Great - 9 months to go and I may have to quit...

So, I have 9 more months 'til I'm a nurse and can make my own $$ and very possibly leave my alcoholic husband.

I'm really excited and hoping these last 9 months will fly by & I'll be on my way to a better life for my children and myself.

Because we have 7 kids, I've been "randomly" chosen all semesters excpet for 1 by the FAFSA people to be "reviewed" before they will approve my financial aid and loans. From what I've been told, the 7 kids issue automatically triggers a review. Its getting to be a pain in the butt and I can hardly see how its random. But, its fairly easy to get through, just extra stuff that annoys me to have to waste my time to deal with.

So, again, about 3 weeks ago I get the letter from my schools financial aid dept saying that I've been chosen for review. Big surprise there.

I gather my paperwork, tax forms, ect and drive to my school 45 mins away and stand in the darned financial aid line for over an hour. Give them my papers, ect and ask for my book voucher.

I'm told to come back in 4 weeks for my voucher, thats when my review will be processed. Ummm.....school starts in 2 days.....I have almost 400.00 in books to buy. We have assignments from day 1 of classes, I know this because we already have our day to day schedules.

Seems the school changed the way they do things and now don't give out vouchers for books (extending credit to you in the school bookstore - you sign a form saying that if financial aid doesnt come through, you owe the school $$). Thats the way its been for the 3 years I've been a student there.

So, I'm on my own. I don't have $400.00 I won't have $400.00 anytime soon.

I don't have any credit cards. I don't have family that will help. Heck, I'm getting so desperate that I would have gone and written a bad check for my books & paid the check off when my $$ came in, if my husband hadn't gotten our account closed recently.

School starts in less than 2 days!!! I have no books!!!

I called and spoke to a financial aid manager and basically, I'm just plain old S.O.L.

I'm really mad that they changed the way they handeled this with no warning at all. :angryfire

If I would have had some warning, I could have probably tucked away some money for some of the books at least.

I emailed my instructors and there isn't anything they can do to help. To make it worse, I was trying to find them used but the books I need this semester look to all be new editions, so nothing is available used at a good used price. I did find one but after shipping, it would be the same as if I got it at the bookstore.

I am soooooo discouraged. I can't think of any alternative than to drop out of the program. I can do that, but there are no guarantees that a seat will reopen for me in the program.

I know there isnt much anyone can say, I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

I don't see how the financial aid office can legally do this...atleast 2 days before class begins. How can they expect you to go without your text books? And if it's going to take 4 weeks what about your tuition? I know at my school it has to be paid within the first couple days of class. If they're reviewing your funds doesn't this include your tuition as as well? This doesn't sound right to me. Call FAFSA themselves and speak to someone and go around the school. I hope you get things squared away. Good luck to you.

Hi everyone,

I'm on my home computer and I have to be quick, as it has decided to shut down randomly all the time. (thought it was a virus, but it seems to be that the CPU overheats...)

Anyhow,

I just wanted to say how blessed I feel. So much compassion, kindness, support and encouragement for a stanger, its amazing. I'm sitting here reading through the whole thread sobbing - y'all are such a blessing to me.

Thanks to the some generous people here I think all that is left that I need is the big huge med surg book and study guide.

I called the school library and they dont have it, but may be getting it.

I'm going to email my instructor right now if my computer continues to cooperate to ask if there is an extra book he has or if he has any suggestions.

I called the manager of the school bookstore thats now "taken over" by Barnes and Noble. Basically she said that its not the decision of the local managers but its a "corporate thing." Blech...

I'll write more later when I'm on a school computer. Thanks again for

everything.

Oh, and last night three of my childrens classmates were killed in a firey car crash, ages 10, 11 & 12 - one more is in critical condition as are two adults - hug your loved ones an extra bunch - our time here is so short (this has me really upset today - soooooo tragic)

have you checked into the Wal-Mart idea yet? I am really curious to see if this will work for you. I was thinking maybe we could start a fund for you. If just 20 ppl gave $20 you would have the money. It might take some time though. Do you have a Paypal account? If so, funds can be sent directly to your email address.

I always get chosen for proof of my FAFSA thing. They want proof of child support paid, and proof of the bankruptcy payments, and a copy of my W2's. Unfortunately this year, they didn't bother to send me the form requesting this until the day before tuition was due. And to top things off, in the past I have been able to call and request his payment history to be mailed to us. This year the child support people have decided they have to talk to husband. Well husband works a 9-5 job. Guess when financial aid people are there. So I decided I would just say the heck with it. I don't have the patiences to fight these people.

:pumpiron: :pumpiron: I 'm a new LVN grad know how hard it is to work full time and go to school full time and take care of your children! I'm praying you don't give up and I would also like to help you with your books, however I don't have the ones you need but wouldl also like info on how to put money on the book acc. if that works out. Praying for you and your family.

Everyone has great suggestions, I'm SURE this will work out for you. However, this financial aid stuff is crapola. When everything is squared away and your check is cashed, I'd go to the school paper, They love stories like this, and maybe this won't happen in the future to another person that doesn't have your backbone or courage.

