How did/do you pay for nursing school?

Published

  1. How did you pay for nursing school?

    • 145
      Student loans
    • 73
      Scholarships
    • 83
      Grants
    • 9
      VA loans
    • 93
      Work through school
    • 49
      Other

225 members have participated

    Joe V
    Editorial Team / Admin

    Joe V

    7 Articles; 2,555 Posts

Specializes in Programming / Strategist for allnurses.

nursing-student-scholarship.gif.95fbba41fca7409309a75ec77bee61c8.gif

Nursing school is expensive. Many people have used student loans, scholarships, VA loans, grants, and even worked through school to pay for their education. The main reason for this thread is to provide information for people who can't afford the rising costs of nursing school. Many people aren't aware of the resources that are available. You don't have to give specifics but it would be great to see how people are paying for school. Please share how you paid for nursing school. Give any links or resources that you may have. Click Like if you enjoyed it. Please share this with friends and post your comments below!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

Yes! Nursing school is super expensive! I went through a private school, BSN program so cost was about 40K a year. I worked throughout nursing school and during preqs minus one semester. Lots of scholarships and financial aid! I was apart of the nursing scholarship program w/ HRSA.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

I guess I'm an anomaly -- my parents paid.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
sharpeimom said:
I guess I'm an anomaly -- my parents paid.

Do they want to adopt? :geek:

Loans and savings...I'm investing in myself so I can replenish my savings once I get a job.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do receive a Pell Grant (not a full one but it helps). But it is the scholarships and additional grants that are the bulk of my financial aid. Here are some tips to get additional financial aid.

1) Make sure that you have your FAFSA filled out as early as possible. Most colleges/ universities have funds that are available and awarded as they receive qualified FAFSA's. Once those funds run out.... they are gone. I received 3 grants that way.

2) Apply for scholarships! Do not assume that you do not qualify for one. There are many factors that are taken into account. Some are strictly need based and others depend on GPA, ethnicity, background, with kids, married, older students and even whether you were a stay at home mom. Also, most schools have a foundation that has many scholarships. Those are great because it is normally one application for many scholarships.

3) Go talk to Financial Aid. They know if there is anything else that you can do to get additional financial aid.

I have been fortunate to receive grants and scholarships that have covered all of my schooling. Some in part to my financial situation but mostly from having a great GPA. Just remember that if you do not apply for scholarships.... you will never get one.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac, ICU, education.

I worked full-time nights 11-7 and went to school during the day - sometimes till 4pm if necessary. Slept on nights off or weekends. Guess I'm old school but I don't owe anybody anything which I love.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.
msn10 said:
I worked full-time nights 11-7 and went to school during the day - sometimes till 4pm if necessary. Slept on nights off or weekends. Guess I'm old school but I don't owe anybody anything which I love.

gosh! you are my idol!!!!:)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

loans baby.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Loans! Due to my parents income I was not able to get any financial aid. Which is crazy because I was 19, living on my own, and supporting myself but oh well it's worth it.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

Became an LPN. Worked my way thru ADN. WOrked my way thru BSN. No loans, no scholarships. Took 7 yrs after LPN to get RN. Another 7 yrs to get BSN.

LPN at 21. ADN at 27. BSN at 34.

BUT NO DEBT!

Now will work my way thru grad school...

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.
msn10 said:
I worked full-time nights 11-7 and went to school during the day - sometimes till 4pm if necessary. Slept on nights off or weekends. Guess I'm old school but I don't owe anybody anything which I love.

goodness, didnt u feel like a zombie in school? when did you study?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

LVN program (2005): Completely financed with a private Sallie Mae career training loan.

RN completion program (2010): Financed partially with Stafford government student loans. I was also working full-time as an LVN in a nursing home while attending school, so I made cash payments of $500 per month to the school to minimize the borrowing of federal student loan funds.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment