stressing- how do you pay for nursing school

allnurses Guide · Nov 9, 2011

People in your situation do work during nursing school and yes, it is tiring and stressful. But they survive it.

There is no way a computer should have to cost $2000. I bought the one I am typing now for less than $500 and it has done just fine for me through school.

Private loans are next to impossible to get right now. You'll want to see about tuition reimbursement from your employer and research scholarships. And yeah, you'll have to work, possibly full time.

Good luck.

sugarmagnoliaRN · Nov 9, 2011

If you are already a CNA and find out you may need to work full time, you're actually in a good position. The reason I say that is, if you needed to, you could work 3 12hour shifts per week and be full time (benefits, and enough money to support yourself). I know that's a lot but it can be done. As for the private loans, they will tell you how much you'll be able to borrow (it'll be your school's Cost of Attendace minus any other aid, e.g. your federal loans from filling out FAFSA). If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me - I freaked out about finances and how I could afford this too so I feel your pain! Hang in there :hug:

sugarmagnoliaRN · Nov 9, 2011

Oh and unless your school requires a computer that costs 2k, PLEASE don't spend that much on one. I got a very nice Dell for around $600 so if you're trying to save money, please don't buy a Mac! I love them but really, very few independent students can afford them. Get those expenses down to the bare minimum! (My monthly budget is about $1200/month during school, living on my own thousands of miles from family)

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2011

I am sorry you are in such a tough place. One thing you did not address is scholarships and grants. Between my pell grant & scholarship, my tuition, fees, books, and health insurance are covered. As everyone is saying, 2k for a computer is crazy. Computers do not cost that much anymore. I got a GREAT refurbished HP on ebay for $300 with a one year warranty. Cut everything down to the bare minimum. Don't let people tell you supplies will cost $400. Mine were UNDER $100. And books? $100 per semester was my average, I sell it back and it costs nothing at all. You will need to live on as little as possible. Cut out all the extra expenses- cable bill, eating out, etc. Consider moving back in with your mom. It won't be easy but you can make it happen.

athrun340 · Nov 9, 2011

Talk with your financial aid adviser. I don't understand how you're only getting 3000 dollars per year with loans included. I'm in the same situation as you. 23 yrs old and not qualified for any grants because my parents earn too much (yea right) so I have to pay my tuition out of pocket. Anyway, this year i didn't get any grant but I did qualify for loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, and parents loan). If I wanted to, i could have paid my whole tuition with just the loans. Also i go to a state uni so my tuition is about the same as yours.

i hope your school doesnt require you to buy a computer from them for 2k. That's just ridiculous. You can get a cheap one for 500 bucks

Books won't cost you 1200 either. Chegg, amazon, ebay, and your school library are going to be your friends. This semester I spent 20 bucks for a lab book that I bought from amazon. The rest of my books I borrowed from the library.. haha

you might also want to consider taking a year off from school and just work full time to save money. This way when you get into nursing school, you don't have to work and you can just concentrate on school full time.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 10, 2011

FIRST - get your mom to take you off her income tax as a dependent. You have to your return separately - even if you had very little or no income. This will set up your status as 'independent' and make you eligible for financial aid. That's what I did with both my kids when they graduated HS. It hurt my tax return, but the overall payoff in terms of financial aid was worth it.

Avoid private loans if you possibly can. That's a real trap - it essentially mortgages your future. Talk to college financial aid counselors. They have current information about potential sources of private funding such as little-known scholarships and grants.

Good luck!!!

leenak · Nov 10, 2011

I'm saving 'like crazy' to pay for nursing school. I also plan to live fairly frugally while in school although certain expenses like gas/car checkups will go up due to the increased amount of driving.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Nov 10, 2011

Small suggestion: Carpool with your classmates. This is mutually beneficial for everyone. You and your classmates need to get to the same place at the same time, and probably no one has money to burn. Find people who have to drive in the same direction as you. Start a carpool list among your classmates. It's a great way to get to know your peers too.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Nov 10, 2011

Also, look into becoming a home health aide. HHA's take care of patients in their home. The pay is typically comparable to CNA's but you only have one patient at a time.

kids · Nov 10, 2011

FIRST - get your mom to take you off her income tax as a dependent. You have to your return separately - even if you had very little or no income. This will set up your status as 'independent' and make you eligible for financial aid. That's what I did with both my kids when they graduated HS. It hurt my tax return, but the overall payoff in terms of financial aid was worth it.
Avoid private loans if you possibly can. That's a real trap - it essentially mortgages your future. Talk to college financial aid counselors. They have current information about potential sources of private funding such as little-known scholarships and grants.
Good luck!!!

It's not that simple.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1011/help/fftoc03k.htm

Additionally, Healthcare students MUST provide their parent's information even if they are "independant".

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1011/help/fftoc04j.htm

As for the original question...

Take (and pay for) one class at a time.

sugarmagnoliaRN · Nov 10, 2011

It's not that simple.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1011/help/fftoc03k.htm
Additionally, Healthcare students MUST provide their parent's information even if they are "independant".
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1011/help/fftoc04j.htm
As for the original question...
Take (and pay for) one class at a time.

On my FAFSA, I had the option to put my parents' information and they did encourage it because I'm a healthcare student, but it wasn't required. I've been in the workforce for a little over 2 years, so I'm not sure if that had something to do with it being encouraged but not required.