How do you pay for school?

[mmh2]

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!

[tbjscheer]

I use sallie mae tuition pay... and make monthly installments.

[Sand_Dollar, BSN]

I haven't started yet, but it will be student loans and scholarships for me. I don't qualify for any grants.

[LuckyinKY]

I am so relieved to hear from those who worked full time while going to nursing program. I already have $50,000 in student loan debt from my original BS degree. I work in research for a university now which luckily will pay for 6 credits a semester for any state school including community colleges. I will be working full time since I need the money and the tuition assistance, I also have 2 kids. Luckily my job is super flexible and allows me to study while I work, so far I think I study more because I have nothing better to do while working. My primary job is performing surgery on rats and collecting samples over a 4 hour period, so that leaves me alot of study time. Plus I can work whenever I want.

[ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN]

took out student loans and a little bit of pell grants.

[cmonkey]

Last, I plan to use a 401k loan to pay for living expenses. The only school I am applying to (and solely for this reason) has a 80% tuition forgiveness loan thing if you work FT for the hospital system after graduating. Consider using your 401k. Not ideal, I know (so please no lectures about this LOL), but if this is your dream as it is mine, we have to use all resources available! Best wishes! Let me know how things turn out. I love to hear about people in the same boat as me.

I was totally with you on your plan until you got to the 401(k) part. You know that you'll have a penalty AND taxes at your tax rate, right? So you could be losing 50% of the money in that account? Could the student loans cover child care and living expenses?

I know, I know, but I'm a natural-born nag.

also: editing fail.