money to help pay bills while im in school!

Jules A, MSN · Oct 8, 2008

Your're brave posting this here! Brace yourself for the onslaught of comments about your fisical irresponsiblity and how you should only pay for your tuition w/ cash!

This is uncalled for she is getting great suggestions, imo. :down:

Sara5229 · Oct 8, 2008

Were you able to qualify for the loans and pell grant? As a former single mother I took all they offered and usually got a pretty good sized check to live a little on. I have to work too of course. I would also suggest work study if its available. Also you might check around at hotels or something. I work the night shift at one while getting another degree and I basically was getting paid to study.

Meli08 · Oct 8, 2008

I am in your case, and for everybody's info, to be a CNA you need a certification (at least in my state)and is not so easy either or free (actually is like 150 just for taking it), praying does work!!! So just have a little conversation with our Holy Father, and keep the belt tight!!! Good luck!!!

dreamon · Oct 9, 2008

What city do you live in? Can you use public transportation? Maybe get rid of your car if you have no other choice? Are you receiving any kind of public assistance to help with groceries and such? I never wanted to apply for an EBT card, but after a friend of mine sat me down and told me to swallow my pride and get one I have decided to.

NewGoalRN · Dec 18, 2008

Some quick suggestions:

1. Try to hold on to your car if you can as you have a young one and you will need to get around to clinicals, school, errands, work etc- Call your creditor and explain your situation before you get 60days behind. Ask them if they could add the outstanding payment to the back end of the loan or do some other type of loan modification for you.

2. Most hospitals will let you work as a nursing tech after your first semester in school or /and you can challenge for the CNA exam but I understand that money is tightl

3. If you can scrape up the funds or get a friend or family member to loan you the money, get certified as a CNA and work part time. Most states pay $9-$10/hr and hospitals and nursing homes do hire.

4. Retry for a stafford loan.

5. Ask your school for work/study if it is available.

6. Work at McDonalds or Wal-Mart. I'm in Tampa and we have tons of 24hr Wal Mart/Mickey Ds.

7. Keep your eye on the prize i.e That Nursing Degree- Stay Focus

8. Pray: It never hurt anyone and God does anser prayers. However, my pastor always said that 'Faith without Works is Dead' so while you are praying, go out and plant the seeds so you are lucky which is nothing more than when work meets opportunity.

9. My community college has a T.I.P.S program i.e Tuition Installment Program where you can sign up for as little as 25-50% down, depending on what time you sign up and pay the remaining balance over 2-3months.

Good luck.

P.S ARe you at a private or State school? It sounds like a private school because Pell grant is $2300 a semester and that should cover most state tuition and books barely.

Also, apply for any nursing scholarshipl

amjowens · Dec 18, 2008

I've read that many students in all fields of study are having a tough time with tuition. Even if you've got good credit, money is not flowing, and so students can't pay for college. I read of a student who had loans to cover tuition until his senior year, and now the loans are no more. He's having to take time off and work for a while, then finish. So, if it helps, you're not alone.

While the obvious solution is to work, it's not always so clear and easy. You've got to be really honest with yourself about how much time you need to study in order to pass. There's absolutely no shame in needing to study, and as one poster said about possible advice of paying cash for tuition, I think she means the posts where people say they don't want any debt, so work full time, plus have kids...and straight As in nursing school. While admirable, some of us require sleep in between in order to function and don't have a razor-sharp memories!

As for me, I use financial aid for tuition and living expenses, rent a room with another student, and am VERY careful with finances. I chose to attend a community college with low tuition, and did an LPN program (plan to take NCLEX-PN in Feb.) before the RN just so I could have a relatively good job while in the RN program. I'd rather have gone straight for the RN (begin in January, a month after finished my LPN), but then back to the sacrifices...we each have our own story.

Anyway, point is, you first need to pass your courses, or tuition worries are pointless. Be honest with yourself, as it would be a lot easier to talk with your school, take a leave, and finish up in a semester or so than it would be to earn poor grades and not have options at any nursing schools. Just a consideration, though I'm sure not top option. I just think that if you are as desperate as you sound, it might be best to wait a semester or so. My school offers this type of thing for unique cases, though not announced.

nursing_rocks23 · Dec 18, 2008

Hey,

I am not sure if anyone mentioned it (as I didnt go through every post) but have you tried searching for state funded scholarship money? Not sure where you are located but most states have a budget for college students set aside. In my state we contact our state representative and typically its a good sum of money. Hope that helps!

:smokin:

dannibee · Dec 19, 2008

Do you not qualify for Stafford loans?

nurse901 · Dec 21, 2008

I feel ya girl. Money is tight here as well. I am PRN ( as needed) at the hospital so it's nice because I can bring in some extra money while being able to make my own schedule. I have not heard alot about this but one of my nursing friends got trained through the American Red Cross to be a Certified CPR trainer. She made so much money doing that because there are alot of people that needed the training. Also a bonus to that was that she did it on her own time , could make up her own price and she did not have to work alot of hours in order to make alot of money. She charged people like $20-$30 for the course and she trained over 20 people on some Saturdays. So she could make alot on just one Saturday. I am not sure how she was able to make up her own price but she was able to some how. I assume some of the money has to be put towards the American Red Cross but not sure about that. It is worth checking into. Hopefully this was a little help. Good luck to you.