How did you afford to go to nursing school? (nursing ed. loan) I feel so overwhelmed.

aubreysmommy · Mar 29, 2010

I got Stafford loans and private loans and worked full time the whole time I was in school. Working full time while in nursing school, while not for everyone, is totally possible. I am not very educated on all the ins/outs of loans and financial aid as I did not qualify for very much. Good luck to you, I am sure someone else will have some better infor for you!

Crux1024 · Mar 29, 2010

There are maximum amounts that you can get for a federal student loan per year based on your year (ie, freshman, junior, senior...). http://www.finaid.org/loans/studentloan.phtml has the charts. Scroll towards the bottom.

smallnurse10 · Mar 29, 2010

Are you from NV? Just wondering based on your name. I live in LV and attend CSN. $50,000 is really alot for tuition and unfortunately not all of it will be covered by federal loans. If you are an independent student, low income and never been to college then you probably qualify for a pell grant of up to $5,000 per year that does not have to be paid back when you graduate. Your freshman year you can borrow up to $3,500 subsidized (if you qualify based on income) and up to $6,000 unsubsidized. This increases to $4,500 subsidized and $6,000 unsubsidized in your sophomore year. If you're going for an associate degree program you could get up to $30,000 in federal loans/grants if you qualified for all programs. You would still have to come up with the other $20,000 by taking out private student loans or through scholarships. For a BSN program you qualify for $12,500 per year in subsized and unsubsidized loans or up to $35,000 in federal loans. Before you sign the promissory note for all those private loans I would seriously consider going to a less expensive school. I applied for scholarships at the community college where I attend school and including books I have not paid more than $4,000 so far with one semester left. I couldn't fathom paying more when there are so many cheaper alternatives.

nvsmom · Mar 29, 2010

yes, I'm in California. I have a degree already and many of the schools (public) will not accept me b/c of that. I don't know if you all are aware of the educational crisis here. So right now, I'm left with private school options and program usually start at $50,000...I'm only looking into accelerated programs

smallnurse10 · Mar 29, 2010

I understand the educational crisis because in Nevada we are also suffering. I too have a previous degree and I had no problems getting into the community college here to attend. It is not an accelerated program but that doesn't bother me because I will be financially ahead when I graduate. My school doesn't have a waiting list and they accept 120 people for full time twice per year. Check out the website if you are willing to relocate to LV for nursing school to save yourself some money. My previous degree didn't hinder me at all from applying and receiving scholarships. Best of luck.

nvsmom · Mar 29, 2010

hi,

can you post the link to your school? Thanks.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 29, 2010

San Diego State University is just now signing up students for their new ASBN for those with a previous degree so we are seeing some short cuts around the crisis at least.

They are starting in summer. I just clicked on their link here at allnurses.

We have many students in my ADN program that have a previous bachelors and even a few with a previous Masters. They are saving big bucks by going to the community college and only paying $26/unit. If you live in CA take advantage! :)

RNYC · Mar 29, 2010

San Diego State University is just now signing up students for their new ASBN for those with a previous degree so we are seeing some short cuts around the crisis at least.
They are starting in summer. I just clicked on their link here at allnurses.
We have many students in my ADN program that have a previous bachelors and even a few with a previous Masters. They are saving big bucks by going to the community college and only paying $26/unit. If you live in CA take advantage! :)

the waitlists are 2-4 yrs for some ADNs in california. Kinda crazy

smallnurse10 · Mar 29, 2010

Certainly. They use a point system for admissions. The past few semesters a score of 26 or better has been accepted. You can apply for spring 2011 if you can get your pre-reqs complete before September 1st and take the Teas test.

http://csn.edu/health/

nvsmom · Mar 29, 2010

Thanks Kate 82.

Thanks FaerieWand. I am going to call them back as soon as school is back in session. I was trying to find information about the pre-reqs and TEAS, do you know any info about it?

SO do you have to be admitted as an undergrad student to SDSU? Just wondering because the website didn't explain whether it was automatic if you applied to the ABSN program or what... :-)

I hope they have a program that starts in the Fall (2010) and Spring (2011)

mustlovepoodles, RN · Mar 29, 2010

Most of the money that paid my way through school came from grants to low-income students(*like a Pell Grant) and a nursing loan which was forgiven if i worked in the state of Alabama for 2 years. The rest of the money came from symphonic band, marching band, jazz band, and chorus scholarships. Yup, my musical talents paid off in college. That's why I encouraged my own kids to take music. You don't have to be a music major to get the scholarships, you just have to be good. Sure, I had to work my butt off to keep up with school and all my music stuff, but I knew in the long run it would pay off. I did have one loan for about $1000(this was in 1977) which I paid off in the first year.

I also never had a car in college, so no car expenses. No credit cards either. I didn't eat out or buy soft drinks. I could take a dollar and stretch it ten ways to Sunday. and by avoiding all the junk food I avoided the Freshman 20.