How can I afford Nursing school?

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

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Almost anyone wanting to go to Nursing school faces a potential financial problem. How on earth can I afford the tuition? There are several ways to do this and some are, student loans, tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and private loans, just to name a few. Selling the family car would help, but the trade off is a long walk to class. That gets old real fast. So, what ways have you discovered to afford your Nursing school tuition?

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Working full time in my day job and studying at night and on weekends. Having a supportive spouse with a job helps. So far we have borrowed about $6500. Not bad.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Pell grant will cover most of it of my tuition. I'm paying for my summer A&P course and prob about $1000 each semester, payment plan.

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This is a topic very high on my worry list these days. I am a single mom entering nursing school this fall, after graduating with a bachelors degree (in marketing) over 20 years ago. Because I already have a bachelors degree I do not qualify for any federal grants, which limits my financial options a bit, and definitely hurts the pocket. In addition to that, I already have a significant ParentPlus loan in my name for my daughter's college expenses (for which I needed a co-signer). So with minimal income to start and a high debt ratio, and no access to federal grants, I'm pretty stressed about being able to afford school and living expenses.

I will obviously have to work while attending school, but the income from any type of job that I can get that will fit around my school schedule and my [younger] kids, will be pretty much next to nothing. Definitely not enough to pay in full for rent, utilities, food, clothing, etc, let alone school expenses.

I've done tons of research for scholarships and unfortunately have come up short. Most of what I find is for high school grads, "minorities", nursing students that have successfully completed a semester or more of school, etc.

I know without a doubt that nursing is the path I'm meant to be on, and ultimately it will eventually lead to a more secure financial future (in addition to a satisfying and exciting career!). However, it is getting a bit nerve wracking as the August start date nears.

I'm really hoping there are some good replies and workable suggestions that will be posted here.

Cheers!

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Specializes in Critical care.

High on my worry list too. I'm out of financial aid and somehow have to pay $4k out of pocket this summer for my final semester's tuition. UGH.

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Work and save for it. Apply for every scholarship and grant that you can. Look for underserved areas where hospitals may pay your tuition. Also, look for hospital affiliated programs that will pay a percentage if you work for them after you graduate. Find a weekend or part-time job. Cut your expenses to the bone (no cable, no eating out, flip phone if you have to have a cell). Loans should be your VERY LAST option, not your first.

I got by on loans for the first degree, but that was 20 years ago. I consolidated those with the loans for my pre-reqs and diploma, and I'm still paying them back, with over $30K left.

Don't do what I did.

I've been lucky and haven't had anything major happen, so I haven't defaulted, but only by the grace of God. If I had done the smart thing all those years ago, I would be in a much better position now.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I started at community college which was cheap and worked the entire time.

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Specializes in Lactation (IBCLC).

My 15mo ABSN program is 35k. Ouch. Im planning on taking student loans, and applying for every scholarship I can find!

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Scholarship, student loans, and a 401k loan.

But now I can't afford a MSN. If my hospital wants me to get one, they'll have to pay for it. No more loans for this gal. At my age I'll be paying back student loans until I'm 70.

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Community college, financial aid, grants, scholarships, work (if possible), save money ahead of time. Buy or rent used books. Shop around to find the cheapest stuff/sales. Sell what you don't need on eBay. Instead of Christmas presents, ask for school books and supplies. I'm planning to graduate debt free with my BSN.

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Yup community college +grants +scholarships (pending) =free for me! I had to take out $7k in loans last year while working on prerequisites because I was considered out of state student at the time, but by the time I start my nursing program in the fall it should be free. I still have to work part time to pay for daycare for 2and help with bills

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Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.

In California, ADN students usually get the Board of Governors grant. Pays my $512 worth of tuition. :)

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