Oh my GOSH !!! Whatever you do don't drop out now! There is ALWAYS an exception to the rule....as was said before, get yourself to the dean of your nursing program, go to the head of student affairs, see whomever you need to see but FIND A WAY. You can always not pay something - you're getting a divorce soon so screw the credit, you'll catch up later when you have a GREAT career :) BTW, is it possible that you are close to the finish line, aware that you may be getting a divorce when you graduate, and are possibly self - sabotaging? Seems to me you jumped awfully fast to the "I need to drop out" theory. If so, don't be afraid - it will be alright. I know one of my former classmates that had NINE children, drove 1 1/2 hours each way to school in a Northern climate with lots of snow in the winter for four years to get her BSN. She then got her divorce and lived happily ever after !

Hi, quick update...

I spoke with the "head" of financial aid today. The problem is that the school moved away from using their own bookstore to contracting through Barnes and Noble, they have converted our school bookstore into one owned (?) and run by B&N. Barnes and Noble would not agree to using book vouchers.

Thats wierd because our schools bookstore has become Barnes and Noble this year to. And they have it plastered everywhere( the store, website) that you can buy your books with your finaicial aide, just tell the cashier and they will charge it to you account.

Hi, quick update...

I spoke with the "head" of financial aid today. The problem is that the school moved away from using their own bookstore to contracting through Barnes and Noble, they have converted our school bookstore into one owned (?) and run by B&N. Barnes and Noble would not agree to using book vouchers.

Thats wierd because our schools bookstore has become Barnes and Noble this year to. And they have it plastered everywhere( the store, website) that you can buy your books with your finaicial aide, just tell the cashier and they will charge it to you account.

Same at our school! Last year the bookstore went to Barnes and Noble also, and we too are able to charge our books to the financial aid. We did have to sign a release to be able to do so, but all the same, them telling you that it's "corporate wide" is nuttin' but B. S. !!!

I'd send an email to Barnes and Noble corporate and let them know, and also talk with the Bursar of your school and the financial aid supervisor. Something is fishy here.

I'm in a tough spot myself this semester. THis is my last semester, I'm a single mom, and have had scholarships (both GPA and "need based") each semester until this one. For whatever reason, this semester, I was sent letters of rejection for all 5 scholarships I applied for, which seems very strange. My GPA remains pretty good at 3.67 (again, heading into the final semester), and my financial need hasn't changed. I was told over a 1000 ppl applied for scholarships and others were chosen, even though I qualified for all 5 that I applied for.

So I'm struggling with how I'm going to pay for school and living expenses this semester also. I have applied for all the loans I can get, and we'll see how it turns out. I do have enough pell grant that it covers my tuition, so I don't have to be concerned with being dropped from the roster, so that's good.

As usually happens, I put my trust out there to the universe, say my prayers to God, and hope for the best. I have been worried before, and it has always worked out in one way or another, and I'm sure it will for you too. Just look at the overwhelming generosity of this board... you'll be fine.

:)

I really hope that everything works out for you. Still praying for you as I sit in my own financial aid hell.

Why on earth does this whole process have to be this freakin difficult?!?!?!

Hi again everyone!

My old computer is dying and randomly shuts down & refuses to work again until it determines its ready to! Apparently it likes me tonight. :wink2:

Anyhow, I wanted to say that I owe all of you a great big huge, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!!!! Thanks for the ideas, support and encouragement. Thanks to generous people here, I've got my books except for the big, expensive one. I can't believe the kindness of strangers, everytime I read my PM's, I get all teary-eyed. I wish I could give you all a hug!

To answer a few questions....our new B&N bookstore does allow students to charge books to their financial aid, but mine is not approved yet because of the review process & until its approved (paperwork basically), then nothing can be charged to the account.

Our school just seperated/cut ties with the University of KY and lots of things are being revamped, taken away and/or added. Lots of new procedures. I went to see if our library had the textbook I need and I kid you not, the library is so new (last year) that there is only 2 shelves of books - none of them textbooks!!!! We used to be able to use the UK library - but no longer.

I'm waiting to hear back from my med surg instructor to see if he has an extra copy of the text or what suggestions he has.

The financial aid people were basically worthless. One lady, the head of the dept, was sympathetic but still - there are no programs set up to help in situations like this. If you have no access to your grants and loans, you are up a creek and have to find your way to your books on your own.

The Walmart.com idea sounds good, but we had to file bankruptcy last year due to oldest developing a serious case of Crohns disease, ER visits, very expensive meds, needing surgery, ect....his biomother was court ordered to provide medical insurance, and wouldn't you know....she didn't. Par for the course with her, I guess. But in the end it didn't matter, we were the custodial parents and dh signed the forms stating financial responsibility so when $30,000.00 in med bills came due guess whose paycheck they garnished? Bio mom was/is nowhere to be found.

Anyhow......long way of saying.....we have no credit to be able to use the walmart.com service.

Okay, I'm going to end this now, I'm surprised the computer is still cooperating! Yeah!!!

Thanks again everyone!!!!!

Hugs,

~Stephanie

Hi Stephanie!

I sent you a PM with the details, your book is on the way and should reach you in two days. I know what it's like to be in a scary place financially and have rotten credit- I was there myself just a few short years ago. Things will get better, and you will be a wonderful nurse. Please let us know how you are doing!

Lori

You all are so sweet to help Stephanie. I'm not in nursing school yet, so I definitely don't have any of the books she needed.

It's nice to know how generous people are. :) I hope the rest of your semester goes well, Stephanie.

Best of luck to you and your family.