Too poor to become a nurse?

[WannaBeNrse]

Hi,

I am really bound and determined to go thru with this college thing- because if i dont do it now, i think i will always regret it.... BUT here's the problem- we don't really have the money for college. We have two little kids and a very limited income, right now we make just enough to brake even at the end of the month, so there really isn't any money left for tuition.

So i am considering taking out loans but i am not sure..... on one hand.... i feel selfish getting my family in debt.... on the other hand.... if i dont get a decent education, we will probably always be stuck where we are.... we just organized our life backwards ;-) got pregnant when i was in my second year of college (with a foreign language major--> dead end), and now everything is so much harder.... but i am so sick of only looking for the jobs that dont require anything, sick of not being able to pay my dental bills (dont laugh- i needed two crowns after my pregnancy and this is not even funny), not being able to save for my kids' future....

i will probably have to put my girls in daycare, at least part-time, because nursing classes are only in the morning. there are daycare grants, but as with all the financial aid, i don't want to rely on that alone.

Sooo.... is it worth taking out loans? how do you finance school? my college here charges about 150/credit, so the entire program will come to at least 10,000, and that doesnt include any books yet....

[DUECSON]

Someone mentioned FAFSA, go to fafsa.ed.gov for the official website. You shold have your tax information with you because they will need this information. Your filed taxes are better. I believe there is a lot of scholarships that can help you also. Check to see if there is a foundation at your school for those who need financial assistance. Some schools have a foundation that little people know about. You can do it, don't allow obstacles to get in your way, because trust me things will happen, but presevere through it all. I started LPN school when my youngest was 4 weeks old. I was already hormonal, I was blessed to find a teacher that told me to fight the good fight of faith. Wow, that day I had planned on dropping out because I didn't have the money or materials that I need. The instructor made a couple of call and needless to say the dean of Instructor walked me to the book store with his own personal chheckbook. I lie not. He told me if I needed help for the rest of my program to apply for a scholarship that he was apart of the board. I got financial help every semester. Yes, I had pell, but my pell wasn't enough.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

But everyone who responded to my post is probably right- it will be worth it in the end. my kids are really little, they're 1 & 3 right now, so when i am done they'll still be young (probably about 6 & 8 if things go somewhat like i plan). i figure they dont get really expensive until they're teenagers, so i got some time yet

Having waited until my kids were older to go back to school the first time, let me say this is a very valid point....there really is NEVER a time when your kids won't need your time -- high school was almost as demanding as the elementary years time-wise what with chauffeuring, sports, other activities, etc....and believe me, the financial demands are unbelievable compared to what I remember of my high school days!! Do this while they're young if you've got the support and understanding of your husband. The two of you won't regret it!!

[JaxiaKiley]

I think it's worth it because you are trying to make a better life for your family.

[luvmyguys]

Hi-I have to say that we are dirt, dirt, sleeping with the worms poor!! BUT, I am totally invested in seeing this through and so is my husband. He does whatever it takes so that I can just study and take care of our kids. At first, I felt really quilty, but he always reassured me that how it is now, is not forever. And that if anything happened that made me quit-it very much could be. So, with that-I don't consider my education a debt-I see it as an investment that will make a profit in the future and better my family's position. (not to mention make me the FIRST in my family to go to college):roll

Next quarter, I actually start the nursing program, up till this point, I have been taking mostly night classes bc we can't afford childcare. So, we are setting aside whatever we get from our tax refund and enlisting the inlaws!

And, I try not to think "well, what about next quarter" -cause that will just stress me and hubby out!!

The financial aid site is your best option-I sell stuff on ebay for gas money-which helps a lot. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

[Sillynicunurse]

I took my pre-reqs at my local community college for a 78.00 per credit hour so that the only things I would have to take at the college of nursing were nursing courses. I did have to take out loans to pay for those since it is over 400.00 per credit hour (gulp). It will be worth it in the end.

