I'm In! But Can I Afford It?!?

Purple1122 · Dec 6, 2011

I'm not sure if your school does this, but the our school library generally has the books to check out for a couple of hours a day. I think I remember reading some students doing that instead of buying the books. I'm going to check with my professors to see if they will allow me to use an edition previous to the one that they are asking for us to get.

As for other finances I also remember seeing a whole list of scholarship grants (not loans) for nursing. You can check with your school to see which ones they offer. I saw one for single mothers, low income, leadership involvement ones, volunteering ones, etc... you should look that info up!

And yes you will be able to afford it... where there's a will there's a way! Good luck! And congrats on your acceptance!

Eagle2110, ASN, BSN, APRN · Dec 8, 2011

You're not alone! I'm praying and pondering as well. However, I am keeping my job because I have bills AND will have to find a daycare for my child. Just like you, I've been fortunate enough to keep her at home until now. Do you have a WIN job center in your city? It funds certain programs at accredited schools. But the deadlines are rolling up so you may want to check on it asap. If you dont mind me asking, what kind of work do you do from home? I've been wanting an at home job since I was pregnant but can't find anything legit.

leenak · Dec 8, 2011

Why aren't loans an option? When I did my first undergrad degree, I took out about $11k in loans which provided me the ability to get my degree and was paid off after.

For my nursing degree, I've been saving money and plan to self-finance it.

RKpianoman, APRN · Dec 8, 2011

Some states and hospitals have work-repayment programs. They pay for your degree, you commit to work for them for X years after you graduate or repay the money.

zoemorg · Dec 8, 2011

I am looking at every option that is available and checking into any and all scholarships and grants. Loans aren't an option because of a bankruptcy. Before my daughter was born I was in the hospital for a little over a month and then she was born prematurely and had to spend two months in the hospital. We ended up with thousands of dollars of medical bills, as well as a ton of other bills due to this. So, unfortunately, I can't apply for loans. . .even though they would be able to be paid back after I graduated.

Right now I work from home. I have an in-home daycare. However, that obviously won't work while I am in nursing school since I won't be here everyday and will need some time to study. If I need to, I will definitely get a part time job, but I am trying to avoid that if at all possible. Luckily my husband does have a good job that pays well, but not enough to afford this school.

I was accepted into LMU, which is a private college and VERY expensive. I'm afraid to pass up this spot though because there is no guarantee that I will get in somewhere else. I might, but no guarantee. If this were a community college or public college then I wouldn't have a problem.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2011

Student loans through FAFSA are NOT credit based.. your bankruptcy should have no baring on your receiving government subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Talk to a financial aid adviser immediately.

zoemorg · Dec 8, 2011

Right, I do qualify for the loans, but if we accept a loan, then we will have the bankruptcy dismissed and be hit with all of those bills. It is the bankruptcy court/trustee that does not allow us to accept loans while we are in the bankruptcy.

Does that make sense?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 8, 2011

It seems like you painted yourself into a financial corner by pursuing admission to a school that is not affordable based on your circumstances. Doesn't appear to be do-able. After having to begin digging out of one financial hole through bankruptcy, you certainly don't want to start on something that would only dig you in deeper. You may need to re-think your plan and focus on a more realistic and lower cost option. If you made the grade with one school, you have a really good chance of gaining admission to another one even if it does take a while longer.

leenak · Dec 8, 2011

Will the school let you defer your admission? Another option is to try to save up money for the tuition. You can cut a lot of expenses in a year.

x_factor · Dec 8, 2011

I'd aim for a school with a lower tuition cost.

I am getting my LPN first, and doing so by attending a local technical college. The entire program (18 months) is only $3500, and it's being covered in full by a grant. Then, once I graduate and work for a year, I plan on attending a local community college that offers an LPN-RN bridge, which is around $4000 for the entire program.

In the end, that's only around $7500 total for tuition in order for me to obtain my RN degree.

In comparison, the state University here is $8,000 a year for an in-state student. At 4 years for my RN, that's $32,000. No thanks!

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2011

If funding is a problem and having a prior bankruptcy, WHY WHY WHY are you wanting to go to an expensive, private school? Go to a community college or public state university even if you have to wait- don't set yourself up for failure with your finances.