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.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Having been in the OP's shoes myself when I first entered nursing school, I have a couple points to make:

1. You can't cook Ramen when you're living in your car. You end up spending more money on things like prepared foods, having to wash your clothes at the laundromat, etc.

2. When you're homeless, you are forced to look at the short-term. Looking at the long term is a luxury at this point, but should be a goal in the future. Take those loans.

3. Don't quit school. That is the one thing that will prevent you from ending up homeless again. Although it may be a good idea to switch from the RN program to the LPN program, so you can get out there working sooner.

4. Only sell the car if you have access to public transportation, or if there is a classmate you can carpool with, and if it will make you enough money for a down payment on a place.

5. Go to your local dept. of human services, and see how they can help you. Also check out your local unemployment office's workforce development dept. for assistance while you're in school. Get at least some short-term crisis assistance. It's out there for people like yourself, who are trying to better your situation.

6. Definitely get a job. You are going to have to start working ASAP, and that live-in situation is a great idea, if there are any in your area.

7. If this is your first semester, study your tail off, and make the best grades you can make. You will have more scholarship opportunities that way.

8. Your first order of business is to get a job, but you're going to need an address and phone number where you can be contacted. Ask the school office if you can use their address for now. Do you have a pay-as-you-go cell phone?

9. You can do this. It's scary, and it sucks, but it is possible to get unstuck and stay that way. Good luck to you.

[4x4country]

first off there are a lot of great ideas in this thread. the op def. can start plannning their options. i just wanted to say that there are many students in your position and this thread could be very informative to others.

i agree with getting a job, even if it is part-time! live in nanny/cook/babysitter is a great idea, put ad in paper and online (cragslist). asking for a help through a church or voulunter (sp) agency, or workforce agency (workforce one? name of company?.---many people at my cc do this! ) also once you rent a room or income based apartment get food and soap, cleaning supplies at food pantries.

one student in the program, lives with a precher and family, and basically does paperwork for the church for food and board.

personally i don't like the idea of debt, no one does. do everything you can to avoid it! work! once your done with fundamentals, work as a cna. most people do to pay for school.

best of luck to you. start searching your options. don't be afraid to work and ask for help.

[amjowens]

Craig's List has a site with roomate connections. There's a section for renting rooms. I'd think with the number of people struggling with their mortgages at this time, you'd have more options now than normal.

If you have tuition paid with financial aid, that's a good thing. There are a few people in my class who work part-time. I don't recommend working more, because if you flunk out, look at that financial mess. So, yeah, I'd be one to do anything I could to get through school, even if it meant living in my car if I had to. Only a short time, relatively. No matter what, though, keep your mind as clear as possible so you can focus as much as possible on school. This is your chance.

So sorry about your situation. Unfortunately, with the financial mess seemingly affecting everything, I think there are going to be more people in your situation. Loans are getting tough to get even for the credit-worthy. Very very scary. I hope things improve for everyone...very soon. It's not the time for higher education to be squeezing people out, either. Other countries are expanding their intellectual capacities, and investing in those who desire an education. Sorry, political rant, and just makes me sad and frustrated.

[mrosev14]

I am in this boat as well. I start my first semester of nursing school in August and will not be working. I have worked 50 hours a week for the last two years while I was getting all my prereqs and my AA done. I have a home mortgage and normal bills. I am taking out $10k a semester for the 5 semesters I am in school. It sucks, loans suck, but I feel like this is without question the best option for me. Going to school from 8:30-3:30 M-F doesn't leave a lot of time to work and study. I will, however, be making money by babysitting on weekends for football games and such.

[artistnurse]

A quitter I am not, I am going to make it through nursing school. I was looking for ideas for my type of circumstance and encouragement.

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.

[artistnurse]

It would be responsible to put it off had i not relied on what the school told me. If I did that now, it would take forever. I would have saved more, but I didnt, hence my situation. But again, I'm not afraid of challenge or hard work so quitting or putting it off is not an option, I've worked hard to get into the program. Just looking for advice or knowledge that others have been in the same situation...and maybe a little encouragement. And I see that I will have to work full time or part time while in school...It will just be more difficult. Again, I'm not afraid of difficulty.

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.

[mrosev14]

Why not look into private loans?

[artistnurse]

I did. Thanks though.

Why not look into private loans?

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Surviving, keep that attitude and determination, and nothing will be able to keep you from succeeding. Hang in there, and keep your eyes on the prize. It's worth it. You can do it.

[k_r_ah]

Keep doing what you're doing, but try not to go the "living in my car route". I've been an unemployed full time student for a while now. I have to live off my loans and scholarships etc. You may have to sacrifice a few things but it will pay off. There are plenty of loan forgiveness/repayment programs as well as hospitals with sign on bonuses to help out with student loan debt.

Anyway, good luck and don't give up. There will always people who will try to get you to quit for their various reasons. Haters.:wink2:

[abay325]

go with steve's plan. my advice would be to get a job waiting tables. it's what has paid my way through school. apply at the more high end restraunts. the hight the menu prices, the more money you will make

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Look into unemployment benefits you may have accrued as well....