I'm talking about myself, actually. I've been researching many RN-BSN programs (stop laughing, BBFRN!), and I'm realizing that they're all pretty pricey. I know, news flash, right?! So being a spreadsheet girl, I sat down this morning and came up with an estimate for the program I want. I've realized that unlike my three previous degrees (3 Associates degrees = 1 Masters in Indecision!), I probably can't pay for this one out of my own pocket. Unless my pockets suddenly become lined with $1000 bills, of course.
My employer will pay for $3K/year, but that won't go too far. I figure I can match that figure myself, but again, that won't do it, either. I hate to be in debt, but ... ya know. I want this. And once I decide I want something, I'm pretty relentless. (*cough*Stubborn*cough* )
So I'm looking at student loans so that I don't have to stretch this sucker out over a few years. Anyone have any words of wisdom in this area? Good/bad experiences with student loans? (I've done the FAFSA, btw, and apparently I don't qualify for financial aid. Good to know I'm so freakin' wealthy! :chuckle)
I'm talking about myself, actually. I've been researching many RN-BSN programs (stop laughing, BBFRN!), and I'm realizing that they're all pretty pricey. I know, news flash, right?! So being a spreadsheet girl, I sat down this morning and came up with an estimate for the program I want. I've realized that unlike my three previous degrees (3 Associates degrees = 1 Masters in Indecision!), I probably can't pay for this one out of my own pocket. Unless my pockets suddenly become lined with $1000 bills, of course.
My employer will pay for $3K/year, but that won't go too far. I figure I can match that figure myself, but again, that won't do it, either. I hate to be in debt, but ... ya know. I want this. And once I decide I want something, I'm pretty relentless. (*cough*Stubborn*cough* )
So I'm looking at student loans so that I don't have to stretch this sucker out over a few years. Anyone have any words of wisdom in this area? Good/bad experiences with student loans? (I've done the FAFSA, btw, and apparently I don't qualify for financial aid. Good to know I'm so freakin' wealthy! :chuckle)
why do you not try the state university?
I am doing the RN-BSN online program at my local state university, and it is way way less expensive than any private college out there.
I get $4K/year, and that will probably cover most of my education, but I am going part time.
I am doing the RN-BSN online program at my local state university, and it is way way less expensive than any private college out there.
I'll be moving out west sometime in the middle of it, so I don't think that'll work, unfortunately. I checked out some of the state university's RN-BSN programs, and I'd have to repeat a lot of classes, which would cost me more in the long run. But I appreciate the input!!
Yea repeating some of the classes does stink. Thats why I took micro at my local college, because I knew I was going to go there when I was done with EC. I had all my supporting course through the community college. The only classes I am transferring in are the nursing classes from EC and INFO Lit.
luna, i just want to say reading your posts has given me soo much encourgement. i am a working mom and lpn for 8 years now. becoming an rn is a personal goal of mine. i just started life span and have so much more to go. i am worried about staying motivated and working on my own. how long did it take you from start to finish? any words of encourgement would mean the world to me.
Specializes in ER and family advanced nursing practice.
Good for you if decide to go back right away. You have the momentum keep it up. I took a year before I went back, and I wish I hadn't because I would be done now with my MSN. I am surprised that you don't qualify for some type of financial aid. I would talk about that some more with the financial aid counselor at the program you pick. There is good debt and bad debt, school loans are good debt. Many times employers offer loan pay back.
I didn't owe a dime when I graduated from EC. My old Colorado employer had 3000/year tuition reimbursement. I didn't reimburse my last little bit though so that when I graduated I didn't owe my hospital any time.
One school I have heard many good things about is the University of South Alabama program. They have several options: RN-BSN, RN-MSN, many flavors of masters programs, and a DNP program. I am pretty sure all of these programs are online with clinicals done locally.
Ivan, I didn't owe a dime, either. That was nice!!
I do want to keep going, and get started on the BSN sooner rather than later. I know myself ... I'm afraid if I take too much time off, it'll be easy to just let it slip completely, and then I'll be mad at myself for not doing it sooner. I've learned my lesson where that is concerned. There was a huge gap in my schooling -- I went to the U of MD in Munich from 1990-1992, and then I didn't go back to school again for 8 years, when I went to a CC for my P. The interval between paramedic school and EC was a bit shorter -- 3 years. I'm getting better!
how long did it take you from start to finish? any words of encourgement would mean the world to me.
one year, one month, and one day. i took my first exam on may 14, 2007, and completed the cpne on june 15, 2008. yeah, i was studying before may 14 (for a few months), but it sounds cooler to say one year, one month, and one day.
i found the best way to stay motivated was to schedule my exams for a few weeks out, then study up to that deadline. i spent more than a decade in a very deadline-driven profession, so i know i function best that way. i've been known to be a procrastinator, so it was important for me to keep going and not lose momentum.
Lunah, being the super researcher you are, you may already have looked at this....I was putzing around the Ohio BON website and they had some financial aid links to some really neat programs available. Maybe they would give you some ideas?
Lunah, being the super researcher you are, you may already have looked at this....I was putzing around the Ohio BON website and they had some financial aid links to some really neat programs available. Maybe they would give you some ideas?
I'll check it out!! The tough part is not knowing where I'll be when I finish the BSN, so anything state-specific is iffy. But definitely worth looking at. Thanks, C! :)
I am surprised that you don't qualify for some type of financial aid. I would talk about that some more with the financial aid counselor at the program you pick.
Apparently I'm being penalized for having money in savings. The FAFSA result estimated that I could spend $14K/year on my education. Yeah, sure; thanks, FAFSA, for revising the household budget! There should be a question on the FAFSA form that says, "How much of your savings are you actually willing to spend?"
I know, I need to just put on my big girl britches and deal with it. There are worse situations. :)
I am a new grad who had to finance her way through college and I ended up taking a home equity loan instead of a student loan. The advantage at the time was a lower interest rate and it is tax deductible (helps come April 15th)! With a home equity loan the money is very easy to access and you can use it for other expenses if needed. For example my commute to school was a bit lengthy and with gas prices so high I used the loan to cover the gas costs that would have been difficult to stretch the budget for. The downside is home equity loans are not deferred and you have to start paying them right away... but the payment was not too terrible... and it lowers the amount you owe in the end. For me, this type of loan made sense and some people forget they are available so I thought I'd mention it. Good luck!
I've been researching many RN-BSN programs (stop laughing, BBFRN!), and I'm realizing that they're all pretty pricey. I know, news flash, right?! So being a spreadsheet girl, I sat down this morning and came up with an estimate for the program I want. I've realized that unlike my three previous degrees (3 Associates degrees = 1 Masters in Indecision!), I probably can't pay for this one out of my own pocket. Unless my pockets suddenly become lined with $1000 bills, of course.
)
labrador4122, RN
1,921 Posts
why do you not try the state university?
I am doing the RN-BSN online program at my local state university, and it is way way less expensive than any private college out there.
I get $4K/year, and that will probably cover most of my education, but I am going part time.