don't know what to do anymore...

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I saw nursing as a way out of the house quickly but my community college is so full I wasn't even able to take any prereqs until I was 2 years in (now). I am in an abusive household where I get beat up everyday. I wanted to apply to the sf lpn program this year but from what I read, they never accept people the first application around. The only other schools in my area are vocational schools that I can't not only not afford, but can't get financial aid for. And I won't be able to get financial aid legally until I'm 24 because there's some sort of law not seperating people financially from their parents until they're 24. Trying for scholarships is like trying to win the lottery. Loans are only availble for peoplewith credit which I don't have or people with good co-signers which I also don't have. The only thing I have that will do me any good is my car,my phone and the college credits which I have earned. My whole life has basically been a catch 22 and I am just tired of,being stuck. There's nothing else I want to do besides nursing. The last glimmer of hope I had is the article I read yesterday saying that sometimes unemployment can help with job training assistant fees so I am going to ask them for help. I guess the point to this rant is to ask how people not only survived but got out of their situation like mine and went on to become a nurse and how did you do it? Thanks And god bless

Specializes in none.

You say that you get beat up all most or everyday. If you have wounds it's Police time. If in your State you are still considered a minor it's youth and family services. Get out of that house. After that you can start to recover.

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Specializes in ICU.

Griffin- ok I gotcha when you said *pay* it didn't sound like you meant *loan*. :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics/home health care.

Thanks, I now have a way to make the program more affordable.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/home health care.
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?
Actually, that is incorrect. there have been times when I have moved out and have tried to claim to dependacy and they keep telling me "you cant until your 24, we cant help you". When I say I dont qualify for financial aid under.any circumstances I really dont.
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Specializes in Geriatrics/home health care.

Actually, thats incorrect. I have moved out before and talked to financial aid and they always say the same.thing "unless your 24, we cant help you, moved out or not". You cant claim dependency even if you were moved out. The only circumstance under law for me to get it would be to get married.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/home health care.
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.
I am a cna already, just not full time. Since this post, I have been moving between friends until I can figure something out.
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Specializes in Geriatrics/home health care.
You say that you get beat up all most or everyday. If you have wounds it's Police time. If in your State you are still considered a minor it's youth and family services. Get out of that house. After that you can start to recover.
The problem is, the abuser is the mortgage maker and if hes gone so is the house. The rest.of my family will actually lie for him and say I did it to myself.to keep the house. I have pictures but it doesnt matter when I have no one to vow for me.
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Specializes in Geriatrics/home health care.
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.
yes, you hit the nail right on the head. People keep telling me to get fasa but I cant and you illustrated perfectly why. Yes, I have pretty much tried more then mentioned here and none of it worked.
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Specializes in Public Health.

what i meant is dont just up and move out....if they KICK you out and you are living in an unstable living situation then you can go to the head of financial aid with PROOF that you are homeless and they will waive it...visit the fafsa website to learn more about it....also one thing you will learn is financial aid officers are NOTORIOUS for giving out wrong info. my information comes from fafsa's website so call them for help. also the retention program IS there for students like you so please get the help you need and try not to be too jaded by the system.

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Specializes in Public Health.

oh and btw i get the pell grant $5,600/year and my parents make $120000/year plus what i make. no i dont live at home nor do i receive their help. that pays for my tuition, books, and supplies. And my close friend in the nursing program with me got everything paid for through the retention center...down to her steth and bp cuff.

ps theres a question on the fafsa that asks if you are homeless or at risk for being so to determine whether you are considered an independent

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yes, you hit the nail right on the head. People keep telling me to get fasa but I cant and you illustrated perfectly why. Yes, I have pretty much tried more then mentioned here and none of it worked.

Please understand that I have said nothing so far to convey the message that you can't get financial aid. Despite that your parents can claim you on your tax returns you can still receive just enough money from the federal government to cover tuition and books. You just won't be getting much extra on top of that. (no crazy trips to tijuana) You have to fill out an updated FAFSA at the address I linked and coordinate with your financial aid office. Even though they're not always helpful you have to be persistent. Not having money is not a valid reason to not take as many classes as you have time to get an "A" in. You can get money. You just have to keep at it.

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Actually, that is incorrect. there have been times when I have moved out and have tried to claim to dependacy and they keep telling me "you cant until your 24, we cant help you". When I say I dont qualify for financial aid under.any circumstances I really dont.

You will most likely not be able to claim yourself as "independent" in the eyes of the Federal Government until after the 24 year mark. However, this does not exclude you from financial aid! You will still receive enough to get tuition and books. You just won't get much extra on top of that.

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