Possibility of paying off student loans before schooling is over?

[BreBeeNeuroNurse]

I am a senior in high school and I attend a Vo-tech in the afternoon for CNA training, I've been in the class since junior year because I wanted to start my health career as early as I could!

I was accepted into a community college, I have to take 1 year of prerequisites to get into their 2 year nursing program, it's a good program and affordable.

I will be getting my CNA certification after graduation and I'll have clinical experience, I hope to start working in the summer full time and throughout my first year of college

My first year of college will cost around $3,400 and my next 2 years will cost $14,700 collectively. Both are including books, supplies, uniforms and so on.

I want to graduate without debt and pay it all off before my 2nd year so I can start saving for my 401k and personal savings account.

I have no other expenses other than gas and car maintenance as I will be living at home, I only live 20 minutes from my college.

How possible is this? Or am I just being naive.

[Anonymous1257]

It's doable, but working full time with full time classes will likely burn you out. Put school first, nursing school can be intense compared to other undergraduate degrees. Give it a shot and see how the first semester goes, make adjustments after and don't be afraid to take out a loan or two of it comes to that, you won't have trouble paying them off once you get you license if you're responsible, which it sounds like you are.

Best of luck!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

According to the last data that I have seen, more than half of CC attendees are eligible for Pell Grants. In many cases, this is sufficient to cover all tuition & books. So your financial picture may be better than you anticipate. Your first step would be to complete your FAFSA when you're ready to enroll in college. This information is not only used to determine Pell Grant eligibility, but also serves as a launching pad for other types of financial aid.

Best of luck to you in your educational journey.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

Unless your parents have a high income you will most likely qualify for Pell grant and possibly other scholarships. Some schools even allow you to make payments during the school year which would allow to not get loans at all. There's also work study which would allow you to work around your classes.

[BreBeeNeuroNurse]

Ok thank you! I did apply for state grants along with my FAFSA and I will only be taking classes 2 -3 days a week for my first year so I think I'll be able to work full time. My parents don't have a high income so I'm hoping I receive a lot of grants.