International Student: Financial help for work commitment?

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Specializes in ICU, Surgical Services.

Hello people. I've been following these threads for quite a while, even before I started Nursing school, and I must say y'all are awesome. Thanks for all the tips and help offered on here.

I have a 'situation' that is causing me quite a bit of heart ache.

I am an international student, and just started an ADN nursing program in Texas. Nursing school is a lot of work and I'm enjoying all my classes BUT my financial situation is a major distraction that seems to be zapping all the 'fun' out of nursing school. Because of my immigration status, I cannot work off-campus, and even if I could, the program is so intense that students are adviced not to work. I still manage about 10hrs a week at my job but even that is being threatened now cos we have classes, pre-clinicals, and clinicals spread all over the week, that it's almost impossible to keep a job.

Are there any organizations that would be willing to offer me a loan (I have no cosigner) if I commit to work a number of years with them after graduation? I'm at my wit's end. HELP!!!

Thanks in advance for your responses and God bless!

PS: I should add that my lack of a US cosigner also precludes me from qualifying for regular education loans. :(

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Specializes in ICU, Surgical Services.

Hmmm, no responses :o Does that mean there's nobody with any advice for me? And nobody who's been through a similar situation?

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Right now it is going to be quite difficult for you to get sponsored as you call it by an employer as an International student. Not sure how far along that you are in your program, but there is no guarantee after you finish your schooling that you will be able to remain in the US after your OPT expires, assuming that you qualify for one.

Not knowing if you will be able to get a visa that will permit you to work past that one year, it is going to be quite difficult for a facility to want to pay for your schooling. If you will be unable to work for them legally, and a big chance of that, they are not going to want to help.

I also took the liberty of moving this to the International Forum since it deals with foreign issues specifically.

There is a retrogression in place and there are not any I-485 petitions being accepted and we do not know when that will open up. Attending school in the US no longer makes it easier for one to stay here after and work, especially in nursing.

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I thought that international students had to demonstrate that they are able to pay for their education and living expenses in order to get permission to come here to study?

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They do have to prove it. And a student is permitted to work only maximum of 20 hours per week while in school, and be able to maintain their grades satisfactorily while in school. And only under certain requirements and it does require approval to do this, not all meet the requirements to be able to work, it is not an automatic thing that is done for all.

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Scrubs911, I totally sympathize with you. I am an british student and I came to the US 2 years ago to start my nurses training. I originally came with my husband (who was a no good man) anyway to cut a long story short we separated, he went back to England and I had a small amount of money. I wanted to stay to pursue my career, I am now with an amazing American guy (who I love dearly) who helps support me, but I am in the same boat as you, I can only work on campus and there are currently no jobs. I started off with enough money, but my circumstances changed so drastically. I really feel for you, but I'm sure you can find a way. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in ICU, Surgical Services.

OMG!!!! I had no clue my thread was moved, didn't even know I got responses. Thanks people. Now to answer some questions:

Yorkshiresrose: thanks for sharing about your situation. I'm positive we're going to pull through and make it in the end. I hope all goes well with your new relationship :redbeathe

elkpark: Yes immigration requires students to prove that they can pay for school when they come here but circumstances do change after a student gets here, y'all know how life is. Like Yorkshiresrose's situation one really can't predict how things are going to turn out. And sometimes what may seem like a MAJOR change in one's situation may not appear that way to the authorities. But he that wear the shoe knows where it pinches... or something like that :)

Suzanne4: Thanks so much for your response. I see your point and yeah I can understand why employers would be reluctant.

Thank you so much for the responses people. i appreciate your time! :)

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