How do you pay for school?

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Specializes in Interested in hospice & palliative care.

I am curious about how people finance their educations. I feel a little uncomfortable asking such a personal question but...how do you all do it? I have 2 kids and work full time. My husband also works but his salary is not enough for me to quit work (or even really cut back) and go to school. I plan on starting pre reqs in the summer and can probably save for one class at a time while still feeding/clothing the kids and keeping the utilities on. BUT ...if I do them all that way it will take a long time! I know when/if I get into the program I will need to take out a loan to pay for school/life. I am almost 37 and would like to expidite the process. I know the kind folks at the local cc should be able to answer some of my questions, but I wanted to put it out there to all of you because you have all been so great! Is there such a thing as fin aid for part time students whose hubbies don't make the big bucks? Any suggestions would be appreciated!:o

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I got a student loan for the past 3 semesters or 2 I can't remember. I couldn't afford it either.

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Specializes in Interested in hospice & palliative care.

Thanks R.S! Are you doing pre reqs or in the program? And if you are doing pre reqs are you full or pt time?

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I had student loans for the first year, then quit work (with a small private student loan to live on) during the second year. The second year I started getting Pell grants. For years 3 - 5 (BS program) I have Pell grants and scholarships that cover more than 90% of my expenses.

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Specializes in Interested in hospice & palliative care.

Curious me, thanks for the info. I wonder if I can get student loans to do pre reqs so I can take more than 1 a semester and cut back at work a bit. I am a dental assistant so I have minimal flexibility since I am a "full timer". UGH. Did you get the scholarships to use for the program? I told my boss today that I didn't want to "suction" anymore. He rightfully gave me a puzzled look. Was a trying day. Tahnks for the help- can't believe how many nice, helpful people I've "met". I really need the support!

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I worked full time, went to school part time mostly, except last 2 semsters I had to go full time (12 credits). I worked full time and went to school full time. Between school and work some weeks I was doing 65 hrs . I did my LPN program in 21 months (If you went full time its 18 months). I maintained a 3.5 GPA through out the program. by the grace of god I somehow found time to study. A typical day for me would be Clinicals from 7-3 and then to work 4-8, then study/home work and I would do that M-W, then Thur and friday I would work 10-8pm and then 8 hrs on both sat and sun to make up my hrs. I was very fortunate to find a small company office job that worked around my sched they paid pretty decent too. I worked full time b/c I had a mortgage and everything that comes along with it. I pay as I go so that I dont have any student loans. My husband also works full time and goes to school and he pays as he goes. We do not have children so that is one less thing to worry about. Basically if tuition was 1500$ (3 classes) for the term my school lets you put down 300$ at the beginning of the semster then it just needs to be paid by the end of the semester or they charge you a late fee of 50$ which isnt too bad. While working full time every two weeks, I would just pay a little here and there like 100$ here and 150$ there. Hope that helps.

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out of savings

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I'm a single mom and only working part-time, I am very lucky to get full financial aid. I'm in the nursing program at a community college, so the tuition is not high and the aid covers it. Although, I needed to pay for my CPR course out of pocket, since I didn't know I had to have the certification before clinicals. So I have to take it now during winter session (which finacial aid doesn't cover). I also have to buy my on stethescope, uniform AND a PDA (which is required). I'm using savings for that, hopefully I will have a little left over from my book voucher to put it back.

You should really look into applying for finacial aid anyway, you might get something, which is better than nothing! Good luck!

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You should be able to get student loans for school regardless of the fact that they are gen ed/pre-req. AFAIK, that shouldn't have any bearing. Good luck!

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Curious me, thanks for the info. I wonder if I can get student loans to do pre reqs so I can take more than 1 a semester and cut back at work a bit. I am a dental assistant so I have minimal flexibility since I am a "full timer". UGH. Did you get the scholarships to use for the program? I told my boss today that I didn't want to "suction" anymore. He rightfully gave me a puzzled look. Was a trying day. Tahnks for the help- can't believe how many nice, helpful people I've "met". I really need the support!

Prereqs are just college classes...so, sure. Just declare pre-nursing as your major. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Developmental and Peds with disabilities.

I have been going to college for 2 years and am about to start my first clinical courses (finally!!). It has been a struggle, but it will be worth it. First off, does your school offer pre-nursing? I highly recommend this certification course. You can get almost all your non-clinicals and prereqs out of the way while the course work helps you to decide if nursing is for you. Also, since you would not technically be in a nursing program, you would not have to adhere to the strict grading policym so a 79 on a test is a c instead of an f. I have a 2 year old and started school when she was four months old, so I understand your time and funds are limited. As for working full time, you can go ahead and ditch that plan when you start clinicals. Most employers are very understanding about pursuing your educational goals and some will even help to pay for it. If your employer is not sympathetic and willing to work with you, you will be faced with a difficult decision, so choose wisely. Several hospitals also offer tuition assistance in return for employment. I have lived off of pell grants and student loans. The average student ends up owning about $30,000, but you will be making more than enough to pay that back when you finish. I am up to 9,000 in loans, not that bad for two years of school though. Several schools offer numerous scholarships ranging from only a few hundred dollars to covering nearly all of your expenses and a lot of times the application is only a well written essay. Your best bet is to make an appointment with a student financial services advisor and maybe even a counseler in the department of your school that offers information on scholarship and school to work programs, then complete the online fafsa after recieving the advisor's advice. There are more options than ever to help pay for school, and with the president's plans to raise tution assistance it will get even better. Trust me, it is possible. I live with my fiancee and work only 12 hours a week, so I am technically considered a low income family due to the fact I am considered a single mother (my fiancee's income doesn't count since we are not legally married). Depending on the combined amount you and your spouse make versus your living expenses (not to include non neccessary expenses like cell phone bills and cable tv) you may fall into this category, which means you will get more assistance. It sounds kind of louSY, but the less money you make, the more it will help you. I hope this has helped you, but remember, don't fret. More is possible today than ever before when you decide to pursue your educational goals, and with the right information and a little good advice you can acheive your ambitions. Good luck, hope I was able to help!

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Thanks R.S! Are you doing pre reqs or in the program? And if you are doing pre reqs are you full or pt time?

I'm in my 3rd semester of my bsn degree.

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