How Are YOU Paying For School?

Jules A, MSN · Jan 18, 2007

Check at the school you are going to attend because at the CC I'm going to there was an advertisement for a local scholarship for former homemakers who want to pursue a degree so maybe something like that could help. Is there any way you could take a part time job on DH's days off to add a bit more to the pot while you are just taking your online pre-reqs? Every little bit would help especially if its going to take you a couple of years to get into the nursing program.

Me? I'm doing it the old fashion way, using my savings and working full time.

TAB_RN · Jan 18, 2007

FASA didn't offer you a student loan? I am doing it that way - start paying it off 6 months after graduation. That way, I will be working full time as a registered nurse.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jan 18, 2007

Make sure you go talk to someone in the financial aid office at your school. They're the experts and can hopefully offer some additional help/suggestions. Give them a couple of weeks to let the new semester thin out a bit though, lol...they'll have a bit more patience then!!

2bNursewith7kids · Jan 18, 2007

I am using student loans. Yes, when it is all over, I will be paying student loans until I'm in my grave. The thing I don't like is that you fill out the FAFSA and, unless you are poverty-stricken, you do not qualify for anything. I have 7 children and my husband is the only one working at this time. I did not qualify for anything but loans, loans and more loans. We had to pay cash for the deposits, books, supplies, etc. There is even a balance that the student loans do not cover that we then have to pay in 3 installments. It is not easy, that's for sure. But I would say it also depends on the cost of your college. The one I attend costs $21,000 a year tuition, then all the other fees and costs like books.

jov · Jan 19, 2007

when I applied for the FASA, it came back offering me nothing
We owe alot of money from our equity line loan but very little credit card debt.

Hi Cheryl,

how are you going to get loans when you already have a large debt? I mean, why would a loan officer take a chance on you if you already can't pay off what you owe, you know what I mean?

my advice would be live beneath your means (always a good rule) and save up some money. Best of luck!~

Soup Turtle · Jan 19, 2007

I'm paying with student loans and cash. I don't qualify for grants...I've been told I am the "wealthy poor". For prerequs, it helps if you don't buy the book until you're ABSOLUTELY sure you need it. I have purchased many books that were never used because I was told I "needed" them.

OnTheRoad · Jan 19, 2007

I payed cash for my first few semesters of prereqs (was only taking one or two classes). Then I started taking loans. Once I got into nursing school I applied for scholarships and recieved one and I am still taking loans.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2007

I did not qualify for any financial aid since I live alone and have the typical middle-class material acquisitions (a house, 2 newer cars, large savings account, good income). I applied for a credit-based Sallie Mae student loan and was approved. I financed my $20,000 tuition with a Sallie Mae student loan and did not have to start making payments until I completed school.

Visit http://www.SallieMae.com for more information. Good luck!

cdietrich404 · Jan 19, 2007

I did not qualify for any financial aid since I live alone and have the typical middle-class material acquisitions (a house, 2 newer cars, large savings account, good income). I applied for a credit-based Sallie Mae student loan and was approved. I financed my $20,000 tuition with a Sallie Mae student loan and did not have to start making payments until I completed school.
Visit http://www.SallieMae.com for more information. Good luck!

Thanks. I checked out the site and think that is how i will pay.

To the previous poster: Yes I do have a large debt and honestly I don't see it getting paid off too soon unless we have that second income which is why I intend to go back to school.

Cheryl

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 19, 2007

I am just about ready to go back to school but the problem I am facing is money. We live paycheck to paycheck and when I applied for the FASA, it came back offering me nothing
...
So back to my question...how are YOU paying for school? and do you have any suggestions for my situation?
Thanks
Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,

When I first tried to go to school FAFSA offered me nothing too, (I had earned above the poverty line the fiscal year previously). Well, I ended up running into tougher times and earning less and a few years later I figured that I had better get to school no matter what, (now or never).

I was expecting nothing. Yet, turns out that since I had earned so little that FAFSA ended up covering everything! Yup, and since this was at a junior college the cost was so little that it was covered by the FAFSA grants, no loans!

However when I transferred to a four year university I did end up needing loans, (approved due to FAFSA allowances).

Someone once told me that if two parents are both going to school full time that the amount of money they are allowed for school is decent enough to cover your cost of attendance, (including living). However, these will be loans.

I am currently on government approved loans and also alternative loans.

Good luck,

Gen

RN BSN 2009 · Jan 19, 2007

loans!