Maxed out on loans- now what?

[kukukajoo]

Yep, my education may have come to a complete standstill and I may have to withdraw. Besides my education I have two kids also in college and am a single mom. Trying to transfer to a private college and I can get just enough aid for tuition only. This leaves me nothing for living or my long commute and I am fearing that I will have to drop out.

I have applied for the BHPR scholarship and this seems like the only way I would be able to afford to continue on my own studies. Problem is, they usually don't notify until AFTER school begins so I will be running blind for the first few weeks then would have to withdraw if I do not win it. Not a very good way to begin the year.

This late in the year are there any scholarships or programs left to apply for?

loans are not an option as I have just been deined for a few, probably because I have taken out so many for me and my kids. I am actually considering enlisting to get the tuition assistance but even that has to wait until senior year (I will be a junior).

I am beginning to feel like I have no options and scared my education may be over.

So does anyone have any advice for me?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

KUKU,

I dont understand, I thought you were on your last semester at of the the NH community colleges??? What made you want to go to Riv when you were almost done?? Maybe I am just lost...

Swtooth

[kukukajoo, LPN]

SW Tooth- I just finished up my first year and decided to transfer. Long story. I tried to PM you but can't for some reason....

Thanks everyone for suggestions- loans in the kids name is only one and I think it put me over the top. the rest are mine. Also mortgage and fighting some fraud on there as well as my own blemishes. The twins have been paying their own way but one needed some help last year which I was happy to help in any way I could. They are good kids and deserve a chance at education and I would do anything so they don't ever have to suffer so many years like I have. God knows they have lived in poverty long enough and I intend to break that cycle not have them relive my own mistakes.

I worked 95 hours bike week last week so I could make some money. Working while in school would be near imossible d/t 3 hr+/- round trip commute daily and other family obligations as well as study time, etc. my classes are all over the place. I am checking into workstudy as a possible answer as they usually can accomodate a crazy schedule and I could at least make gas money.

When people see an income of only $168 a week they tend to shy away from giving loans when debt is over 110,000 even if is all current or deferred.

I have received some scholarships on fastweb, but not any of the national ones. They were in sate things- one was for $2000 last year and if it wasn't for fastweb I would never have heard of them as it was not posted at my school. Others were same as posted at school. Others forget it a million essays and no moola to show for it.

[arciedee]

Have you already officially withdrawn from the Tech? Would it be an option to continue there just to get the RN out of the way and then work on your BSN while you're working? UNH/Granite State College is starting up an online RN-to-BSN program and I think you can go right into it from the Tech and it's only one more year... and you'd be able to use tuition reimbursement to help pay for it (and maybe having the income would allow you to qualify for additional loans). So sorry to hear about this. I know how stressful it is to try to pay for school... you'll find a way, I have faith in you! Best of luck!

[Anjann, RN]

Have you tried Wells Fargo? The have a private health care loan for nurses and doctors that I took out once my federal loans were maxed out...Not sure how they qualify people, but you can go to their website wellsfargo.com and read up on it....

[kukukajoo, LPN]

Thanks everyone. I will look at wells fargo. I may sell my house. I will do whatever it takes. There has to be a solution and I will find it soon I hope! If I had my old house I could rent rooms but this place is tiny. I regret selling that place.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Agree with the above poster..... Also, I don't mean to be a smart-aleck, but are both your kids working at least some hours while in college to help with their expenses? Do they know the financial struggles you're having trying to finish school yourself? Also as someone else mentioned, you may be able to find a per diem job somewhere that pays well, and offers some sort of tuition reimbursement....

[kukukajoo, LPN]

One works full time and one is more than full time as she nannys and works at a department store. They understand, but my troubles are not their troubles. Working would be almost impossible as I will be taking on 6 classes and clinicals as well as a 3 hr commute (R/T) on a good weather and traffic day and that could easily be double most days.

Looking like it will not happen.

[mshep12]

This is by no means a permanent solution, but it sounds like you're desperate at this point. Have you tried consolidating your loans? It might not be possible depending on where you got your loans, but sometimes you can do it, and it just puts all your debt into one loan.

It doesn't sound so good, I know, but it means you lower monthly payments at a set interest rate usually. I don't know, good luck though.

[sandybakes]

You say loans are not an option? Even private student loans like Sallie Mae and Bank of America? They don't care how many loans you have out. For BOA, ask for the education maximizer and with SM use the tuition answer. Both of these are sent directly to you and do not go through the school.

The other option is something I just found out about and I'm a little ticked I found out so late, but it's through the WIA. You have to find your local Career Center and apply. It pays up to 8,000 dollars and you don't have to pay it back --just finish school.

PM me.

I live in /Florida, please tell me more about this loan. I just got accepted and my tution is $17,000 per semester,