school grants

[Mikessa]

I just sent in a financial aid form to attend Montana State. Without going into a lot of details, I live in complete poverty, have no dependents, and I want to go to nursing school. I just want to know how a person in my same situation can get money for nursing school?

Has anybody ever been in this same spot and do I have a chance to get a grant that will cover everything?

[D.R.A.]

Yes. I've been in your spot. First of all, your age matters. Did you have to count your parents income? Second of all, I qualified for a full Pell when in your situation(0: Lastly, there are other programs such as WIA which I am going through. It pays for Associate Degree Nursing Program. That's books, tuition, uniform, NCLEX review test, NCLEX liscensure. You can receive both a Pell and WIA. This frees up Pell money for other things like supplies and living expenses etc. Oh, and you can always do student loan. Many hospitals in my area have a repayment program. When you start working, you can recieve 2500 per year of contract to use for loan repayment or further education. So in the long run, any way you look at it, everything gets paid for:)

[Mikessa]

I didnt count my parents at all, I'm 42 years old.

I promised my family that I wouldnt apply for a loan. I probably wouldnt qualify for one anyway.

[mercuryrawks]

Student Loans are "entitled money". You do not need to be approved, unless you are in a current default on another student loan. Be sure to only take what you NEED, because even though the interest rates are low...if you get unsubsidized, it is still debt, even if it isn't "bad" debt. All debt is bad debt to me. And you may not get a job in the 6 months after you graduate, but you will still HAVE to repay that loan.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

If you are of NAI descent there may be some scholarship money.....

There is a difference between good and bad debt.....

Bad debt is borrowing money to eat out at a restauraunt

Good debt is borrowed money that helps you improve your life through improving your job and living skills. Borrow only what you need to help get through school.

Make an appointment with the schools financial aid counselor and they can help you negotiate the process.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ is another resource.

(Student loans have very favorable terms. There are deferment and forbearance programs available for financial hardship etc.)

Montana has a very progressive financial aid system.

[D.R.A.]

I'm not sure what your particular circumstances are regarding why you promised not to apply for a loan, but student loans are a very smart way, in my opinion, to finance education in the absence of grants. When you consider what I said before about many hospitals having loan re-payment programs it becomes free money in a sense. No, there is no guarantee you will get a job right away when you grad so definately do some checking as to the status of new nurse hires in your area. I am fortunate that in my area there has always been a 100% hire rate for new nurse grads......it remains that way currently in spite of difficulty in other areas of the country. Good luck to you. I bet your gonna be pleasantly surprised with your grant app.:)

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

I would think that if you apply for FAFSA, you'd get everything covered. I know a couple of people in similar situations and that is what they have gotten.