Finances prohibit education

[carlarenee02]

Hello

I was accepted into Maryville University for Weekend/Evening Program next Fall program. Unfort. I am not working and can't afford tuitition and can't take out anymore loans. I make good grades but i don't qualify for any scholarships at Maryville because i have a degree in another field. Should i give up totally having come this far in my education? I have been looking for a job in healthcare in St. Louis but i can't even get an interview and i don't know anyone in healthcare to ask for advice. Please help

[caliotter3]

Have you seen the people in the financial aid office and filled out the paperwork? You should also approach the director of the nursing program itself. They might be able to put you in contact with local scholarship committees or other opportunities. Go to the school and check out the bulletin boards. They used to post job opportunities on the nursing school bulletin boards where I attended. You have to be assertive to get help. Good luck.

[carlarenee02]

I don't qualify for scholarships at my university because i have a degree in another field. I can't afford to take out loans.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Then you may have to delay schooling a bit until you have worked for a little while (using your previous degree -- or taking any job you can find) ... and saving up some money. That doesn't mean you have to abandon your hopes of becoming a nurse, just delay them a bit. Throughout history, a lot of people have had to do that.

You might try seeking a job in a hospital that would offer tuition reimbursement and/or some other assistance for you to attend nursing school. You may have to settle for a low paying entry-level job, but it would be a way to get started. A lot of people at my hospital begin as nursing assistants and go to RN school part time over a period of years. A "2-year" Associate's Degree may take them 4 years, but they eventually graduate -- with the hospital paying most of their tuition. It's difficult. but possible.

[caliotter3]

That makes no sense. You should qualify for scholarships for people going into nursing no matter what your degree status is. Look for local nursing organizations or the ladies' auxiliary to the county medical society. Go outside of the school sources for financial help.

[vcurrin02]

There is some type of grant that you might be able to get. Go to google and type in nursing student grants, I think that the website is hrsa....something, that is a federal grant that you might be able to get. There is also a state grant that Missouri has too. You will have to sign a contract and to work for at least 2 years.