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

[ARickli]

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?

[PassionWithAPurpose]

This is what I was concerned about as well. Thank you everyone for some great answers!

[RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN]

I've only ever worked part-time so my annual income ($15,000) isn't missed much. Luckily hubby's salary is more than ample. We're paying cash (ZERO financial aid, loans, etc) for 2 kids in college (one is finishing his 3rd year at a local university and one starts this fall) plus me but so far it hasn't been a challenge. All 3 of us will graduate from college without owing anything. I know we're very fortunate!

[dancehallradio]

I worked part time while in school, but I did a traditional 4 year program. But I also know people in the accelerated programs that worked full time the whole way through. I think it is very much possible, the only problem is scheduling work. I never had a problem working and going to school, but I'm kind of crazy and like being busy. (going to work, then going to clinical straight from work, waking up and going to class the next morning... long days!)

[dancehallradio]

wow, must be nice. I will graduate 100,000 in debt. and I am the only person in school.

[jocy_anne]

ARickli, I may end up working part-time if I can squeeze it into my schedule. I've even toyed with doing Mary Kay or Thirty-One because it might allow for the most flexible schedule. But I'm a terrible salesperson, so I'm not sure that I'm really going to do that. Because you have children at home, working even part-time might not be an option for you. The one thing I'm not sure of is whether or not you can use private loans to pay for living expenses. I have a feeling that you probably can't do that...does anyone else know if that would be an option?

[jocy_anne]

And sunbaby0811, there are cheaper programs in the area, but all of the ABSN programs in Philadelphia cost about the same. I had thought about pursuing an ADN program, but have been told by several people that my area is really looking for nurses with a minimum of a BSN.

[Stephalump]

ARickli, I may end up working part-time if I can squeeze it into my schedule. I've even toyed with doing Mary Kay or Thirty-One because it might allow for the most flexible schedule. But I'm a terrible salesperson, so I'm not sure that I'm really going to do that. Because you have children at home, working even part-time might not be an option for you. The one thing I'm not sure of is whether or not you can use private loans to pay for living expenses. I have a feeling that you probably can't do that...does anyone else know if that would be an option?

When I took out a private loan from BOA (beck when they did that), they just gave me a check.

[theantichick]

Well, sometimes you don't have much choice. If you have a spouse with a decent income, you cut expenses, get grants/scholarships/loans and muddle through. If you're on your own like me, you may have to go a different route (I'm getting my AAS and will do a bridge for BSN later), work whatever you have to in order to pay the bills, and muddle through.

Given that I'm struggling with the AAS program and working full time, I wouldn't want to think about doing an ABSN and working, I can tell you that.

Good luck!

[Miss Molly]

I'll be starting an ABSN program in August and will be depending entirely on loans to live my life. Federal and private.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

I'm 42. I saved up all the money I need before I started my prereqs. I don't like being in debt for anything. Then, I did so good in my prereqs, I got a scholarship that is a full ride through nursing school!