So Upset Need Ideas

I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I can remember. I am now 27yrs old with no college at all. I have 2 kids and have decided to make my dream come true. Well I went to the community college today just expecting to sign up for classes. Well let me first say I had to take a placement test which I need 3 math and 2 english classes to get to college level. I also cannot get into the LPN program till Fall of 2007. The community college also doesnt offer Student Loans. So now I am stuck wondering how on earth to pay for all of this. I dont qualify for any financial aid. The school also doesnt except Federal Student Loans. I just dont know what to do.. I am in Bloomington Illinois and dont know of any other school that I can do this at. I guess my dreams are being crushed and I dont know where to go from here.

Sorry for the depressing post I just needed to get it off my shoulder.

Brandi

[montinurse, BSN]

Hey Brandi-I know how you feel. It can be very overwhelming when you first realize how much you need to do BEFORE you can even start nursing school. Don't be too down. It takes baby steps. I have a hard time with you not being able to qualify for financial aid. And why doesn't this college accept FEDERAL aid? Sounds fishy to me. Did you talk to the right person at the college, maybe someone gave you the wrong info. You need to take 3 math classes and 2 english classes before being accepted into the LPN program? The plus to having to wait until Fall 07 is that you'll have enough time to finish pre-reqs. I would definitely look into other colleges in your area if I were you...Federal aid is a lifesaver-is for me and sounds like it would be for you, too. Don't give up, just keep doing your research-where there's a will, there's always a way.

Good luck, Jenny

[montinurse, BSN]

If it is, I found this on their website. You'll just have to wait for next time to fill out the FAFSA.

http://www.hcc.cc.il.us/services/financialaid/index.html

[MrsStock10]

If it is, I found this on their website. You'll just have to wait for next time to fill out the FAFSA.

http://www.hcc.cc.il.us/services/financialaid/index.html

Yes that is the college. I did fill out the FAFSA and I dont qualify for any aid at all because they say my husband makes too much money. As to why they dont do student loans I have no clue why.. I talked to the Academic Advisor and the Fin Aid Dept and they both told me the same thing.

[MrsStock10]

Hey Brandi-I know how you feel. It can be very overwhelming when you first realize how much you need to do BEFORE you can even start nursing school. Don't be too down. It takes baby steps. I have a hard time with you not being able to qualify for financial aid. And why doesn't this college accept FEDERAL aid? Sounds fishy to me. Did you talk to the right person at the college, maybe someone gave you the wrong info. You need to take 3 math classes and 2 english classes before being accepted into the LPN program? The plus to having to wait until Fall 07 is that you'll have enough time to finish pre-reqs. I would definitely look into other colleges in your area if I were you...Federal aid is a lifesaver-is for me and sounds like it would be for you, too. Don't give up, just keep doing your research-where there's a will, there's always a way.

Good luck, Jenny

Yes 3math and 2english. At HCC you have to take a placement test and to get into the LPN program you have to be at college level in Math and English and I didnt get that high on my placement test. So those 5 classes wont even give me credits just will get me to college level.

[Princess74]

I don't believe that i have ever heard of a college that does not accept gov student loans.

Is there another school in your area that you could attend? Or maybe you could take the classes online, that way you could get a student loan. You should also check into scholarships. I haven't found any myself yet but I know that they are out there. Don't give up, if you want it bad enough you'll eventually find a way.

I also know how you feel I have to take chem, and bio at a hs level and 1 math and 1 english class to get up to college level. I've been out of HS 13 years, and apparently have gotten rusty. Its going to take me 4 years to complete everything for my ADN-RN.

[lucky4timesover]

Hi, I just wanted to say that we have 2 schools in my area that don't get into federal loans. One is a vo-tech and the other is a CC. I think it may actually be more common than one would like to think. Don't give up, you will find a school that can help you out. Don't rule out the option of traveling a few miles to do it either if you can make it work. Good luck.:)

Sunny

[smk1, LPN]

can you apply for scholarships? how were your grades in highschool? are you a minority? are you a daughter of a nurse? there are all kinds of scholarships out there. I guess my advice is to look into that, get your CNA cert and work if you can and save the money to help pay for school, the LPN program shouldn't be too expensive and if you have a two year wait anyway then tha is plenty of time to work full time or even partime and save the money to pay for it out of pocket, meanwhile you can always check out a math book from the library and retake the placement tests, this is true for the english class as well, even if you just go up one or two levels that means less classes to take and less money to spend. Also if you work as a CNA you will have an easier time in LPN school I've heard! I know it seems frustrating and annoying, but think of it this way, the time is going to pass no matter what you do with it, so why not get the grunt work done and in 2 years enter nursing school. About a year later you'll be able to say you are a nurse like you've always wanted. If you do nothing you'll be sitting there 2 yrs older and still wanting to go back to school to be a nurse. Good luck, and go into financial aid again and ask about the scholarships available, there is usually a large list.

[MADDOG70, BSN]

This really is a killer!! There are plenty of schools in Chicago that do everything you want and more. I know wer'e so far away but you don't need 3 math classes either!! Just one for the city colleges!! They all have associate degree programs. I'm a graduate myself 7 years ago. I have alot of friends that are in the programs up here. Think about possibly relocating. I know it's alot to think about but it's temporary until you get your degree. It goes by fast and you attend 2 days of classes 9-12 and one clinical in the program. Think about this. Let me know if you want more info. Unfortuanltely there aren't too many options on the internet for basic classes. But try anyway. Good Luck!!

I have wanted to be a nurse ever since I can remember. I am now 27yrs old with no college at all. I have 2 kids and have decided to make my dream come true. Well I went to the community college today just expecting to sign up for classes. Well let me first say I had to take a placement test which I need 3 math and 2 english classes to get to college level. I also cannot get into the LPN program till Fall of 2007. The community college also doesnt offer Student Loans. So now I am stuck wondering how on earth to pay for all of this. I dont qualify for any financial aid. The school also doesnt except Federal Student Loans. I just dont know what to do.. I am in Bloomington Illinois and dont know of any other school that I can do this at. I guess my dreams are being crushed and I dont know where to go from here.

Sorry for the depressing post I just needed to get it off my shoulder.

Brandi

[sugabuga]

Don't some banks offer their own version of student loans? Maybe you could try that.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I live near Peoria, IL. Could you attend ICC in East Peoria? Both of my sons have gone there and they do participate in the student loan program and from Bloomington, its only about a 45 minute commute. Good luck.

[kahlo]

see below from heartland community college (normal, il) -- there's payment plan that could be easier to manage, then just paying one lump sum for tuition/fees.....i did not qualify for any grants and took advantage of a payment plan at my college -- it was much easier to pay $100 - $200 a month, rather then paying $1200 at once. :)

[color=#660000]facts

monthly tuition payments:

to help students pay for educational expenses, heartland community college (hcc) is pleased to offer facts as a convenient budget plan. facts is a tuition management plan that provides a low cost option for paying tuition and other direct educational expenses. it is not a loan program; therefore, they have no debt, there are no interest or finance charges assessed and there is no credit check. learn more about facts.

http://www.hcc.cc.il.us/services/financialaid/index.html