looking for the silver lining

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2005

Do you have to have that $3500 up front? How much will you spend taking ceramics, etc?

..just wondering....

Other than that, never give up, and good luck to you! :)

Wow, do I feel stupid...
I had been taking my pre-reqs at community college (with a 2 year waitlist for their ADN program). I was accepted into a private college for the BSN program after months of admission hassles, and was planning on starting clinicals in 2006.
I called last week and asked when they were sending my financial aid info, I still hadn't heard anything. They gave me some excuse and mailed it the next day.
I can't afford to go. There was nearly a $3500 difference between the aid and the expenses. I called the school and the only response I got was "try an alternative bank loan" (out of the question) I had always been a single mom, so financial aid wasn't a problem, but now I am married, so that's why I am shocked, I guess I assumed Stafford loans would cover it all.
Like a fool, I didn't get myself on the ADN waitlist, because I was so sure the BSN was a sure thing, so now I just that much futher down.
So, here is the silver lining, I have only 7 classes to take in the next 2 or so years before I can start clinicals at the Community College, so I guess I will have plenty of time to take French and Ceramics and all the other classes I wished I had time to take! This actually is working out better for our family financial situation, work schedules, etc. so I'm trying really hard not to be too dissapointed.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 2, 2005

Wow, do I feel stupid...
I had been taking my pre-reqs at community college (with a 2 year waitlist for their ADN program). I was accepted into a private college for the BSN program after months of admission hassles, and was planning on starting clinicals in 2006.
I called last week and asked when they were sending my financial aid info, I still hadn't heard anything. They gave me some excuse and mailed it the next day.
I can't afford to go. There was nearly a $3500 difference between the aid and the expenses. I called the school and the only response I got was "try an alternative bank loan" (out of the question) I had always been a single mom, so financial aid wasn't a problem, but now I am married, so that's why I am shocked, I guess I assumed Stafford loans would cover it all.
Like a fool, I didn't get myself on the ADN waitlist, because I was so sure the BSN was a sure thing, so now I just that much futher down.
So, here is the silver lining, I have only 7 classes to take in the next 2 or so years before I can start clinicals at the Community College, so I guess I will have plenty of time to take French and Ceramics and all the other classes I wished I had time to take! This actually is working out better for our family financial situation, work schedules, etc. so I'm trying really hard not to be too dissapointed.

So sorry for the way things turned out, but, like you said, maybe this will turn out to be a good thing.

And, I was wondering, too.....if you take other courses that are not needed for your degree, will you be spending money that could be used for the program now? Also, I too, agree with the poster who said do you have to pay for it all at once??

Good luck.

Siri

marcieg · Aug 2, 2005

The difference is the tuition costs between the community college and the private college- 340.00 a credit hour (jumping to 381.00 when nursing classes begin) vs. 67.00. I can take 5 credits at the CC for every one at the other college. I was awarded a Stafford Loan at both locations, but the community college amount will go a lot further.

I didn't mean I was going to do nothing but take fun classes from now until then, but my schedule is certainly more free to take something interesting worth 2 credits here and there.

We can't afford to take on any more monthly payments right now, so the 3500 is out of the question, period, that would be for every year, a little more when the nursing classes were to have started. The Stafford doesn't get paid back until graduation.

I just feel foolish that I didn't realize they would cut so much out of my aid when I got married. I certainly didn't expect Pell Grants anymore, but I never thought that we couldn't cover it with Stafford Loans. I am also kicking myself for not getting on the community college waitlist, but I didn't want to take up someone elses slot.

SusanJean · Aug 2, 2005

The difference is the tuition costs between the community college and the private college- 340.00 a credit hour (jumping to 381.00 when nursing classes begin) vs. 67.00. I can take 5 credits at the CC for every one at the other college. I was awarded a Stafford Loan at both locations, but the community college amount will go a lot further.
I didn't mean I was going to do nothing but take fun classes from now until then, but my schedule is certainly more free to take something interesting worth 2 credits here and there.
We can't afford to take on any more monthly payments right now, so the 3500 is out of the question, period, that would be for every year, a little more when the nursing classes were to have started. The Stafford doesn't get paid back until graduation.
I just feel foolish that I didn't realize they would cut so much out of my aid when I got married. I certainly didn't expect Pell Grants anymore, but I never thought that we couldn't cover it with Stafford Loans. I am also kicking myself for not getting on the community college waitlist, but I didn't want to take up someone elses slot.

Have you called the financial aid office to ask them for more help? There may be other funds available that you are not aware of -- but you need to let them know. Just curious.

SJ

housecat717 · Aug 2, 2005

Citibank has a citiassist loan for education. The payments are deferred until after graduation. You have to make at least 15,000.00 a year to qualify. Your husband can co-sign.

Other banks have alternative loans as well, like sallie mae, but I am not familiar with those.

Maybe you should look into that? You won't have an extra monthly payment until you are working as a nurse!

tammy777 · Aug 2, 2005

You know the same thing kind of happened to me. I have been going to a private college for the last year taking my pre-reqs and was accepted in their BSN program (I start nursing classes along with finishing my pre-reqs as a sophmore, fall 05). I am also married, and I have 3 kids, and decided to go to school to be a nurse... Anyway, for my first year I got all of my schooling fees covered with grants/scholarships and loans and had left over money to help pay for books and rent... Well this year I got my financial aid award letter and was told I would owe about $2300 for the year... so needless to say I would also have to pay for my rent and books... I freaked out a bit, but went to financial aid and told them I could not afford it... the first girl said she could give an additional school loan (which would help with the school fees), but I would still have to pay for my books and rent out of pocket... I then went to talk to her supervisor and took a budget I had created and proof of my income and the supervisor agreed to give me a $2000 grant from the college to pay for expenses... Most, if not all, private colleges give their own grants, so you may want to think about going back to their financial aid dept and speak to someone who has the authority to help you or give you more... Because if you think about it, in 2 years you could be just starting an ADN program or you could be graduated with a BS degree and working as an RN... that's kind of how I looked at it anyway... I hope it works out for you!!!!