[futurern123]

My mom went back to school to finish her degree (she had dropped out for personal reasons) for 2 years when I was in elementary school. It was hard on the family and my parents had to take out loans but it was for the best. She had to drive about an hour each way to college and it was difficult for everyone I won't lie-- but it was completely worth it. If my mom hadn't finished her degree there would be no way my parents would be able to afford my tuition or my sister's.

If you want to do it, you can. It will pay off!!!!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!

[hiep]

:pumpiron: just another guy that would like to support you.

I'm somewhat in similar situation, but I got supports from alot of people. File FAFSA as soon as possible. During filing FAFSA, you can choose options I'm interested in "Workstudy" or "Loans" or "Both". Even if you're not qualified for Pell Grants, other Grants are still available(such as Academic Competitiveness Grant, State Grants). Then Loans go after everything else. Talk with the Financial Office's administrators/advisors, they will help.

Good lucks to you, dear.

Best regards & sincere to you & your loved ones,

H.

[kasia2]

Very good topic, Im also struggeling with money and im thinking about quitting my job once I get accepted in May, but its not that simple because i also have a lot of bills ( especially cc and phone contract for another 2 years) but im also conscious of the fact that I need flexible schedule to study, i dont want to have all this stress and go to work on sunday while i have huge test on monday, well ok maybe i will work 1 or 2 days time will tell...but my problem is that I have not so good credit because i made few late payments on my credit card and also once i didnt make last payment when i was cancelling my membership with one of the cell phone company, i know i have bad credit cause i checked, however I really need apply for private loan ( my mom offered to pay for my nursing education but i dont want to a financial burden to her cause she is arleady have huge debts herself) I want to borrow K20 if possible, im just scared that i will be turned down by all the private loan institution due to low credit points...Also is useless for me to apply for FAFSA because i arleady have an associate degree in general education so they told me im disqualified.

[MamaGyrl]

I can definately relate to your situation. I am 26 also and a single parent of a 4 yr old son and 3 yr old daughter. I am unemployed right now but thankfully I am receiving unemployment until at least mid-July. My funds are very very limited right now, but anything worth thinking or praying about is worth attempting. I am and was in the same predicament a couple of yrs ago. I made up my mind to attend an LPN school in DC, but had no idea how I would pay for it, still keep my apt, and care for my children during the yr I was in school. I prayed long and hard about the decision and I know in the long run it will benefit me and my children and its what I really want to do with my life. So when I really made up my mind I begin to slowly work out how I would still handle my motherly duties. Thankfully I have family and friends and my kids dad is in the picture, so things won't be easy but it takes a little stress off of me. I saved most of my income taxes to put the down payment for school and I set-up daycare for my children until they begin Pre-K and Head Start in Sept. And I had to apply for a loan for the $8500 tuition. I went into this with alot of things not in order but for me when I made my mind up to go back it seems ironic that some things are working out for me. I still have many things to deal with. How am I gonna take care of me and my family when my unemployment runs out, but sometimes you have to deal with issues when they come about because my thought and feeling about most things in life are, "If you do all you can with what you have even if it may seem so small to you, things will work out in the long run!" There may not be light at the end of the tunnel for a while but it does get better eventually. Oh and the LPN program for me begins May 1st. It will be a very long hard yr but well worth the wait. I pray things will work out for you and just try to work out as much as you can and things will fall in place for you believe me.

[RN BSN 2009]

your income after graduation will make up for that original debt!

[MB37]

kasia - you should still fill out a FAFSA. You may not be eligible to receive a Pell Grant to go for a second degree of the same level, but you should be able to receive loans. They'll be at a better rate than a private loan with poor credit. In addition, your school may offer scholarships, and normally to be considered for ANY aid, you need to have filled out a FAFSA.

[gt4everpn, BSN, RN]

I'm feelin the cost of college as well, its atleast 2x that for me, but anyway go for it. The money you'll make will be able to pay off your loan debt. Best of luck to you, in all you do kids and school alike!