SEEKING ADVICE: Single Moms - How did you pay for your nursing program?

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Hi Ladies!

I am a single mom with an infant daughter. :inlove:

I am currently applying to Accelerated BSN Nursing programs in IL / Chicago Suburbs. The price tags seem to be really high on these programs. Also, it seems all the advisors tell you that you cannot work and be successful in the program.

No income + crazy tuition costs = ahhhhh!

I wonder how did you, as a single mom, afford to not only go through the program, but also afford rent, car insurance, food, diapers, ect?

Also, any scholarships you can recommend? Loan programs?

Would love your advice/tips.

Thanks!

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First you need to consider if the price tag is going to be worth it. Theres programs out here in CA that cost as much as a house, no joke! i'm talking over 200k after considering all the books and fees involved. So do your homework big time before signing on the dotted line.

With that said I went through a program that was pricey too ($50,000) yes seriously for an ADN. However, I knew upfront I would qualify for full amount of grants and that I would only be paying half and was the only reason I went for it (and saved me 5 years time too).

So half of it was through grants, and the other half I had to get loans for. Now im in a BSN program and did a lot of homework and found one I could do in a year for $6 (after grants and a discount). That's how I pay for school, good ole Uncle Sam. Sometimes it pays tremendously to be a single mom.

As far as getting through life while in the program, I did work for a while early on and saved a lot of the money, try to work before it gets too hard. After I left work, her dad stepped up and paid for my (and daughter's) life expenses while in school. He's a good guy and wanted me to do better for myself. I know a lot of them aren't but I was blessed that he was. All I can say is do what you gotta do. Cut corners where you can and figure it out. If you really want this, it will work out someway somehow. Just don't give up. Good luck!

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I just read that you have an infant. Wow! Personally I couldntve done it with a tiny one and done well. My daughter's in grade school so its quite different. But there are women who do it, more power to them. In our program there was no missing school for a puking child or motherhood duties and it was HARD mentally and emotionally when I had to miss things. However, its only temporary. Remember that

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Have you considered going for your ADN at a community college first and then transferring for BSN? Or do you already have your ADN?

I know here in NC there are a ton of grants available for single mothers and once in the program there are opportunities for scholarships (I got two while in the program). I ended up not paying a single dime out of pocket for school.

I have two kids.. not infants though.. they are 9 and 11 now.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I went to night school so I could keep working days. I worked 7 days a week but it was worth it.

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To the OP, accelerated BSN, are these second degree programs you're applying for? Do you already have a B.S. or B.A.? I'm asking because I was told by the US Dept of Ed. that 2nd degree students (myself) are ineligible for any further grants such as pell grants and that the only other options were to take out student and private loans. Is the situation different for single mothers? I don't have children but am currently in your shoes otherwise with applying to ABSNs.

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Specializes in Long Term Care, Assisted Living, Agency.
To the OP, accelerated BSN, are these second degree programs you're applying for? Do you already have a B.S. or B.A.? I'm asking because I was told by the US Dept of Ed. that 2nd degree students (myself) are ineligible for any further grants such as pell grants and that the only other options were to take out student and private loans. Is the situation different for single mothers? I don't have children but am currently in your shoes otherwise with applying to ABSNs.

For my case it's true. Worked my buns off during my first B.S degree, so much so that I only applied for loans in my senior year. So I only racked about $12,000 in my last year. I was told by my advisors that for my second degree, I don't qualify for any grants (never did anyway during my 1st degree because they thought I made too much as a CMA.) But since I did not exhaust my limit for Federal loans, I have about $12K a year for this ABSN that I just got accepted into. Well that still leaves me like $26K in the hole to afford this 1 yr ABSN.

So I'm thinking about private student loans, but I wish more members would recommend where one would apply for such loans. I'm aware about Salli Mae, but I'll be delighted to hear from other members' experiences on these private loans, esp,

Where they applied

How much they were approved for.

Interest rates on those loans

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Could you suggest grants that are available for single mothers in NC? Do you know if a person qualifies for the forgivable loan program in NC for being in a nursing program if that person already has a bachelor degree? Thanks

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Have you considered going for your ADN at a community college first and then transferring for BSN? Or do you already have your ADN?

I know here in NC there are a ton of grants available for single mothers and once in the program there are opportunities for scholarships (I got two while in the program). I ended up not paying a single dime out of pocket for school.

I have two kids.. not infants though.. they are 9 and 11 now.

I am in NC and am interested in what financial aid you found available for mothers. Also, what school did/do you attend? Thanks!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Moved to our Pre-Nursing Student section for member advice.

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I'm also from Illinois and I have been in school with a single mother who isn't financially struggling by any means and financial aid pays for all of her schooling because she's a mom... Actually now that I think of it every single mother I know in college gets their schooling completely paid for by the state. But the working and having kids thing while in school is a struggle for my friend. She really strives to barely get a C. BUT that doesn't mean it has to be the same for you. That's only one person that I can speak for and I haven't been in your situation myself, so don't let my words deter you! I just wanted to give you something to relate to.

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I know in TN, there is some program for single mothers going through school, maybe Illinois has something like that? Her school is paid for and she gets assistance with rent and other household bills.

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