So very disappointed...

[julesradio]

I feel like crying right now.

I just found out I won't be able to pay for my classes this semester, my first semester of pre-recs.

I just want to cry. I was so looking forward to starting school this August. I am so mad.

I don't qualify for federal aid and have been out of school so long that scholarships aren't really an option either.

:o

[xNursePinkx2b]

Stafford loans are not based on credit :) Everyone qualifies, as long as you have not had one in the past and not paid it back.

[julesradio]

OP again

Thanks for all the advice. I am going into the financial aid office first thing Monday with a bit of optimism.

Thanks so much. I just love this board. I feel like I'm not alone on my journey to a new career.

[coolpeach]

Anyone who has not defaulted on a Stafford student loan in the past can get a Stafford loan regardless of credit. They do NOT even look at credit.

In addition to the pay plan someone mentioned above there is also work study. You work at the campus x amount of hours, and they pay you x amount of $ which you apply to your tuition, and books. They have great jobs you can do like work in the clinic for example, even help out in financial aid so you can learn more options. The early birds get the best jobs so you need to check it out soon.

The first step of course is to fill out a FAFSA, and meet with a Financial aid advisor. Nothing can be done before you do those two things.

[smilingjaguar]

Even if you defaulted on a student loan (I did...young and really broke), if you participate in a loan rehab program and make 6 on-time payments you can get a loan. Mine is fully rehabbed and I am starting school in August (on loan money).

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

getting a loan is well worth the investment so you can become a nurse. go for it..

[Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN]

If I'm not mistaken, if you have bad credit you can have someone else (with good credit) co-sign the loan.

[lpnstudent07]

Even if you defaulted on a student loan (I did...young and really broke), if you participate in a loan rehab program and make 6 on-time payments you can get a loan. Mine is fully rehabbed and I am starting school in August (on loan money).

Where can I find more information about the loan rehab program?

[smilingjaguar]

I was contacted by the loan servicer, but I found this web site that asks you to contact the federal student aid organizations and gives the phone numbers and addresses.

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/rehabilitation.html

The contact list is at the bottom of the page. I hope this helps.

[Mexarican]

Yea...you don't need any credit, good or bad to get a federal stafford loan! I always scratch my head when people say i've been denied financial aid. There's no such thing, unless you'e run up your limits on stafford loans. You may not get free money (ex:grants) but EVERYONE who is a citizen can get stafford loans and those are not credit based and they ARE considered federal financial aid as well.

Mex

[ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN]

My credit is AWFUL! so is my husband's but I was still able to get the basic stafford loans from the school, they just upped the amounts pretty good too so you should be able to get enough for youre pre-req's and have some left over, good luck!!

[allthingsbright]

hey! i just want to encourage you-about 2 yrs ago i was kicked out of my pre-req classes for a different program because my finaid didnt come through. at the time i was devastated. now i am getting ready to graduate from another program in Dec w/ my RN! if i HAD taken those classes I wouldnt have needed them because I moved...

there is a purpose in everything that happens--things will work out! (((HUGS)))

[LMRN10]

Oh, I hope you are able to figure something out...I could only imagine how frustrated you must be. Hopefully talking to financial aid will make a difference!