How do you afford living expenses when attending full time school?

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I'm in the process of applying to ABSN programs, and I'm trying to figure out how to finance this degree! I know I can take out student loans to cover the cost of tuition, but how do you finance LIFE? Rent/mortgage, food, car payments? All of the schools I'm applying to strongly discourage working while you attend full time. Any suggestions? I'm married with 4 kids- it's a little hard to get a second job while I wait for acceptance letters. Any ideas? Suggestions?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

I don't have any answers for you, but wanted to let you know that I was wondering the same thing, so I'd love to hear people's replies! I'm starting an ABSN-MSN program in September and my last day of work will be August 3rd. I do not have any children, but I am 28 and have a lot of bills to pay. Unfortunately, the bills won't stop just because I quit my job...:(

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I'm looking into an ABSN program. As soon as I decided I was going to quit my job and go to school full time, I started cutting expenses and saving money. My husband also works. Our cars are also paid off and both are going strong other than some minor repairs here and there. So I have enough money saved up to pay for tuition and also pay for some living expenses if need be. Our mortgage is also relatively cheap compared to our combined income. We've also put a lot of extra money in my husband's 401k and we would be able to borrow from it if for some reason we needed to. I don't think we will but it is nice to have a safety cushion there just in case.

So basically, I plan to use the savings I've built up to pay for living expenses and tuition.

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I found out that we can take out the money we put into oil ROTH IRAs without penalty. That and some additional savings is allowing me to get through my ABSN program without loans.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

That's so great that you two have enough money saved up! I wish I was in the same boat. The annual tuition at my school is about $33K, minus the cost of books, uniforms, supplies, living expenses, etc. Plus, it's mandatory for everyone to have a 32GB iPad for classes now, so I already had to shell out money for that. I guess that's what I get for choosing a private university. My mom keeps telling me that God got me this far, and He won't leave me hanging now. I just wish He would clue me in just a little. I am really excited to start the program...I just hope the finances work out for me.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I too wish I had saved up before starting this journey. I am using FASFA and student loans. My husband has kindly transferred some of his post 9/11 GI bill to help out too. With all this and him being active duty military it helps. We too have 3 children at home so we have a tight budget.

It's my goal to going the military when i graduate and i am hoping they will still have some kind of tuition assistance to help with the student loans mounting up.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

Mandatory ipad goodness!! The tuition at my school is around the same as yours.

That's so great that you two have enough money saved up! I wish I was in the same boat. The annual tuition at my school is about $33K, minus the cost of books, uniforms, supplies, living expenses, etc. Plus, it's mandatory for everyone to have a 32GB iPad for classes now, so I already had to shell out money for that. I guess that's what I get for choosing a private university. My mom keeps telling me that God got me this far, and He won't leave me hanging now. I just wish He would clue me in just a little. I am really excited to start the program...I just hope the finances work out for me.
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Financing school is definitely a challenge! I am lucky that the tuition at my state school is about half that. I have four kids and we would not be able to swing tuition at a private university without substantial loans. I also don't qualify for FAFSA. Keep searching your options, you will find a way! Good luck!

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
That's so great that you two have enough money saved up! I wish I was in the same boat. The annual tuition at my school is about $33K, minus the cost of books, uniforms, supplies, living expenses, etc. Plus, it's mandatory for everyone to have a 32GB iPad for classes now, so I already had to shell out money for that. I guess that's what I get for choosing a private university. My mom keeps telling me that God got me this far, and He won't leave me hanging now. I just wish He would clue me in just a little. I am really excited to start the program...I just hope the finances work out for me.

Holy moly! That's quite expensive! Hopefully you figure something out! This thread is making me grateful for my 10k tuition. We paid off and sold an extra vehicle we had to pay for tuition since I don't qualify for financial aid. I'm married and already a stay at home mom, do I'm not worried about living expenses. However, I'm not sure how I'm going to manage child care costs. If it isn't one thing, it's another!

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Wow @ 33k/yr! That's gotta hurt! Is there anything else local to you that is cheaper? I am looking at about $15k total for a BSN (I am not doing ABSN but I do already have a bachelors). I have 2 kids and work FT. For us, we can pretty much live on DH's salary (almost). I am saving my ass off right now so I can cashflow the tuition and have enough extra to help us with living expenses that DH's salary won't cover. The good thing about it taking 18m for me to do pre-reqs is that I have time enough to save.

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The first school I applied to (and wasn't accepted) cost $33k/year. I figured that not being accepted gave me time to save and possibly get into a cheaper school. I'm applying to a few schools of varying prices though.

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

Start looking for scholarships and work for the school sometimes you can get an discount. That is what I am doing beside my VA benefits. Good luck everyone!!!

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