Student Loans

[nsgstudentjen]

Hi All,

I apologize if I posted this twice, I didn't see it up when I hit "post now"

I was recently accepted to the accelerated BSN program at Cal State Long Beach for this fall. It is full time for 58 weeks. I will have to quit my full time job and take out cost of living loans on top of loans to pay for school.

My question is if anyone else is doing this (not working and needs to pay bills - I am guessing there is!) and how did you get those loans. I am nervous to quit my job until I am sure this is going to work! I did my FAFSA but I know the loans they offer will just cover school and not my bills.

Any advice/stories/suggestions would be great!

Thanks

Jen

[loriann, BSN, RN]

Hi There:

Next June, I will start a 15 month program which means I will be quitting my full-time job, going to school full-time, and probably taking out student loans. My situation is a little different in that the union I belong to will pay for a considerable amount of my tuition. I have some money saved, so I'm sure I will be expected to use that. I'm worried about the living expenses part, and spent a lot of time a few nights ago trying to figure out what I am going to do.

There is a nursing loan that you can apply for, as well as a program that will pay for a percentage of your loan if you agree to work in high-need area. Go to this website: http://www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/reinvestmentact.htm, and there you can read more about that. Another website you should go to, or at least to start is http://www.discovernursing.com. This site allows you to search scholarships and the loan program I mentioned are listed in there. Also, you can borrow up to $46,000 in Stafford loans, so you should be able to figure out some sort of plan with that amount.

Good luck and let me know what happens. :)

Lori

[All_Smiles_RN]

The student loans are guarenteed, so you will be approved, no worries. As for the Stafford loan, you can borrow (in FL anyways) up to $1300 subsidized (govt pays interest while you're in school) and an additional $1700 unsubsidized per semester (spring and fall only, not summer). Money will be tight, but you can do it. I've really gotten into coupon use. I cut them out every Sunday and even trade my extras with other people who send me ones that I can use. Just from using coupons, you can save hundreds of dollars a month, no kidding! If you want more info about this and how/where the whole trading thing works, pm me. Good luck!

...Jennifer...