How am I going to pay for nursing school?? input pls...

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Cardiology.

So I dont want to count my eggs before they hatch, but most likely I will be accepted into Loma Lindas School of Nursing for fall 2016. Their tuition will be approximately 75,000 - 80,000 dollars for a BSN (private 7th day adventist research hospital in socal). Although this education would be near the top tier I am VERY concerned about finding a loan of that magnitude. I have some money saved away, but it is saved for when im not working while attending nursing school. I have applied for federal financial aid and have received only 12,500 dollars for 2016-2017... this isnt gonna cut it....

Can anyone shed some light on grants and or private loans which they applied for? (my credit score is 660 or so) most likely a cosigner is out of the equation too (I dont have family)

Thank you in advance

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Have you contacted the school's financial aid office about school specific scholarships and grants you can apply for? Also apply for outside scholarships and grants - a google search should land you many of the major scholarship aggregating websites. (fastweb, college board, scholarships.com etc)

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If you're not able to pay for a BSN, why not go the ADN route? You may end up working LTC until you can bridge for your BSN, but you will be making money while bridging and you will pay a lot less for an ADN + Bridge than you will pay for a straight BSN.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Cardiology.

The reason is I would technically be wasting time. To my knowledge ADN programs at CC do not allow cold applications. They give priority to current students from my understanding. So I wouldn't have be able to start for another 2-3 (if i get picked from their lottery).

I am hoping I get accepted into UCI or UCLA for fall 2016, because what I will most likely do is finish up my bachelors degree and apply to a CSU program or PA school. I did the math and a 80,000 student loan would be a $800-1,000 monthly loan. I'm sorry but that's outrageous for a BSN.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

In our geographic area, hospitals are hiring diploma and associate degree RN's who will complete their BSN in five years or less. I'm going to a community college whose program is 8th nationwide for RN schools; and paying approximately $7,500 per year. If I go brick-and-mortar RN-to-BSN (after I complete my A.D. and pass the NCLEX-RN), it will run approximately $12,000 total.

$80,000 for a BSN... far, far, far too much money compared to alternatives.

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

Can you relocate to a more favorable state? In the rural area in which I reside you could be accepted in the ADN program I completed in the fall, assuming that you have the required prerequisites. There is usually one or two positions that are not filled or are filled by an applicant that barely makes the minimum requirements. The NCLEX pass rate is 95% plus and the tuition is somewhere around 12-15 thousand total for an ADN degree. With financial aid I only spent 4,000 out of pocket total for everything (books, tuition, housing for clinicals out of town, food, snacks, and supplies). I earned my BSN over the last 15 months from GCU which cost me around 14,000 with financial aid. The problem is you are in a saturated market both for schooling and employment. This could be an adventure and a chance to grow wings and fly.

Like said above, 80,000 is far too much for a nursing degree.....

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Even with private loans you will still be paying back the 80K. Also the entire time you are paying it back it is building on itself. So really you will be paying back like 100K.

Only you can decide what you want to do. I would first go to the bank and see if you would qualify for a loan and what amount. Then get exact interest rates.

Don't rush or panic. Getting 100K into debt is SERIOUS business. If waiting a year can save you 50K then I say do it, but it is up to you.

I have worked with nurses 70K in debt and they are living with their parents because 900 a month is going to a student loan.

Good luck!

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You may be spending more time, but you could save a lot of money

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Cardiology.

thank you for all the words of encouragement, socal is such a horrible area for school. Were surrounded by these schools which are "prestigious" they say, lines of students to pay 80,000K for a two year degree. I am nervous since I generally have 5 years to enter a program or my prerequisites expire.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
thank you for all the words of encouragement, socal is such a horrible area for school. Were surrounded by these schools which are "prestigious" they say, lines of students to pay 80,000K for a two year degree. I am nervous since I generally have 5 years to enter a program or my prerequisites expire.

And most of CA is a tough market for new grads regardless of school, experiences prior, and who you know. I wouldn't want to be in that kind of debt unless I was guaranteed a job after

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The reason is I would technically be wasting time. To my knowledge ADN programs at CC do not allow cold applications. They give priority to current students from my understanding. So I wouldn't have be able to start for another 2-3 (if i get picked from their lottery)...

Have you actually spoken with anyone at these CC regarding their admission requirements?

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Most CCs are based on a point system and they do not give priority for being there. Points are used on GPA, TEAS, experience, etc.

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