Enrolled Excelsior Friday - today=Panic!!

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After 4 years of thinking about it after sending in my application and getting accepted....I finally used the Oct 1 big change to enroll. All last week worked on paperwork - frustration with Excelsior on the phone as they had TWO different student ID's for me and one person would tell me one thing - another person something different. Had to resubmit official transcripts due to my others being older than 6 months - no problem there, they are on the way. They waived any additional application fee - and said to go straight to enrolling. Done.

Arranged for the enrollment fee to be payed in installments. but still a lot of telephone conversations and confusion.

NOW .... I start looking at all the costs and all that I need to buy - and yes, I'll get what I can used - and I'm on to the College Network deal, so won't be doing that -

but still...it's a lot of money.

I'm not able to qualify for student loans - still have a huge one from the LVN program and living expenses that year. Will not ask anyone to cosign anything.

So...question? How are you guys paying for this? Any creative ideas, grants you might have heard of, scholarship for non-traditional, returning women, whatever -

I really need upfront money for this - or at least some of it -

I'm an agency nurse - not employed by a hospital or any permanent place - but maybe I need to think about doing that and see if I can get assistance there -

but I really want more than anything to stay flexible as I don't necessarily want to stay where I am for another 2 years after getting through the program to pay back a hospital.

I think all of it is just overwhelming today. I have to keep reminding myself I CAN do this - I learn best on my own - I made all A's in LVN school - and it's not like I'm starting over. Maybe just those feelings are coming back.

Any advice or encouragment greatly appreciated!!!

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Specializes in Tele, Home Health, MICU, CTICU, LTC.

I paid for EC one test at a time. I would work a day or two of overtime and my partner would work a little extra too. At least they have payment plans now, those didn't exist when to EC for my ASN. Don't panic! You can do this.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Check out the "Discover Nursing" website -- lots of scholarship info there:

http://www.discovernursing.com

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Wow, reading your story sounds like mine...years of looking, Oct 1 deadline...except I went as far as signing on with Chancellor's, pay them waaaay too much money for the thre guides I got before cancelling my contract.

Like you, I'm on a budget. I cannot tell you any big secrets but as has been mentioned, I am going to be doing it one test at a time. I'm looking for study guides and will probably splurge on Lisa A's (sorry, cannot remember the name) notes off ebay. At $60 for NC 1-7, seems like a good deal. I am also downloading all the free help sheets people have out together.

Good luck, this IS doable.:welcome:

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Specializes in Step-Down NICU/PICU.

I am an official EC student now myself enrolled this past sunday...now as far as payments..well...working, and taking one test at a time...thats all i can say..i dont think there are any loans or grants that you can get with EC...if there is i would sure LOVE to find out about them...in any event for now...its work and a test at a time!...XoXo

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