How did you make the decision/pay for NS/pre-NS?

[blondielocks]

Hi everyone

I see a lot of posts here about how to pay for NS and whether or not to work, go p/t, etc. I'm going to start my pre-reqs for NS in January and have some decisions to make.

Currently, I am employed FT working retail. I bring home approximately $2400 a month. I have no children or husband. I have a rent of $650 and a car loan of about $140 plus some small CC bills that total a maximum of $200 a month. I do have some additional debt that I am working at aggressively paying down. It will most likely not be fully paid off before I start school in Jan but should be paid off w/in 6 mos.

I will be doing 2 classes per quarter. I have app'd for financial aid as well as the Stafford loans. I don't want to quit my job until I have SOME money saved up and have the vast majority of my debt paid off which will definitely be done by the time NS starts (As long as I get in on the TCC lottery system, I would be starting in Jan 2011 - I have some prereqs done already).

How did you decide what to do and how to pay for NS as well as your pre-reqs? Did you live on campus or get a roomate? Like I said, I would like to work PT during pre-reqs just because I am nervous to quit working + not sure how I would fund living expenses like rent and food and gas and groceries - any advice on how you paid for these things, especially if you have done this all alone? My parents are not able to pay for ANY of my schooling at this point nor am I able to move back in with them. Would it be better to do a private student loan in order to be able to concentrate fully on my pre-reqs and then NS when that time comes? I am concerned not only about getting through pre reqs and NS but my grades as well as I hope to go to UW Tacoma for the BSN program after my ADN graduation. I am also considering advanced practice nursing so the ability to have time to study and get good grades rather than just 2.5 passing grades is very important to me.

Basically any advice is appreciated!! Or your experiences too :)

[esunada]

Hi,

I am in a similar situation as you, so I could use more advice, but here is what I'm doing so far. I'm only taking two classes at a university per semester to get my prerequisites. I highly suggest getting a job as a waitress because they can make way more than retail and still have the flexibility. If you can get in at an entry level waitress job like perkins or applebees or start as a host/food runner and work your way up: that is what I"m doing right now. I did the stafford loan thing, and I'm only doing subsidized loans because unsubsidized loans are in the long run quite expensive - interest accumulates while in school and interest rate is at 6.8% right now. Try to see if your school or other places offer scholarships. I deferred my other loans, because if you're in school half-time you can stop payment on your federal loans w/o interest accumulating. I also live in a really, really cheap house, my bf is paying for rent while I'm schoool, which helps. I also try to live thrifty - get my haircuts at a school, rarely buy clothes, take the bus to school, etc. If all else fails, I have a cushion from my retirement funds. I know I'm not supposed to take from that, so only if I'm really low on cash. Always good to have a cushion of savings for those just incase moements! Maybe you could babysit for some friends or relatives or neighbors too. Good luck and hopefully some other people on here can give some better advice.

[windmill182]

I am doing my pre-req's right now. I take two classes a quarter and still work full time with absolutely no problems. I know girls who take 3-4 classes and still work full time. I dont start the actual program until fall 2011 either. I am saving every extra penny I have for that time so that I can quit working. I am doing stafford loans. Student loans are probably the better loans to have.

[cheertt2]

Try and go for student loans, if not scholarships. I am also taking 2 classes at a time while working full time and I am surviving and still have time to do other things so it depends on how you spread your time and energy. I hope to get some type of scholarship and grants and then all else fails then I will only take student loans because you can defer them during school.

[Guest 360983]

So far, I'm doing prereqs and taking 9-11 hours a semester and keeping my full time job. I just can't afford to quit my job or go part time. I'm lucky enough to have a job that is somewhat flexible, and I do a lot of online classes. Try community colleges for the pre-reqs if you work a 9-5 job like me; they tend to have more evening/weekend classes.

Nursing school itself... well, I'm saving a lot now, I paid off my credit cards, and I'm planning on scholarships, student loans, and part time work.