How did you fund your education?

shoegalRN, RN · Oct 31, 2008

I am going to a private university for my BS nursing. The school is extremely expensive but I can start in Spring rather than wait until Fall semester. I applied financial aid, only got about $3000 grand. The tuition is $22000 per year. I can properly get a loan, but may take a long time to pay back. Need some advice from you guys.

If you do have to take out private loans to pay for school, you can find hospitals who will pay off your school loans if you agree to work for them for a certain amount of time. For example, most hospitals agree to pay off the loans (or a good portion of them) if you agree to work 2 years for them after graduation.

My nursing education is paid for because the school I attend has a loan forgiveness program upfront. I have to work for one of the hospitals in their healthcare system for 3 years in exchange for them paying my tuition. You should check into something like that.

Good luck!

avahnel, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2008

HRSA also has a loan repayment program thru the fedral govt. My state gives a lower interest rate and loan forgiveness for anyone in public service.

back2thebooks · Oct 31, 2008

I got my Bachelor's Degree (not in nursing) 12 years ago and I funded my whole education through student loans. In my opinion, it's a great investment. Not sure what type of aid you received, but I would also suggest applying for grants (if you financially qualify) and scholarships. For most student loans, you have 10 years to pay them after you graduate and a very reasonable interest rate.

SarahLovesNovember, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2008

I had to take out private loans. I could cry if I thought about it too much. I'm working a deal with the hospital I work at currently to help with some, not all, tuition reimbursement and for next year I am applying for any nursing scholarship out there. The interest rate on private loans is higher than federal loans.

dreamon · Oct 31, 2008

I plan to use my Army college fund money, and to apply for as much scholarships as I have the time and energy to.

I know many people are downgrading their lifestyle- unfortunately or fortunately mine got downgraded months ago because of my divorce. So I plan to start over and begin a new lifestyle.

A 1 bedroom apartment for my daughter and myself, a car with no payments, etc. I really hope I can do it.

CuriousMe · Oct 31, 2008

Does your school have a scholarship office? If so, I'd make a beeline down there and speak with them about private scholarships as well as federal grants and institutional grants.

Peace,

CuriousMe

NeoNurseTX, RN · Oct 31, 2008

Private loans..for everything - rent, groceries, and tuition. My uni was only about 2k a semester though.

olympia · Oct 31, 2008

Loans, loans, and more loans. Most of my loans were through FASFA with half being subsidized, the other half were not. In addition, I had been paying approx $3k per semester in cash for the amount that was not covered through those loans. Can't do that anymore, so this semester I took out a private loan through Wells Fargo. Most major banks have education loans. Wells had an education loan for students in the medical field for a range of majors including nursing. With this loan, repayment does not begin until 6 mos after graduation. It was an easy application process and fast approval.

I personally have not had much luck at scholarships, accept for a small academic scholarship through my college. I have heard that FastWeb.com is a good site for finding scholarships. I have tried it a handful of times. It is sort of like playing the lotto though, you increase your odds the more apps you submit.

Good luck! :twocents:

Azureshunter · Oct 31, 2008

Thanks guys! very useful information~

gabriella86 · Oct 31, 2008

Parental Plus Loan

bradons · Nov 1, 2008

I work in the summer from april/may to middle of september. that money usually covers my tuition, books, and about half my rent. i have a lot saved up so ive been using that a bit. just bought a truck so now im using that account up a little faster but still have enough for my last term this year and the full year next year (finally my last year)