How Much in Student Loans Do YOU Have?

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · May 13, 2008

Well, let's just say I have enough in student loans that I'm considering moving and working for IHS somewhere in the middle of nowhere in order to get my loans forgiven.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 13, 2008

Zero. I have been paying cash the entire way. I saved up before I started school and my savings was depleted by the end of fist semester (I paid cash for pre-reqs and co-reqs too). I continue to work two jobs full-time during the breaks and summer and the same two jobs part-time during the school year.

I already made the mistake with prior degrees taking out loans, I won't do it again!! It will take me about two years to pay off the prior loans without reimbursement to know what financial freedom feels like! :up: I may have someone pay for my MSN (or PhD) when the times comes, but my BSN I can easily pay for attending a state school and working as a nurse full-time. GL! :twocents:

goodstudentnowRN · May 13, 2008

I took out about 12,000 plus I have reimbursement.

Jules A, MSN · May 13, 2008

Zero here also. I went to a CC and worked full time so that I wouldn't have to use my savings. I ended up without any debt, thank goodness. If there is any way you can do it without quitting your job you will be far better off than the ones that graduate with $50,000 in debt and the attitude that it is "good" debt. Just my two cents but NO debt is good debt. Best of luck to you.

FWIW I went to school with a girl that took out loans for everything even pre-reqs and flunked out in our second year with $30,000 in debt and only her CNA.

puresass · May 13, 2008

i have $8k in loans from my BA, but i don't have any loans from my nursing program at my cc (so far).

i saved up before i started my program, then worked part-time during first semester, full time over winter break, quit completely during second semester & now i'm going to work full time again over summer break. my savings are about halfway gone, so i'm hoping to be able to replenish them over summer & not HAVE to work during fall if at all possible.

i think if it came down to it, i'd work part time to try to avoid taking out loans, but i wouldn't feel bad taking out loans since it wouldn't be a HUGE amount, probably around $2-3k.

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · May 13, 2008

not tons. i had to take out minor loans in the beginning to get me started, but then my VA benefits kicked in. i am disabled thru the US Army, and they paid my way through school. i think our program was (ADN) 4,500 just for that 2 yrs, but then the pre-reqs and all the other stuff you mentioned.. dunno... that scary to think about! i am going back for more, NEVER thought i would say that!!!!, and i already know that to start my RN-BSN-MSN will be 385/credit

nikki_nurse · May 13, 2008

I've got about 10,000 in loads that I owe to my siblings. I am hoping to keep it only at that and not have to borrow anymore money. But I imagine that I will pay them off quickly when I finish, especially if I move back home :)

CFainy · May 13, 2008

about 27,000 for 5 years at a SUNY school. Not bad compared to my bro who owes over 100,000 because he went to a private. Cant wait to be done paying for this nursing degree.... :bugeyes:

blur411 · May 13, 2008

45K and counting....private school because the waiting lists were ridiculous everywhere else...

JenRN03 · May 13, 2008

about 20k, now, and i'm still in transistion.... but mortagage payments, 3 kids and a drop to 1 income... well and we didnt qualify for financial aid.. so loans were the only way for me... yes.. i'll probably owe forever! but at least i'll be happy!

HeartsOpenWide, RN · May 13, 2008

No debt. Umm...tuition is about $2,000 per semester, books about $300-500 per semester (depending on # and if there are used ones or not), my rent is $600/month (no utilities included) water bill is about $50/month, electric is never over $13.00/month (yes thirteen dollars), phone is $120 (two cell phones), Internet is about $40 (a must for a college student), gas for regular unleaded is $4.10 and I drive 30 miles to school (60 total/day) four times a week. There is a $20 additional fee for clinical (we do have to pay regular tuition for it too).

Its hard to judge how much you will pay if you are comparing to other people....tution is different depending on your state, UC, State college, JC....cost of living is obviously different everywhere.....you kinda have to figure this stuff out on your own according to your school and area you live in. I do not think asking people what they spend is going to get you in the ballpark much