Homeless

[artistnurse]

I know there have been tons of posts on this subject, so what's one more...I've asked everyone who would know, I suppose so I don't expect a solution..Therefore, this will just be an exhale.

I have actually thought about living out of my car during nursing school, lol!!!

I do believe I will be approved for a Stafford loan which won't even touch living expenses. The financial aid counselor has basically told me that's all they can do, which is really disappointing since she's been telling me not to worry, they understand the financial issues with nursing students. Had I known that's all they could do ahead of time, I could have been preparing better financially for this. I've been keeping in contact with them from early on, because I want to try to be prepared for almost every obstacle. I've applied for scholarships, which are not guaranteed. I do not have a cosigner, and no one to move in with.

I start at the end of this month, which is really stressing me out. I just think it's sad that the financial aid office cannot help any more than what they've told me.

[Bicster]

If you are considering the homeless route, maybe this isnt the time to be in school. The responsible choice would be to work for a while, save, then transition into something new.

[missjennmb]

If you are considering the homeless route, maybe this isnt the time to be in school. The responsible choice would be to work for a while, save, then transition into something new.

although I think being homeless is a bit extreme, I have been in a position where "it just wont work" and unfortunately, putting it off "for awhile" sometimes becomes a huge problem in itself. I'm 31 and doing what I should have done when I was 21 because I didn't think I could make it work back then. Her life won't get better until something changes.

How long are you going to be in school? I'd suffer, rent a room, walk instead of drive, sleep on someone's couch, whatever... IF it was for an LPN program. Then I'd work my way through from there. I don't think that I would be comfortable going "homeless" for longer than that though, when I could work my way through the rest.

[Melinurse]

SteveRN21 had some great advice. I personally worked full-time as a CNA during NS to help pay for it. I did not get approval for any loans at all. Mastercard actually gave me the best rate on a loan. I was able to negotiate a 4.5 % intrest rate on tuition charges only with the card and an 11% intrest rate on school supplies like books and/or uniforms for clinicals. Rate went up to 6% on tuition after 2 years but stayed at 11% for everything else. I was very very careful to not use the card for anything else no matter how tempted I was.

Good luck with your education.

[Wicked Wahine]

I disagree with waiting to start school. The best way to dig yourself out of the situation you're in is to work your butt off and get through school, then you'll have your license and a career. I love all of the suggestions! If it were me, I think I'd go for the roommates option. At my CC, it seems like there are always flyers up for roommates wanted.

Whatever sacrifices you end up having to make now will just make your license at the end of this journey that much sweeter. Make it work, you can do it!

[Jules A, MSN]

I disagree with waiting to start school. The best way to dig yourself out of the situation you're in is to work your butt off and get through school, then you'll have your license and a career. I love all of the suggestions! If it were me, I think I'd go for the roommates option. At my CC, it seems like there are always flyers up for roommates wanted.

Whatever sacrifices you end up having to make now will just make your license at the end of this journey that much sweeter. Make it work, you can do it!

While I don't know enough about the OPs situation to make that call there are many cases, imo, where the responsible thing would be to continue working and save money before starting back to school. I read far too many posts about people just deciding that the end result, their RN license, is worth making poor financial choices in the meantime.

[moncj66]

I agree with the live in job, free room and somewhat easy job. But, I did have a friend that was homeless for one year of law school and he basically stayed at the library until closed, then denny's, he barely slept , so he did sleep in his car whenever necessary. he took showers at the gym and all that other stuff, so it is possible. good luck, but I think roommates and job should be first options

[missjennmb]

While I don't know enough about the OPs situation to make that call there are many cases, imo, where the responsible thing would be to continue working and save money before starting back to school. I read far too many posts about people just deciding that the end result, their RN license, is worth making poor financial choices in the meantime.

But this is not talking about racking up a millenium worth of debt. This is just a year of living in a tough situation. I'd live in my car if I had to, to get through school (if I was single and had no children). The end result is worth the sacrifice. Education is a precious thing that we are not always going to have a chance to take advantage of (atleast I did not) and I would do ANYTHING in my power to avoid squandering that opportunity even if it meant living on ramen and sleeping in my car.

[moongirl]

LadyJane, you are a genius! I'm not even in school fulltime anymore but now I wish I was, what a great set-up.

I agree! When I was a student, there were actually positions listed on the bulletin board in the nursing dept, specifically requesting a nursing student to live in to help an elderly couple. Check with your advisor at school, place an ad in the paper!

[rnmomtobe2010]

I would find a couple of roommates and work rather than living in my car. Good luck to you.

Short and to the point!! I love it...

[tiggerdagibit]

While I don't know enough about the OPs situation to make that call there are many cases, imo, where the responsible thing would be to continue working and save money before starting back to school. I read far too many posts about people just deciding that the end result, their RN license, is worth making poor financial choices in the meantime.

I agree with that to a certain extent, but I think sometimes it's better to make the short term sacrifices so that life will be better afterward. I started college in '92 after I graduated HS. I ended up getting pregnant and thought I'd go back after I had her. I did.. 12 years later. During that time I struggled every day to make it, rarely making enough money to pay all the bills AND eat AND pay for diabetic treatment. If I had gone back earlier, I'd be much better off now. If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now, I would've done whatever I had to, to get through school. We're making a lot of sacrifices now for me to be in school, but I feel that in the end it will be worth it.

(a little off topic, but.. ) Another good thing.. by my going to school, my husband wants to go for nursing when I'm finished and my kids are going to see the value of a college education and have already changed their career aspirations. My oldest wants to work in healthcare in some aspect. She's talked about being a dermatologist or a peds doctor and my youngest wants to be a nurse or a vet. Now I realize that they may change their minds between now and when the time comes for them to go to college, but it sure beats my little one saying she wanted to be a waitress when she grew up because I was one. lol

[Bicster]

I agree with that to a certain extent, but I think sometimes it's better to make the short term sacrifices so that life will be better afterward.

Its not that simple though.

As I have said time and again on this board, loans are not the financial panacea of society. They need to be paid back-regardless if you complete your program or not. While a nurse's starting salary is above average, its not phenominal. Having to repay loans on top of normal bills can be too much for some and you wind up in a worse place than you started. Ive seen it too many times.

Back to your post: I think its always better to think longterm than shortterm.

[DA314]

Taking out an afforable amount of loans while in school in order to gain a degree in a useful field is definitely worth it. I agree that you should be aware of your future obligations, but it makes no financial sense to save up the money before going to nursing school.

1. If you don't already have a degree, it is difficult to get a career that pays enough to have money left over to save some.

2.Financial aid via grants is harder to come by these days.

3. Even though I have the money, I am taking out student loans. I can put my money in a high-yield savings account, earning 5% interest, and get a hospital or the state to pay off my loans. The state I live in (Kentucky) and several area hospitals offer loan forgiveness programs due to the nursing shortage. Why pay out of pocket for something that someone else will pay for later?

4. The sooner you earn your nursing degree, the sooner you'll start earning a higher paycheck. That means you can invest your money earlier, creating more wealth in your old age (retirement income). Waiting until you have saved the money will only cost you more in future income.

Just my .