don't know what to do anymore...

mamaxmaria · Jan 11, 2012

I'm so sorry your in this situation, it's actually feels similar to mine. Have you ever been a ward of the state or in foster care? If so you are automatically declared independent. You can also try talking to your financial aid officer at your school. They can declare you independent under certain circumstances.

As far as your living situation goes, I would try to get any job you can to get out. I worked as a waitress and made enough money to get away from my house and rent a room. Also, there are always people looking for room mates so thats an option.

I'm working my way up the ladder, I went for medical assistant, got a job as a s secretary in a hospital, then moved up to Patient Care Technician, and now I'm working towards my BSN. It is possible, I had no assistance besides a few hundred in financial aid. I pay everything out of pocket and putting off student loans until I start BSN in the fall. (I'm taking the pre reqs at community college). I came from a very hostile home environment. Both my parents have their struggles with addiction which caused them to be cruel and violent. this is no environment for someone trying to gain a proper education.

You can try for unemployment, I'm not really sure how it works but If you are on government assistance you get will probably get a large pell grant. And keep applying for the programs regardless of weather you think you will be accepted or not. I know getting in and going to school is tough especially when you are doing it all on your own with one to assist you, but it is possible just keep your thoughts on what you want to accomplish and you will push yourself threw I promise!

CNA1991, CNA · Jan 11, 2012

Thank for you for your advice. I have never been either of those and I think I might be too old now seeings how I am 20. I did get financial aide once, but it was a mistake because I somehow accidentally put that I was in the vietnam war and no one in the financial aide office realized the mistake until 5 months later. I went to the financial aid office and the lady I talked to was extremely rude and unhelpful. She was the only one working that day and she because yelled at me and said there was no way I could recieve financial aid until I was 24, even if I was moved out. I tried to ask questions and get some insight but she didn't even offer insight. It's almost like she was blaming me for the mistake I had made and was trying to act like I was liar just because I misclicked one of the bubbles. It was an accident and I am pretty sure that if I was going to lie about something so serious I would atleast make it believable and not something that happened over 20 years before I was even born. Well, I just read another article online saying that if you are married you also qualify for independance. I am engaged now (we are both students and can't afford to move out yet) so maybe I can get a civil union before we actually have a wedding for the benefits. Technically,if I can find work at a hospital or facility I will most likely have health insurance benefits that I can give to him because his job now lacks them and our status of being married will benefit me in the way that I can finally realize my dream of becoming a nurse and have help to do so. Thank you so much for trying to help me. I find it hard to get answers on this site sometimes and I am just a little confused. Thank you

SarahNV82 · Jan 12, 2012

Have you tried looking into other school in your area? There may be private schools that offer nursing degrees ie: Kaplan, National, Concord etc

CNA1991, CNA · Jan 12, 2012

Have you tried looking into other school in your area? There may be private schools that offer nursing degrees ie: Kaplan, National, Concord etc

The problem with private schools is affordability. The only way I could afford them is if I was married.

NoShEDiDnT_RN_, ASN · Jan 27, 2012

I can tell about the unemployment paying for school...I am currently attending Kaplan college for Patient Care techinican and unemployment help me pay for 1/2 of it......You would need to go to a one-stop career center...attend the orientation....fill out paper work that they ask for...they well then set up a appointment with you to meet the eligbilty team....from there you become assigned to a career advisor that well assist you getting a grant called WIA..(workforce Investment Act) that grant is 5550. They well then ask to go to 2 different school and meet with admissions. You than pick the school enroll and you are done...All of this takes about 2 weeks. I am basically going to school for free....financial aid covered the rest of the money....and most programs are discounted if you have the WIA grant...hope that helped with the unemployment...Wish you luck in whatever you decided to do....Just think positive

:hug:

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

Visit your schools reentry/retention program they should be able to help you procure financial aid for tuition, books, and supplies throughout your time at the school. Their goal is to keep students in school in order to improve the schools graduation rate. Visit them first and see what help they offer you...do your parents make too much money? BTW if your parents kick you out find a friend to stay with and bring proof to your fin aid office and they will waive your dependency status so you can get financial aid. Also why not just get married so that you can claim yourself as independent?

