Health Insurance for nursing school, how can I afford this!?

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I'm applying for my school's nursing program this January, and one of the requirements if I get accepted is to have health insurance. Which I don't have..because my family can't afford it, and I don't work. The school tells us they don't want us to work, and if we work it has to be part time ( which means I probably wont get any benefits) . The school doesn't offer any health insurance at a lower cost for us either, they are asking for "Major Medical/Hospitalization Insurance" that we need to get for ourselves.

What am I to do? get loans to pay for it?

I plan to get a summer job before starting school to save money for the supplies ( Books, uniform , pda ect.) , but it wont do for health insurance. Around how much could it cost monthly for me? I'm 20, single, unemployed student.

Parents don't have insurance either so I cant be covered by them, and they can't afford to help me get one. I've payed for my schooling with scholarships and grants. If it's not too much a month, I could cover it with student loans.

I need some advice on what to do :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Get a part-time job at Starbucks. They offer benefits to their part-time employees. Also, retail workplaces such as the Home Depot offer benefits to part-timers. This could serve as a way to earn money on weekends and obtain insurance while you study during the week. You can also land a job at a healthcare facility as a dietary worker, unit secretary, or housekeeper as a means to obtaining this insurance.

Of course, you can go to a website such as esurance.com to see how much an individual policy would cost.

In addition, my school didn't want the students to work full-time, either. Guess what? I worked full-time anyway because taking out loans for living expenses was not an option. My grades were good while maintaining full-time employment during school. I graduated. It worked out. People can work full-time and attend school full-time if the time management is good and the priorities are in order.

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HopefulUS:

I have a totally different opinion. This is from a 40 something who has returned to college to obtain my RN license. Yes, you are going to find lots.... of people on this site that have claimed to have worked full time and gone to nursing school. I am from Michigan and here is the real deal in this state. Nursing school is as hard as you can get! If taken many... bachelor and graduate level classes and NONE have been as hard as the nursing program.

My opinion is that if you want to maintain the highest grades possible you work as little as you possibly can. At 20 years old you can qualify for Medicaid (depends on your state) and a Bridge Card to help with food. No, I don't think that anyone should take advantage of federal and state dollars but they are there to help people! Do NOT be ashamed, just do what you need to do. Then you will have fulfilled the obligation of having health insurance for your nursing school and have solved your problem.

Find someone who is knowledgable about Medicaid and get the help you need. There is alot of misinformation out there so be careful. Soon you will have completed the RN program and have passed your state boards and then you can get an awesome job and be a productive, contributing, tax paying citizen! I wish you the very.... best! :)

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If I were you I'd go talk to the nursing school about this. Explain your situation and ask them if they have any suggestions to point you in the right direction. I'm sure you're not the only 20-year old without health insurance in the nursing class, there must be many others in your boat. The school may be able to suggest government programs you can apply for, or the school itself (if affiliated with a community college or state university) may offer low-cost health insurance to full-time students.

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1. Are you SURE your school doesn't offer health insurance? Or do you just think what they offer is too expensive? Just clarifying.

2. You can often write a letter of appeal to your financial aid offer to get the cost of health insurance included in your cost of attendance, meaning that it could be rolled into federal student loans (if you are already getting these). You will still have to find insurance of some kind, but at least it can get lumped into some of the lower-rate loans if you are lucky.

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HopefulUS:

I have a totally different opinion. This is from a 40 something who has returned to college to obtain my RN license. Yes, you are going to find lots.... of people on this site that have claimed to have worked full time and gone to nursing school. I am from Michigan and here is the real deal in this state. Nursing school is as hard as you can get! If taken many... bachelor and graduate level classes and NONE have been as hard as the nursing program.

My opinion is that if you want to maintain the highest grades possible you work as little as you possibly can. At 20 years old you can qualify for Medicaid (depends on your state) and a Bridge Card to help with food. No, I don't think that anyone should take advantage of federal and state dollars but they are there to help people! Do NOT be ashamed, just do what you need to do. Then you will have fulfilled the obligation of having health insurance for your nursing school and have solved your problem.

Find someone who is knowledgable about Medicaid and get the help you need. There is alot of misinformation out there so be careful. Soon you will have completed the RN program and have passed your state boards and then you can get an awesome job and be a productive, contributing, tax paying citizen! I wish you the very.... best! :)

I filled out a survey on the government site and it seems I qualify for medicaid, I'm broke how couldn't I ? :p

So that's an option. You're right, it's not like I'm using government help to just sit at home doing nothing, I'm working to become a nurse! I've spoken to my parents, and they say I can stay home with them while in nursing school, and with a part time job and/or loan I can pay for a low cost health insurance ( like blue cross) and my expenses. I'll do what I gotta do to get through.

Thanks so much to everyone for the replies :) I feel a lot better now about the situation. :yeah:There is always a solution.

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Get a part-time job at Starbucks. They offer benefits to their part-time employees. Also, retail workplaces such as the Home Depot offer benefits to part-timers. This could serve as a way to earn money on weekends and obtain insurance while you study during the week. You can also land a job at a healthcare facility as a dietary worker, unit secretary, or housekeeper as a means to obtaining this insurance.

Of course, you can go to a website such as esurance.com to see how much an individual policy would cost.

In addition, my school didn't want the students to work full-time, either. Guess what? I worked full-time anyway because taking out loans for living expenses was not an option. My grades were good while maintaining full-time employment during school. I graduated. It worked out. People can work full-time and attend school full-time if the time management is good and the priorities are in order.

Yup, I'm thinking if I stay with my parents and with a part time job and maybe one loan I can make it through nursing school without any problems.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I do work at Starbucks, and have their insurance. It's not super cheap, but they do offer a couple of choices in most states. You're only required to work an average of 20 hours per week to qualify. I'm 39 years old, and also have my BA, but I happen to be one of those people that manages time VERY well. Working and going to school isn't for everyone, so use your best judgement. If you qualify for Federal aid, then use it! If not, try the Starbucks route. Good luck and best wishes!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I am going to quit my full time job with bennies to go to NS. I am currently looking for a replacement for the insurance requirement. Accident/Hospitalization is what they want. The college policy is $110 every 2 months, but I decided to look for other deals. United Health carries individual plans for about the same price... or lower for me... and it's better coverage.

Check out the big insurance companies in your state and see what they offer for individuals. I just pay for Dr visits cash and that is a lot cheaper than the monthly premium.

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