Paying for Nursing school but have a mortgage

[untouchable27]

So I am looking for advice, because I am at a loss as to what to do. I was accepted to the Maricopa community college CEP program through ASU for the Fall 2017 semester.

With that said I am unsure of what the class load will look like so I don't know how much I will be able to work while attending the program. I have a wife and a newborn child, as well as a mortgage to pay. My wife makes about 16 dollars an hour at the local hospital.

I am currently making about 30k a year but won't be able to keep my current job due to the time restrictions with school in the fall. I am considering getting hired on at a local hospital but I doubt I will be paid the same amount. My mortgage is currently 1258 a month, on top of food, electricity, water, etc.

If I was able to work part time how much of a student loan should I take out? Does any one else have this kind of a problem?

[caliotter3]

Clear out a bedroom and rent it out.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

I'm not trying to be rude, but why isn't this something you planned out before applying to school? I mean, I put my education on hold for years to make sure we were in a financial situation that supported me going to school full time. I totally understand wanting to better your life and future, but these important decisions require planning.

The first thing you need to do is fill out your FAFSA and see if you qualify for any grants, start looking for scholarships everywhere. The next thing you need to do is figure out your schedule. There should be some examples on your schools website - and if there aren't, you should be talking to an admissions counselor to get the information you need. Based on that, talk to your work - see how flexible they are willing to be. You'll be better equipped to estimate what you need after those steps are complete.

[untouchable27]

Owning a house really isn't any different than if you were renting an apartment where I live. I actually pay relatively less money on my home than I would for a two bedroom apartment. So I guess the better question would be how do people afford to live outside their parents house and have a family while returning to school. As for the planning, we have planned on me returning to school, but we never have been able to hammer out the financial side of things regarding student loans etc.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I would first get a job at a hospital so you may get some tuition assistance, as well as some experience. Also shift work is more flexible.

We cannot really help you with making your financial decisions, only you and your wife can do that.

I would also look into scholarships, as that money may help as well.

Annie

[llg, PhD, RN]

1. They go to school part time and work full time.

2. They have spouses who work to pay most of the bills.

3. They live near family who provide cheap child care so the spouse can work more.

4. They delay school and use the time to save up money.

5. They make sacrifices in their lifestyle (smaller home in worse neighborhood, no vacations, cheaper car and clothes etc., fewer luxuries like cable TV and movies and electronic devices, etc.)

6. They earn scholarships.

7. The work for the school to get discounts on tuition.

8. They apply for every type of financial aid available.

8. They go into debt and spend the years after graduation paying it back.

Most people do a combination of these things. Even as a single person with no kids, I did 6 of the above to go to grad school.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

I'm also a CEP student who has to work. My mortgage is about the same as yours. I registered for one of the evening programs at the cc which would allow me to still work. Don't know if you got into a traditional schedule, but depending on your school & it's program, maybe you can still switch to an alternative schedule cohort?

All the orientations for the CC's are supposed to be happening in the next couple months (mid July in my case). Take that time at orientation to ask questions about schedule & if not conducive to your work schedule, get out there asap & look for alternative employment.

Do what you got to to make it work. If that means I have to push grocery carts for the next year or two, you bet I'd do it. Start cutting back unnecessary expenses now, cable-cancel it, eating out-not anymore, eliminate cell phone data packages, buying name brand diapers-nope, you get where I'm going here. Get smart with your money now so you have less debt later. Good luck & congrats on new baby & getting into the program!