Financial stress!!! GRRR

[its_meee]

I'm very irritated right now! I'm about to start junior year of my nursing program, so I know that nursing school is not cheap. I always try to plan ahead before determining the amount of student loan money to take. I always plan for the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and I also allow for a little "buffer" for extra costs. I very seldom take the entire amount of loan offered to me...only what I will need.

Before the loan money arrived we were required to pay for our yearly background check, cpr certification, and vaccines. I knew I was going to have to pay for those before my loan money arrived, so those costs were not a surprise. Then I was required to purchase another years subscription to Nursing Central, which was about 100 dollars...again, before my loan money arrived. So, after some strict budgeting I managed to purchase those requirements. My husband is the only one working to support me and our 4 children, so finding "extra" money is extremely difficult! Anyway, I received my student loan money and purchased my books and supplies. Then I received an email from one of my instructors that we are also required to make 3 additional purchases before the start of class. Classes start this coming Monday. So I looked into these purchases...the first one was $65.00, okay, I can handle that price. The next one cost $100.00, and the final one cost $135.00! That is an extra $300.00 that I had no idea I was going to have to spend! I really wish that I had been told about this before I took out my loan because I would have taken out more! I was looking forward to getting a new outfit/scrubs and possibly having my hair cut/colored, but it looks like that may not be happening now. Is my school the only school that does this?? I feel that we should be told of ALL cost before we take out our loans!

Thanks for allowing me to vent my frustrations :)

[nlynrob]

Same type of thing happened to me before. I had to go to my parents (thankfully I have that option). Since then I take the largest amount they offer me every time and as soon as I get the refund for the difference in my bank account I send it in as a loan payment.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Seems like some of your guys' schools cost a lot more than mine (talking about CC programs)! Our instructors let us know which books are actually required and tell us about supplemental books that may or may not be helpful. I've stuck to the bare minimum and I'm doing good so far. But yeah, I know what you mean about costs in general. I'm paying for my program out of pocket/savings and from whatever I'm earning from my job and I'm thankful my parents aren't asking for rent, gas money, insurance money, etc, so you all definitely have it more rough than I do, but I feel it too! I spent too much this summer so this fall semester is going to be pretty tight for me.

As for loans, take them if you need to while of course continuing to spend wisely. It'll be paid back and paid off in the end. Tbh, I've never liked asking or borrowing money (loans in particular) and have stayed away from them, but I am prepared to take them out if needed. They will definitely be paid off in the future :)

[smoup]

Yup, happening here too. Told us about background check/drug screening at an orientation. There's $100. Told about online EHR at another orientation, another $100. Etc. I cannot say I am thrilled. I live at home but my dad is retired and I am working PRN now so money is going to be tight. It would have been nice to know about ALL the costs associated before making any financial decisions.