Financing without grants

My total 4 year education is going to be around $30k. I would find another program with a reasonable fee schedule before I paid twice as much as I needed to through loans.

Have you thought about taking yourself off your parents taxes and claim yourself so you can be independent in your fafsa filling? This would allow you to qualify for grants.

I was trying to claim independent, but I'm under his health insurance so I had to claim dependent

the programs in chicago all average this price unfortunately. The only other options would be a nursing program where I would need 100 or so credits before I could even apply, and even then you don't have a guaranteed chance of getting accepted, and they have a waitlist. With chamberlain I'm not on a waitlist and I know right away if I'm accepted

Please think about it before you commit to $60k. You may get your first job but want to quit. Plus, you will be a slave to a job you may not like just to pay off the loan. Do not rush. Forget keeping up with the Jones'. Take your time. Work hard to get into a CC or a college that is inexpensive. You do not know what the future will look like is within the next 10 years. Friendly advice :)

What state do you live in? You may qualify for medical/free health insurance. If you want to be a big girl and take on a crazy amount of debt batter off just be independent and get some free money. They are giving out free health insurance to poor people and you are one of those if you stop relying on your parents. I say you may want to look into becoming completely independent from your parents there may be tons of bennifits with little down side. How old are you by the way?

I'm 22. I live in IL and will be going to the Addison campus. I have extensively researched the other options for schools/programs, and they all run about this price out here Even if I were to wait and attempt to save up, the amount I would be able to save up would amount to too little to justify waiting a few more years. I don't make that great of money, it would take me a few years just to save up 3-5k, which when compared to the cost of school, is nothing. I don't have any children now, and I would like to complete the program before that happens.

City Colleges of Chicago only require 5 prereq classes, and have a much, much lower tuition rate. I would pick a Community College over a for-profit school any day. Taking $60k for nursing would not be wise. With interest, you will be looking at a much higher amount.

If you consolidate $60,000 of student loan debt...

[TABLE=width: 603]

[TR]

[TH=align: left]…and repay it over[/TH]

[TH=align: left]Monthly payment[/TH]

[TH=align: left]Total amount paid[/TH]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]10 years[/TD]

[TD]$692.80[/TD]

[TD]$83,136.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]15 years[/TD]

[TD]$535.12[/TD]

[TD]$96,321.60[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]20 years[/TD]

[TD]$460.70[/TD]

[TD]$110,568.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]30 years[/TD]

[TD]$394.17[/TD]

[TD]$141,901.20[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Seems a bit much for a nursing degree, no?

You say you want to finish this before you have children. That is wonderful, however, children are very expensive. Having two myself, I can tell you an extra $700/month would change our lives. 100% not worth it, IMO. Get on state insurance, claim yourself on your taxes, go to community college, stay with your folks if you can, take out only what you need for school and to live, and graduate with a fraction of the debt.

City Colleges of Chicago only require 5 prereq classes, and have a much, much lower tuition rate. I would pick a Community College over a for-profit school any day. Taking $60k for nursing would not be wise. With interest, you will be looking at a much higher amount.

If you consolidate $60,000 of student loan debt...

[TABLE=width: 603]

[TR]

[TH=align: left]…and repay it over[/TH]

[TH=align: left]Monthly payment[/TH]

[TH=align: left]Total amount paid[/TH]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]10 years[/TD]

[TD]$692.80[/TD]

[TD]$83,136.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]15 years[/TD]

[TD]$535.12[/TD]

[TD]$96,321.60[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]20 years[/TD]

[TD]$460.70[/TD]

[TD]$110,568.00[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]30 years[/TD]

[TD]$394.17[/TD]

[TD]$141,901.20[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Seems a bit much for a nursing degree, no?

You say you want to finish this before you have children. That is wonderful, however, children are very expensive. Having two myself, I can tell you an extra $700/month would change our lives. 100% not worth it, IMO. Get on state insurance, claim yourself on your taxes, go to community college, stay with your folks if you can, take out only what you need for school and to live, and graduate with a fraction of the debt.

I totally agree with this! At 22 years old I baught my first house and took on $165k loan. My house is now worth $300k. Your $60k nursing degree will be a bigger burden than a house because it can not gain value like house. If you skip the student loan debt you have a great Chace of being able to buy a house or travel or just in general have more freedom when you ar done with school. There are ways around it. I have been going to school for free. I acutely get $5k a year extra, untaxed to go to school! I'm married with 2 dependents and work full time. I'm not just say they give me 5k im saying they are waiving my tuition, paying for books and giving me money. It can be done.

You guys are so smart - providing wonderfully wise advice. Srsly, AN'ers ROCK!

Thats the thing- I already own a home. That's why my bills are so stressful.

Can you rent some rooms out to help with the bills?