Griffin123 · Jan 28, 2012

Hi CNA1991. I wanted to say I'm very sorry to hear about your current situation and I hope you hang in there. There IS light at the end of the tunnel (and it's not a train). I wanted to offer a couple points of advice:

1) It is never good to make grand generalizations about people. However, I'm going to do it anyway. I have been to my fair share of schools across 4 different states. There are two commonalities in every state I've been to. First, DMV's suck in every state. Second, the vast majority of people I have run into in the school's financial aid office are about as useful as a bag full of hammers. This is not a nice thing to say, but that doesn't make it any less true. Trying to get meaningful help from any financial aid office is kind of like being Forrest Gump trying to get a seat on the bus. However, be persistent. To my knowledge even if your parents can (and do) claim you as a dependent on their tax returns the Federal Government will still pay for your tuition. (they did for me, even when my parents (who are very well off) claimed me) You may not get anything else (like spending money leftover for rent, utilities, etc.) but they will pay for the course load itself. Ignore all that stuff about having to be 24. That doesn't preclude you from getting funds to pay for the books and classes. It simply helps determine how much they give you *in addition* to your books and class money. You will need to submit an updated FAFSA at Home - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid (my advice would be to do this after you do your taxes). About 3 weeks after your updated FAFSA has been submitted return to the financial aid office (or call them) and ask them if you're all clear. They'll be far less busy if you do this at a time when it's not two weeks before the start of classes.

2) Loans are not the only way.

a) Just about every school will have some kind of work-study deal. You work for them, they pay for your classes. They don't actually pay you but they do pay for your tuition. From the folks I know that have done this they inform me it's usually a nice cushy job where they don't actually care too much if you whip out a text book and study on the clock (so long as your other responsibilities are done).

b) Many jobs across many industries will pay for your school if you front the money. They will reimburse you after you pass the class. This may require you to take a tax return and spend it on tuition. You can recycle the money each semester. I actually did this with a company I used to work for. Ideally, try to find a company that will do tuition reimbursement without a lot of strings attached. (some companies will only pay if it's job related or if you agree to work for them for a few years) Believe it or not there ARE some companies that will do this with no strings attached.

3) Double check everything anyone tells you about your school. A couple things you said made me raise an eyebrow. For the record, (much to my dismay) I have been to 4 different junior colleges and one university (I lived with my father who was in the military when I started my first college class at 16) and I've YET to see a "wait list" for prerequisite classes of any kind. The trick is to sign up the very moment enrollment opens up. Don't wait till add/drop. Don't wait till 4 days after enrollment opened. If enrollment opens up on 5/18 (just picking a random date) then you need to be sitting at your computer at 11:59 pm on 5/17 ready to sign up. There's a couple of benefits to doing this. You will get the actual classes you need AND you'll be able to be picky about the teachers you get. (Always check your potential instructor at ratemyprofessor.com before signing up for any course) And even on the very very very slim chance that your community has thousands of people who want to take the exact same classes you do, check out other junior college's online classes. Math, English, Psychology and a Humanities elective are often prerequisites for a nursing program. Incidentally, many junior colleges (and universities) offer these online. Your Anatomy/Physiology I and II and any other science class will likely have to be taken in person.

4) If everything in your life turns upside down, consider the military. The military can be a great way to serve your country, buy some time till you figure things out in life AND a be a great way to fund your college.

I hope this advice serves you well in your future. I truly hope you stick to your goal no matter what setbacks you are dealt.

P.S. That Vietnam thing cracked me up! For some reason it made me picture Arnold Scwartzenegger screaming, "Get to ze choppa!!" You may be too young to remember this movie. See

Nurse2b7337 · Jan 28, 2012

Hello to you and May God be with you. I had a friend who was attending a community college and the college offered no loans or grants. She had to pay out of pocket for classes. I suggested she change schools and she now attends mine and is happier than ever. I said this to say when one door closes God always opens another one. May e the school you're applying to isn't the one for you. Explore your options and see what happens. Take a step of faith and never let your dream due. If God gave you a vision of becoming a nurse it's his job to provide the provision to see it through!! :-) God bless you and don't give up!!

sapphire18 · Jan 28, 2012

@Griffin- why would the fed gov pay for your tuition if your parents are "very well off"?? Im confused:(

@OP- good luck to you and stay safe. hugs.

Griffin123 · Jan 28, 2012

It is counter-intuitive but there are a number of reasons:

1) They can't assume that just because your parents have a high income they also have *disposable* income. Ever seen rich movie stars go broke? Happens all the time. Sometimes people just get in over their head.

2) They can't just assume that your parents are also willing to give you some of that income. It is quite common (especially in our country) for folks to give their kids the boot after the age of 18. The Government doesn't have the time or willpower to investigate each of the millions of people they give financial aid to every year to prove that parents can and will give their kids money.

3) Remember for the most part they are not giving you money. They're loaning it to you. they're just not making much (if any profit) back on it.

4) It benefits the government to have a well educated population. We as individuals will make more money and they being the blood sucking banshees will take it away from us.

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

First things first. Get out! I don't care if you have to go to a homeless shelter. Get a job, get two if you have to. You are talking about your life here.

Stop putting your life in the hands of someone who is beating you up.

Then get your CNA certificate. Sure the pay is not the best but you can make it. When you do that, and work for a while perhaps you can get your employer to pay part of your tuition.

God bless you.