stressing- how do you pay for nursing school

[CNA2day]

I am at a loss...Here are the thoughts/questions/concerns that are flying around my head... If anyone has any sugestions please chime in!

This is really a disorganized mess, my brain is friend from 12 hours of studying and tests today... it is NOT functioning...

• I do not qualify for a pell grant as I have my income and my mothers income on my fafsa as I am 23 and they REQUIRE it. my mother does not help me out.But I do not make enough to even make ends meet... i am single living alone with no kids. Thought about getting a roommate but I only have one bedroom!
  
• If I wait another year and apply for fall of 2013 I MAY qualify for a pell grant, but I am not sure and no one can tell me what the cut off is. The longer I wait the more time I spend making diddly squat and not working towards my goal of becoming an RN
  
• With everything I can get from fafsa(including loans) it comes to about 3,000 a year.... while nursing school tuition itself comes to about 6k with about 2k for the required computer... and approx 400 more for supplies and background tests and such. and according to my advisor about 1200 for books
  
• Do I go get a private loan for the rest... how do I know what to borrow....
  
• They do not recommend that you work during nursing school but how do you afford not to? Do people really borrow for ALL of their living expenses also?!
  
• who would even give me a loan for that amount.... would I be able to repay it?!
  
• I will have to budget for gas, I live an hour from the school and they can send me up to 2 hours away from there for clinicals.
  

How the heck do I make this work! How did you make this work?!?!

[Hygiene Queen]

Can you work as a PCT or CNA in a facility that has tuition reimbursement?I did. I also went to a community college. I paid next to nothing and had no loans to pay back.I also had a job as an RN when I graduated because they already knew me as a PCT.

[blackandyellow]

This happened to me when I applied last year. I was so upset I had been clearing myself independent since I was 18 on my taxes and support myself Luckily I am now 24 and will be applying this time around. It's frustrating that an adult with their own apartment is not considered an independent. I ended up working full time this year and paying for school out of pocket. I'm barely making ends meet and the financial part is stressing me out. My advice is to still apply for the FAFSA with your parents information if they allow you to use it( mine would not) you can still qualify for some government loans. And see if you can pay out of pocket or if you need to to take a loan out. Count every little expense gas, groceries, going out to eat, etc. I am going to see how much of a grant I get and go from there but may take out a loan just so I do not have to constantly worry about finances as much. But I also have good credit and no debt. Good luck and hang in there.

[sillywilly]

You can move into a cheaper place to save money while you are in school. Either get a studio apartment or just rent a room from someone. You may be able to find rooms for rent with all of the utilities included.

[Skips, MSN, RN]

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.

Great idea! However, if you do this, be sure you can have clients that are flexible with your schedule. I am a home health aide, and I had to cut down on my hours for school because they wanted me there during the time I was in school.

[Skips, MSN, RN]

I pay for school with student loans and savings. Not fun! haha

[hello sammi]

I know I'm late, but if you have children you are NOT a dependent and you do NOT have to use your mother's income.

Right now, the Federal Government is paying for my education.