Studen Loans Question!

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Hey guys!

So currently i am attending community college for my prerequisite classes and others on the side to get more points. I learned that I would need to find another job with flexible hours. So besides that I was approved for enrollment waivers which is awesome but no grants and I would still have to pay for health fees and lab fees and books. The financial aid advisor said to worry about student loans until you go to nursing school since some classes require to not work. My main questions is, have any of you started with student loans even while doing the prerequisites? I have heard many different things about loans. What would be SO great is to just mainly go to school with a small part time job on the side, but I am unable to do that to stay within living means. Please share your experience with student loans it would be really helpful!

-Sharon

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Hi. I have student loans out while in pre-nursing. I have never heard of loans that do not want you to work while attending school. Be mindful of what bank you use. Wells Fargo requires you to pay back after 4 years or within graduating, whichever comes first. So if you take a loan out and don't get right into your program, you could owe. I went with Sallie Mae, I don't pay until I graduate. You just need to do your research and read fine print: -)

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I have taken out student loans while taking pre-reqs as well. The loans I've taken out don't require you to start paying back until you graduate or drop out of school. Get them if you need them but be mindful of how much you decide to take out. They can be a good thing but they can also come back to haunt you. You should try to keep your student debt as minimal as possible.

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Yes I have. I take out the full amount of stafford loans each semester, because I live off of them as well. I start my nursing program in January.

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I have taken out stafford loans during pre reqs. I have 2 small kids and I am taking away as little from our family budget as possible to cover school. I don't qualify for any federal financial aid but did get a small book scholarship and a small grant from my school after staying on the deans list. So as much as I hated the idea of taking out loans it is the best option for us at the time. plus it allows me to get thru school....still be mom and not worry about working too which i am extremely thankful for since I have already given up a LOT of time with my kids since starting school

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I have taken out loans for my prerequisites. I don't have very much that I had to take out though. My school is a direct lender and I take out the stafford loans through them. After I had my son, I was eligible for grants.

Loans are not bad if you're borrowing what you need. If it's going to get you through school, you have to do it. Just make sure you know all your terms and conditions for each loan.

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I took out the max amount of loans each semester, and lived on them. It made if possible to spend my time with my son, and it was worth it to me.

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I take out the max each semester while finishing up my prereqs. I use them to help w the bills and such. It's the only way I can attend school bc with two small children I can't do work,School and be a good mom. I commend those that can do it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I decides to become a nurse with student loan debt already from started but not completed degree attempts. I did make the choice not to add on to my debt while taking prereqs but only because I was married and looking at our long term big picture.

If I had been single I would have taken out loans. In fact, when he did decide to end our marriage while I was taking prereqs I did start looking into taking out loans.

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I maxed out my loans last year after I had a family member pass away-- balancing work, grieving, and school was just too difficult. I also took out some loans over the summer because a grant I receive isn't available during summer. Between grants and work-study, I haven't had to take anymore loans, but I probably will in the future, once my classes are more difficult.

If you can, get a work-study job! Work-study is very flexible with school and usually pays fairly well (mine is almost $11/hr).

If you're eligible, pursue only subsidized Stafford loans while doing your per-reqs. Subsidized loans do not acquire interest while in school, which is especially helpful since you have at least another 2 years ahead of you. If you don't qualify for subsidized, unsubsidized has an interest rate of 3.86%. That is much lower than most private loans (Sallie Mae, Wells Fargo, ect.)

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My interest with Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo is much lower than the subsidised loans. My rate is 2.39%. All depends on your credit history.

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My interest with Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo is much lower than the subsidised loans. My rate is 2.39%. All depends on your credit history.

Ah, that's true. If you have good credit, private loans can be a better option. But I though Sallie Mae's interest rates recently went up?

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