How is everyone paying for school?

[joybells]

I am in the crux of trying to decide on how to pay for school. Financial is out because my completion rate is below 80% never heard of that until now. I dropped some course and took them later and passed, but this does not account for anything. But anyways there is a hospital in my area that pays for school but you have to work for them afterwards and then there is the student loan through a private lender. I am stuck I don't want to put off school any longer. I am not sure about letting the hospital pay because I want the freedom to choose where I work, but part of me says atleast you are somewhat guaranteed a job. I don't know come on guys any suggestions?

[lilo2010]

I know how you feel! They say I can't get financial aid because husband makes too much. LOL! They need to look @ all the bills we have! I'm getting student loan to pay for school! Looked into hospital option! But decided did not want to be tied down to one place!

[dcgrrl, ASN, RN]

I'm struggling with that issue too. Right now, I'm scheduled to take one class in the Fall for this very reason. Fortunately, my CC has a payment plan for me to spread out the costs over the semester. Have you looked at scholarships available from your state/county/ city?

Also, I Googled nursing + scholarships and got quite a few hits well worth checking out. I'm assuming you've spoken to the folks in Financial Aid at your school. If not, they may have some additional financial aid resources you may not have been made aware of. In the meantime, here are some websites I frequent that may be of interest to you:

www.nursingscholarship.us

http://www.discovernursing.com/scholarship-search

State Financial Aid:

http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public?topicID=24&operation=topic

Scholarships and Loans from the Bureau of Health Professions

http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/index.htm

Good Luck!!

[notthereyet0]

I don't know about any other state but in Ohio there is a program that if you work for 5 years, they will forgive the loan 20% a year. I don't know what restrictions are there, didn't seem like much though the loan had the same interest as bank loans. In Ohio it is called NEALP or Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program. ( I think that is what it stands for). The pain about it is that you have to have your financing already in place for the semester because they don't ok the loan until the first week in Sept so then I assume they will replace my other loan with that?

[joybells]

I got more info from you guys. The only thing I got from my financial aid office was a rejection letter and a website for outside lenders. I think I am more leaning toward the student loan so that I can have freedom to choose my employer and not be tied down to that one hospital. So thanks for all the advice and websites I will check into all of the info. I have to hurry though school starts soon. My only other option is the payment plan as well my school does offer that atleast.