of debt.

I can pay as I go, too. Or they also have a monthly payment plan. The community college is only $1000 per semester, which is insanely cheap, but there are a lot of people that can't afford that, even. Or they could but they have different priorities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.

Well I'm happy for all the "pay as you go" people out there. You certainly will have less stress when you are done, and good for you, but frankly I would rather not have to tell my kids that they are going to eat PB&J's (with the occasional pancake thrown in if they are lucky) or wear pants with no knees because their mommy decided that she would quit her university education at 19 (which incidently she busted her rear for for her whole life) and have babies instead and now that THEY are all in school they get to go without so SHE can fufill her dreams... nope not gonna do it. I know that isn't everyone's situation but it is mine.

I'll be in debt up to my ears before my kids go without necessities just because of my choices. I hope the original poster has NO GUILT about having student loans so she can be with her family. I should have finished my education before I entertained the thought of marriage and motherhood but I just couldn't wait. And I'll have to pay for it along with a whole buttload of other people out there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Am I the only person left on the planet who pays as I go?

No Debt..No Worries

\

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion