No money for school, as my family fell apart

U.S.A. Tennessee

Published

I had plans for nursing school all my life and my father chose to have a mid life crisis this year, right as I graduated from high school. He's gone and left my family with nothing. We now live in a small camper in an RV park in Nashville. I have absolutly no help for college and the loan programs are no help because they force me to use my father's income, even though he has abandoned us. I am so desperate for help, and can't possibly imagine putting anymore stress on my mother by asking her to help me find a way to become a nurse. She is barely hanging on to any sanity she has left. Are there hospitals that will educate me, in return for me working for them after the program is finished? It is the only way I can think of to be a nurse. I have no resources to money or help. I would really appreciate any advice I can get. I graduated high school with a 3.6 GPA. I only mention that because I feel like it is important to note that I take my education seriously. Thanks so much for your time!

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Sorry to hear about all of the stress that has fell upon your family.....have you filed your free application for federal student aid? If so, you should check into applying for a Federal Stafford Loan....these loans are from the federal government and do not require a credit check, nor are they based on income...there are 2 kinds of stafford loans...subsidized and unsubsidized....one you pay the interest incurred while in school and the other you do not pay a cent until 6 months after you graduate......there is also the Federal Perkins Loan......check into these before you give up on your dreams....and yes there are work-study programs at alot of schools.....community colleges and technological centers.....Good Luck!

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I also want to add where there is a will,there is a way. Don't get discouraged. strtbkgrl made some excellent suggestions. Check into those and let us know what happens!!!;)

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

You can also include living expenses in your student loan. My dh has a $20,000+ loan and pays $60 a month. And yes, you don't even start repaying until 6 months after graduation. It's very reasonable. He only borrowed for tuition and books but I know plenty of nurses who also borrowed for living expenses. If you go some place like Volunteer State Community College it would not be expensive. They currently charge $1,200 tuition per semester for 12 or more hours. Good Luck to you and your family.

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As far as financing....the best bet is to talk to the school's financial aid office. They will be your best resource on getting you adequate funding.

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Have you considered Uncle Sam? I was an Active Duty Army Medic and really enjoyed myself. My GI bill is paying for school and also helped me buy my first house. Maybe you would prefer Army Reserve or National Guard so you can come home after Basic Training and AIT. Either way, you can get some initial medical training, and have help paying for college. I finish Nursing School in December and I feel that my experience as an Army Medic has put me way ahead of my classmates. It just so happens I come from a family of Army Medics turned RN's (Mom, Dad, Uncle). Let me know if you want any more info.:lol2:

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Specializes in ER/adult gero-NP.

My best friend was in the same predicament. Her father totally ditched her family, but he had a 100k income so she had no chance of finical aid. I thought that was so unfair because she did not see a dime of that money! She contacted the FAFSA (sp?) people and plead her case and they told her what she had to do. They told her she needed to have three letters written on her behalf stating that her father was completely out of her life and his income was NOT her income- and then have those letters notarized. I think she had to mail them the letters. That first happened three years ago, and she has been receiving FULL finical aid ever since. I would call their 1-800# and talk to them. They understand that life is not always how it is supposed to be, tell them YOUR circumstances and see what they can do for you. And your finical aid will be based on your families income - without your runaway father's.! This is full of obstacles, but that is what makes us stronger... Nursing is possible, even if you are broke. I'm broke and I've been in school 2 years and I start the nursing program in a few weeks! Best of luck on everything!

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Hello! I am not sure what part of TN you are in but I wanted to let you know that if you work full time at Vanderbilt (60h in 2 weeks) they pay a big portion of your tuition. You have to have worked at Vanderbilt for 3 months at full time status to qualify. There is a way! Stay strong...even if that means working for a few years to save up money. You can do it!

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
You can also include living expenses in your student loan. My dh has a $20,000+ loan and pays $60 a month. And yes, you don't even start repaying until 6 months after graduation. It's very reasonable. He only borrowed for tuition and books but I know plenty of nurses who also borrowed for living expenses. If you go some place like Volunteer State Community College it would not be expensive. They currently charge $1,200 tuition per semester for 12 or more hours. Good Luck to you and your family.

Great advice! I too am so sorry for your misfortune but there IS hope. I borrowed 30K including tuition, books and a little for living expenses and don't have to pay until 6 months after I graduate. I don't have credit and it did not matter.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Staff nurse.
Have you considered Uncle Sam? I was an Active Duty Army Medic and really enjoyed myself. My GI bill is paying for school and also helped me buy my first house. Maybe you would prefer Army Reserve or National Guard so you can come home after Basic Training and AIT. Either way, you can get some initial medical training, and have help paying for college. I finish Nursing School in December and I feel that my experience as an Army Medic has put me way ahead of my classmates. It just so happens I come from a family of Army Medics turned RN's (Mom, Dad, Uncle). Let me know if you want any more info.:lol2:

Excellent suggestion, and the Army used to have an LPN program, maybe it still does. I went into the US Army WAC out of high school when my dad announced he wouldn't send a girl to college. I had no driver's license ("girls don't need to drive"), no experience ("nice girls don't work at fast foods" or "no wife/daugher of mine will work"). I got out of a nasty home situation, saw some states, learned all kinds of skills working with diverse populations before it became the thing to do.

Both my husband and I used our GI Bills to finance college. Check it out!

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When I went to nursing school (it was in the 1980's) I had been living apart from my parents for 2 yrs. I was able to hook up with a student aid counselor who listened to my story and told them I had absolutely no help from either of my parents to go to school. I had to write a letter explaining the situation that mom had no money and dad refused to pay for anything and that I had no other support system and was on my own when it came to paying for my education. It took a while and some perseverance but I was able to get grants and student loans to help pay for the costs. based on MY income. Try going to a junior college and see what they can do to help you. Good luck....

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