Grant Question!!

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Hey, My name is Rhanda. I'm going to attend a community college in the fall for VN. I've filled out my FAFSA for 2012-2013, and since I've been taking a pre-req college class, they had me fill out the 2011-12 FAFSA also. They say it'll cost about 10,000 dollars total. I know the 2012 pell grant totals $5500, so where is the other money going to come from. Im both broke and nervous. Thanks!

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Loans.

That's a little on the expensive side for a lpn program though..

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Loans (if your program participates in the Pell Grant program you can likely get federal subsidized/unsubsidized loans)

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10k is expensive? Mine was 22500, and most others around are 30k - 35k

The remainder will be paid by loans you get or out of pocket.

Loans.

That's a little on the expensive side for a lpn program though..

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:( the community college I am going to brags about how their prices are lower than surrounding colleges. That's till a bunch of money! If I need to get a loan, I guess I'll have to. I sure hope it's worth it.
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Apply for every scholarship available. You'd be amazed how many there are and how few actually make the effort to apply! ( My son even found one for people who have relatives that ride Harleys!) The admitting office can usually give you a list of what's available. Many scholorships are small, but every bit helps!

My local worksource center has a program to help pay for books and things like a stethoscope, uniforms, shoes, etc...Mine even gives out gas and grocery vouchers when things get tough during school! Whatever it takes to help you succeed.

I would also contact the local service agencies like VFW, EAGLES, ELKS...They are often willing to help out a local student, especially if you live in a small town or rural area.

Don't be afraid to get student loans. Having to work and go to school is very difficult for most. There are programs and facilities that will help pay back up to 80% of your loans when you agree to work for them for a certain length of time after graduation. These are mostly in areas of high need. Rural hospitals with critical access status is a good example.

The money is there, you just may have to do a little digging to find it!

Best of luck:nurse:

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:( If I need to get a loan, I guess I'll have to. I sure hope it's worth it.

Think about it this way, say you borrow $20,000 to get through school.

Even if you are 45 now, you would still have 20 years in the workforce.

As an LVN you should make at least $10 over minimum wage (minimum, or close to it is what you'd likely make with no education)

That's about $19,000 more per year. Times that by 20 years. That's about $380,000 more than you would make without the education.

Now, isn't that worth it?:nurse:

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
10k is expensive? Mine was 22500, and most others around are 30k - 35kThe remainder will be paid by loans you get or out of pocket.
Well, I started a lpn program, but left it to start a BSN program. Total cost including books was going to be around $5000. Pell grant covered all expenses plus you got a chunk back each semester. This is at a public technical college. There's also not much demand for lpn program so (using Econ here) they would be able to charge as much. The most expensive lpn program in the area will run you about 12k. I'll be paying around 25k for my whole BSN program.
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I was hoping since the course is going to be a Fall 2012 semester, then Spring and Summer 2013 semesters, that I would recieve two grants, one for each YEAR, for 2012 AND 2013. But I'm thinking it doesn't work like that. I really don't want to have to get a loan, after this course I'll be having to pay for so much; car, insurance, health insurance, etc. Oh well.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

No that is one academic year he financial aid year runs from Fall to Spring. There is minimal aid available for summer semesters. So you would likely be eligible for one grant only but check with the financial aid office at tour school

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

They can only give you half of that year's Pell Grant during each semester ($2750). They won't give you more. Maybe your state offers additional grants like mine does. You could also apply for local scholarships (but those will competitive, especially with the high school seniors). Other than that you'll be facing taking out loans to cover the rest of the costs. Some people can get additional Pell Grant money (beyond $5500 for the year) for summer study. I have twice; last summer and this coming. The school has to approve you for that, and not all schools' financial aid offices do everything they can for their students.

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

My program is costing a total of around $14,000 and while Pell has covered a great amount of that, I have resorted to a Stafford Loan to help with the costs of textbooks, supplies, gas, and other things I need throughout the program. I am getting around $1,300/semester from Stafford and it is helping tremendously. Talk to someone from the financial aid personnel to get more information on what else is out there to help you financially through the program. They will have all of the information you need! Also, scholarships! Don't think "oh so many people are applying, there is no way I stand a chance!" That is incorrect! I thought the same way and the semester that I applied for the first time I was the lucky recipient of a $400 check. :)

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