Student going into Nursing program seeks help finding a way to pay for it

Maryraps20 · Sep 16, 2015

Hi there, I'm Mary and were on the same boat! Like you I finally realized helping people equally and compassionately is what I ought to do and I have decided to go back to school. I applied for a student loan and got approved and I am excited to rock the boat to pursue my profession. This might not be helpful for you but I just want to share my thoughts. Try applying for grants maybe?!

RoxyHeart · Sep 16, 2015

I completely empathize with your situation. I also ran out of funding for my last few semesters, but I will be graduating in December 2015 by persistence and stubbornness. It's not always easy but remember this is worth it and it's temporary.

I cut/reduced a lot of my bills by changing what I could like eliminating features on cell phone and cable plans, I refinanced my car for a lower payment, and, if you are able to use the option, I swallowed my pride and would get assistance from my family in helping to pay for books or other nursing supplies.

I'm not certain where you live at, but I also did a personal loan through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board which helped out tremendously and what I liked about this resource is that compared to personal loans through other vices (example- a bank), I do not have to start paying back on my loan until after I graduate which is what I really preferred. Look into state options and resources.

Also, you should talk to your nursing program as they may have resources like scholarships (local and national) they can refer you to that can help. I hope this helps and good luck! It's not impossible.

WCSU1987 · Sep 16, 2015

Have a degree already. Paying for my prerequisites mostly out of pocket. Current company gives me $2500-$5000 a year if I can achieve a grade B- or higher, with prerequisites higher grades is the only option.

Only have to take Anatomy 1 in the spring with Spanish, retake statistics in the summer and possibly go back for my EMT cert. in the summer, take Lifespan Development/Anatomy 2 in the fall, Microbioogy in the proceeding Spring, then take Chemistry in the proceeding Summer, and start nursing school in fall 2017.

Going to cash out my 401K pay off any credit debt I have and put the rest in emergency savings. From there going to apply for scholarships and FASFA. School cost about $20,000 grand so hopefully can get enough to cover at least half of that and the rest private loans.

Then my next plan is once get through the ADN/ASN become a nurse apply for a RN to MSN program. From what I understand can be eligible for graduate financial aid, can seek out scholarships, higher pay now a nurse, hopefully employer can put some money towards it, and maybe look into a government program to assist in paying for school.

That's my game plan to pay for school.

ahs2015 · Sep 16, 2015

How do you run out of student loan funding? Is there a cap? I'm just wondering because I have student loans I'm paying on as well and applying to go back for a BSN.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

How do you run out of student loan funding? Is there a cap? I'm just wondering because I have student loans I'm paying on as well and applying to go back for a BSN.

The undergrad cap is approx 53k. I was an older student (30) when I started prenursing. I was not able to receive loans to pay for school to complete my RN. So I instead attended community college, which is inexpensive. Plus I qualified for a fee waiver. Therefore, my tuition was $0.00!! My books do cost quite a bit (500-100/term) but I try not to complain because I don't pay tuition.

ahs2015 · Sep 17, 2015

Thanks for the explanation. I didn't realize there was a cap. I will have to do some quick calculations to see where I am at with my loans and if the cap will affect me.

tlee2017 · Sep 17, 2015

Hi. Thanks all for the comments:) I have no maxed out my financial aid but I am getting close. I was wanting to hold on to my federal aid in order to pay for the program once I got in. I already have undergrad degrees and was told Monday that I had to pay out of pocket for all my classes I am taking now because of those undergrad degrees. I am looking into private loans but did not want to pay them back while I was in school. I guess my best bet is scholarships? I was told Monday that I cant apply for pell grants or grants bc I have other degrees so there goes that issue. And if I go back to a 4 year university I am going to spend at least a year getting all the science courses they require for the program done before I can apply into the program. SO Im just trying to figure out what the best bet is? Do I continue to pay out of pocket for the next 2 years for my ADN or do I go to a University and get my BSN for 3-4 more years while applying for scholarships and using my financial aid?

ahs2015 · Sep 17, 2015

I went to community college and paid out of pocket for my pre-requisites. I am applying to a BSN program because hospitals in my area are looking for new hires to have a BSN as opposed to an ADN. See if you can find a program with a second Bachelor's Degree option or an Accelerated BSN. Since you already have a Bachelors you will not need a lot of the core classes. You will still need the science pre-requisites unless you completed those in your first degree and they aren't too old.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 19, 2015

You also have the option of a Sally Mae or other private loan. I think that their collection practices are brutal, their customer service is also poor, based on multiple friends complaints.

I did not take out private loans, only federally subsidized loans. But these loans are out there. I have several friends who utilized them, as well my college age daughter took some out.

Just be careful with them. If you have a hardship, the federally subsidized loan holders work with you more than Sallie Mae will. You have to pay Sallie Mae after you graduate.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2015

Hi. Thanks all for the comments:) I have no maxed out my financial aid but I am getting close. I was wanting to hold on to my federal aid in order to pay for the program once I got in. I already have undergrad degrees and was told Monday that I had to pay out of pocket for all my classes I am taking now because of those undergrad degrees. I am looking into private loans but did not want to pay them back while I was in school. I guess my best bet is scholarships? I was told Monday that I cant apply for pell grants or grants bc I have other degrees so there goes that issue. And if I go back to a 4 year university I am going to spend at least a year getting all the science courses they require for the program done before I can apply into the program. SO Im just trying to figure out what the best bet is? Do I continue to pay out of pocket for the next 2 years for my ADN or do I go to a University and get my BSN for 3-4 more years while applying for scholarships and using my financial aid?

Before going into this, I noticed the wording of "undergraduate degrees", meaning you possibly changed your interest several times during your education. Are you positive you want to get into nursing?

Ok while everyone wants to jump for a BSN, Why not get your ADN with the financial aid then once you get a job, you can get tuition assistance from the job, as more employers offer that as incentive for RN to get their BSN. Unless you have done research and your area hospitals do not hire ADNs...anyways its just a suggestion.

My personal route to nursing, I did my AA (first 2 years) at community college kept cost down which covered all my nursing pre-reqs got financial aid while I worked full-time, then I made sure i met requirements of several ADN and BSN schools. Applied and got into a BSN program at a public university which was only 5 semesters back to back. I quit my job for that part and ..yep took out student loans. I did get help from a grant via the local government employment office.

You can always try the Navy or Army, if thats your thing, they cover tuition and I think the Navy reserves pays a stipend as well...of course you will owe them once you graduate with agreed years of service.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2015

Get your STNA and then try to get into a hospital. Usually hospitals will pay for some of it. It may be cheaper to go the ADN route and then get a BSN portion. I shaved probably 20,000 to 30,000 off this route along with 10,000 off the MSN portion.