Funding for nursing school

[Kooper48]

Hello I'm getting a 2nd degree and I may have exhausted my financial aid any advice on money for school ?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Camming

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Scholarships. Yes, you'll have to write a lot of essays, which is one reason many students don't apply, but it's well worth it. I wish I'd been more aggressive about pursuing scholarships because I got all the ones I applied for...I didn't mind writing the essays, I was just lazy and only applied for a few. Now I'm still slowly and painfully paying down student loans 21 years after the fact, and to think some of it could have been avoided if I'd only gone for more scholarships. Oh, well, live and learn!

[vanilla bean]

Camming

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Camming

I was going to say "Work," but this response is so much better.

[Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN]

Scholarships. I was in the same boat, so I had to find a way to pay for it without leaving me in huge debt. I wrote a ton of essays but it was worth it when I won several scholarships that paid for most of my schooling.

[NurseJamillah, MSN, NP]

I agree with those who suggested that you apply for scholarships. I was in the same boat, and I'd even hit my max on loans. I did have to work during my first 3 semesters in my ADN program, but 3rd semester I got a partial scholarship and 4th semester I got a full scholarship with stipend. That allowed me to work less (and worry less) and study more. Some of the $$$ will even follow me for four years as I continue on. I never thought that would happen. I didn't even apply for one of the scholarships, but I completed my FAFSA every year (even though I thought it was pointless) and then I was chosen by my school to receive it, due to need and GPA. So complete your FAFSA and apply, apply, apply!

[thatgirl2478]

Private loans may still be available. However, most of them are not subsidized so you'll either accrue or have to pay interest while you're in school. Plus they usually have higher rates attached to them.

If you have a home that has any equity, you could try a HELOC (home equity line of credit). If you have an IRA you can avoid the extra 10% penalty by using it to pay for school (but you'll still have to pay income tax on it and you'll lose out on the compound interest on the amount you withdraw).

Other than that you can get a job. Or apply like crazy for scholarships. Or sell blood.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Get a job. Cut expense to the bone. Save like crazy. Get a second job too.