How will I afford nursing school?

[LatinoHealthNut]

I'll be applying to nursing programs soon but I'm really worried about cost. I'm in my 30s and on my own so I'm concerned about being able to afford school full-time.

1. I had a couple foreclosures a few years back so my credit score is probably crap (haven't even checked it in years). Will this be detrimental to getting financial aid and/or decent interest rates for personal loans?

2. Where should I begin searching for scholarships? I'm Latino so I can apply specifically to those targeting minority students in health fields.

3. Am I eligible for grants if I worked full-time all of last year?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Mandy0728]

Your credit won't effect stafford loans...those aren't based on credit, however private loans are so you have to have decent credit. As far as working full time all year, that has some effect on grants, but it just depends on how much you made total & what your EFC is on the FAFSA.

[bravera]

Hey there, I'm sure this varies by state, but like the above poster mentioned, credit will not affect Stafford Loans. I also worked full time last year and received a Pell grant after my FAFSA was reviewed. Your school likely has a scholarship search engine that you can use to find applicable scholarships. I know in high school we were told to use fastweb.com, and a few people I know earned scholarships through that site as well.

[amberdawn85]

I am in school on grants and loans. My husband makes decent money( he's an officer) and we still qualified for them

[Queen Tiye, CNA]

1) You can apply for grants at Fafsa.ed.gov, they'll let you know within 24hrs if you qualify.

2) Try working part-time, a job you can read on would be great.

3) Apply for scholarships. I know nothing about this.

4) Loans if absolutely necessary, last resort.

5) Speak to financial aide advisor.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

I feel your pain, I am a late in life career changer at 49, own a beautiful home, and my income according to FAFSA doesn't qualify me for grants. Unfortunately FAFSA doesn't take into account your expenses like your mortgage. I almost lost my house a couple times because tuition came first. I can always buy another house some day! A house is brick and mortar and can be replaced, it doesn't hold your memories (your heart does) and it doesn't hold your future. Now I am in the RN program, starting in the Fall, and if I have to let the house go to pay tuition, so be it. My school doesn't participate in loan programs.

[Serendipity27]

Hello, I was a finance adviser at a college for 8 years... apply for financial aid.. it is a combination of loans and grants. Grants are need based so not everyone is awarded them... however, the loans are not credit based! This means that it doesn't mean how bad your credit score is! Good luck!