LVN's paying for school?

[rierie]

I was just wondering if there are any other LVN's that are unable to get financial aid due to already having an established career in nursing. I have been an LVN for 10+ years so I make too much to qualify for any type of federal assistance. I just can't see working full-time to pay bills while going back for my RN. I have almost completed my prereq's one at a time while working but can't see that continuing while going full-time to nursing school. I was offered a $25,000.00 loan with 21% interest. I about fell over laughing when the loan officer told me that! I could go out and get 10 credit cards with lower interest rate than that. Anyways I would love any tips or advice someone can give me on what they did. Thanks in advance for you r help. Jen

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

I was just wondering if there are any other LVN's that are unable to get financial aid due to already having an established career in nursing. I have been an LVN for 10+ years so I make too much to qualify for any type of federal assistance. I just can't see working full-time to pay bills while going back for my RN. I have almost completed my prereq's one at a time while working but can't see that continuing while going full-time to nursing school. I was offered a $25,000.00 loan with 21% interest. I about fell over laughing when the loan officer told me that! I could go out and get 10 credit cards with lower interest rate than that. Anyways I would love any tips or advice someone can give me on what they did. Thanks in advance for you r help. Jen

Unless you maxed out your student loans getting your LVN then (or something else disqualifies you from federal aid) you should be able to get unsubsidized student loans at the current interest rate......The rate is 6.8%.

Here is the link to stafford loans.http://www.staffordloan.com/ I did my LVN to BSN using student loans while working full time. I wasn't eligible for subsidized stafford loans, but I was eligible for unsubized stafford loans. Also, there are private institutions that specialize in educational loans and usually charge just a little more interest than stafford loans.

Also, unless you are going to a very expensive school you can actually get payment plans to pay out your tution throughout the semester. You may be able to pay for it yourself, if it is state school.

[lilcajunnurse]

Go to your employer and ask about tuition reimbursement. Most places have it and the employees are not informed. I'll be starting my RN in Jan. '08 after 13 years of LPN. And with the reimbursements

I can afford to pay the rest out of pocket. GOOD LUCK. P.S. If your employer does not have it...put it in as a employee retention idea...you never know.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I financed my education with a $20,000 Sallie Mae "career training" student loan at 7 percent interest. You can find more information at the Salle Mae website: http://www.SallieMae.com