Is this realistic?

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I've been on a waiting list to start real nursing school for a year now at my community college. I still have a year before I start my nursing classes, but I've taken it upon myself to get all my ducks in order now so I'm fully prepared for the craziness that will be my life for 2 years.

I paid off all my credit card debt with the exception of a bank loan that I pay $56/month on. My monthly expenses, including gas but excluding food, are about $455/month. I live rent free and work 20 hours a week, which I plan to continue to do when I'm in nursing school.

I will not qualify for any financial aid for the 2 years I'm in nursing school (too many college credits, 2nd degree). I have someone who has agreed to pay my tuition, but I will still have to work part time in the program to pay basic bills, have gas in my car, eat, etc. But I won't have that big refund check most nursing students I know live off of so I don't have to work.

I feel in my hear that this is doable...but I'm scared. Any thoughts?

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Since you are going to a CC the costs should be doable.

No nursing students I know get a "big, fat refund check"....all the money has been used. There is usually nothing left over for us nursing students, certainly not enough to "live off of".

Good luck. I wish you the best!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

I think your plan sounds very doable. Good for you for paying off your debt! I would put back as much as possible in the next year, just in case something comes up. I know that my costs during the summer before nursing school started where a bit more then expected (shots, uniform, supplies etc...). I am in a part time evening program and work 40 hours a week so, no financial aid for me either. Good Luck, Relysh

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after tuition, books, suppies, uniforms, etc.... i have very little money coming to me when the Fin aid refunds are sent out. *maybe enough to buy groceries for my family for a week.

Good Luck! you can do it, just take it a day at a time and let your family know when you need help. Dont be afraid to ask. One day you will be taking care of them too!

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I work full time and so far it is doable. You just have to be organized and self-disciplined. It also requires you to make good use of your time and have effective time management. But, it is doable.

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wow thank you all for the feedback and encouragement. i know the refund check is not enough to live off of, but i've been kind of dependent on it in the past, and the thought of going without it when i'll probably need it the most is a little scary. but, at least my tuition will be paid for and i won't accrue any debt for those 2 years. going to have to start saving now for those books and uniform though

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

This is my second degree, I also have manymanymany credits, and I qualified for financial aid. Not a Pell grant or anything, but I was still able to get loans. My financial aid office makes me write a statement every semester about why I should still receive financial aid, and I've been approved through my last semester (next spring). I go to community college too! So double-check if you are not able to get financial aid. I definitely don't get enough to live on and still have to work, but every little bit helps.

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To the OP, I think it sounds doable and congrats for paying off your debt! I'm not wanting to hijack the thread, but it sounds like some of you said you weren't eligible for financial aid- where did you get the money? I did fill out a FAFSA when I was supposed to start nursing school last year (we moved out of state), and they said I was eligible for a very minimal amount. I personally don't have an income, but my spouse does. We also have three little kiddos and I can't catch a break anywhere! I'm just curious if you ultimately did private loans from a bank or something.

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This is my second degree, I also have manymanymany credits, and I qualified for financial aid. Not a Pell grant or anything, but I was still able to get loans. My financial aid office makes me write a statement every semester about why I should still receive financial aid, and I've been approved through my last semester (next spring). I go to community college too! So double-check if you are not able to get financial aid. I definitely don't get enough to live on and still have to work, but every little bit helps.

At my school, if you're over your credits, they automatically deny your financial aid for a year. You can appeal their decision and they will give it back o you for the year as long as you maintain a certain GPA and don' drop classes, but usually they only accept your appeal once. So I have my financial aid for this year, it's my last year of pre-req's. Then staring next year I will be depending on a family member for the money. I've come to terms with it, I hated to have to ask, but it is what i is. Congras to you about the aid though!!! Im sure you'll be done before you know it.

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To the OP, I think it sounds doable and congrats for paying off your debt! I'm not wanting to hijack the thread, but it sounds like some of you said you weren't eligible for financial aid- where did you get the money? I did fill out a FAFSA when I was supposed to start nursing school last year (we moved out of state), and they said I was eligible for a very minimal amount. I personally don't have an income, but my spouse does. We also have three little kiddos and I can't catch a break anywhere! I'm just curious if you ultimately did private loans from a bank or something.

I think you can use private loans to fill the gap if your federal aid doesn't pay everything. Just be careful, the interest rates are variable and they might not be as flexible with repayment

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