Ways to pay for school

mirandaaa · Jul 30, 2015

Firstly, and I can't stress this enough, DO NOT use the pre-approved credit cards from the mail. If you read the fine-print, they usually come with INSANE interest rates, rules, and fees, not to mention tons of little loopholes. Shred/burn them immediately.

Secondly, when you apply for FAFSA and it said you're eligible for $10,500 a year, it's coming from the government and it is legitimate.

You can take out loans through FAFSA and depending on some of your personal information, you'll get either unsubsidized or subsidized loans and they differ in the sense that one starts accumulating interest from the day it's awarded and the other doesn't accumulate any interest until you've completed school. Try getting loans through FAFSA first.

You can also speak to your school and see if they offer student loans and if not, where they suggest you apply for them. If you do have good credit, you can try applying for Sallie Mae or Wells Fargo. High interest rates, but another option.

Good luck.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2015

If you are going to borrow money get all the FACTS before you do it. Start crunching numbers. Percentage points matter. If you borrow 20K you may end up actually paying back 30K. 6-7K I would say is worth it for sure as long as the hospitals in your area hire new grad ADNs. I am a huge believer in the BSN and the doors it opens. However if you are broke do what you need to do.

honeyforasalteyfish · Jul 30, 2015

There are some great online BSN programs in my area. The hope was to get hired on in 6 months, and hopefully have some one help pay for my BSN. It means I am going to have to work my but off, but I was working my but off at ATT, and I would rather pursue this. There are some great RN to BSN programs in my state so its not like the opportunity isn't there I just have to dedicate myself to this. I am hoping if I cannot find a job right away I can defer the loans while I get my BSN, but I would rather go to work as quickly as possible. Since my parents are nearing the age where they might want to retire soon, and some one is going to have to help them out. I really haven't helped myself by waiting so long to pursue this, but there are a few things working in my favor. So I intend to take advantage of them, and I have done well in my prereqs so I am crossing my fingers I can score well on the teas test. Worst comes to worst my GPA is high enough where I can enter into a university as a Junior, and try again. My final prereq also finalizes my associates. So If I cannot get in I intend on going to a university with a nursing program, and try there. I would rather go the ADN route though. I want my BSN someday, but I don't have all the time in the world at my age so anything that puts me to work quicker, and for less money is a good idea in my mind. Plus my mother is thinking of selling the house, and getting a two flat with me if/when I can complete my ADN. Then I just have to keep working my tail off. This takes pressure off her since she can then pay the mortgage easier since I will be on the loan for the new two flat. I got it planned out what I want to do, but it means I have to study my but off, and work hard. I will someday own the house myself, and I get to take care of my mother personally. After all I honestly don't know how I would do this without them I am forever indebted to them for letting me go this route.

honeyforasalteyfish · Jul 31, 2015

I actually live in Chicago metro, and have heard mixed reviews about the market hear for new grads. I think I will end up having to get my BSN at some point. We will see.

myelitenurse2b, LPN · Jul 31, 2015

Fafsa is a great option for a government loan [which is more than likely the 10.5k reference] or even contacting your financial aid office to see if they have any available scholarships, grants or a Perkins loan. Other available scholarships; perhaps through a local community fund or scholarship site.

turtlesRcool · Jul 31, 2015

There is probably someone in your community college who can go through your options with you. It might be someone in the counseling office or the bursar's office or somewhere else, but you really need to find out what you are actually eligible for. Call up and make an appointment ASAP.

FAFSA's determination that you are eligible for aid (could be grants or loans) is important. Now go in and see someone who can give you more details on what you can realistically expect. We are not experts here, and we don't know your situation in the depth we'd need to make a determination (and you don't want to post those particulars on a public board anyway). You need to sit down with someone who really knows the system, and go through the details of your personal situation.

And, no, it's not ludicrous that they would offer you $6-7K. That's actually a drop in the bucket compared to what people at 4-year universities are taking out. Student loans are backed by the federal government, and you cannot discharge them in bankruptcy. So if you stop paying, the lender can go after your paycheck until the loan is paid back, even if you declare bankruptcy, even if you don't finish the degree. Basically, they are going to get their money from you somehow, so they're happy to lend it. Once you start working as an RN, you should be able to pay back $6-7K pretty easily.

honeyforasalteyfish · Jul 31, 2015

Thanks everyone I suppose I am rather in the dark about the entire process since I have been paying out of pocket trying to minimize debt. Since I have had friends whose lives have been ruined by student debt. I think the reward is worth the risk however. I suppose I do get overly frivolous about my personal information. It will mean not finishing is not an option for me however. I suppose the extra motivation will help though. This much was repeatedly stressed to me however get the subsidized loans if you can. I have to get in first which means doing well on the teas test, and finishing with an A in my last science prereq, but I think it is feasible for me. That I might get in. I am by no means the best candidate, but I think I have got a shot. I don't know what I am going to do if I don't score well on the TEAS tes. Its months away, and I am already freaking out about it. I have every confidence I can get an A in my last prereq since it will be the only class I am attending, but I am also doing a CNA course, and then I have to work part time as a math tutor, and peer mentor. The whole process is freaking me out. I don't know what I am going to do if I cannot get in. So far the fear of not getting in has kept me motivated

turtlesRcool · Aug 2, 2015

I don't know what I am going to do if I don't score well on the TEAS tes. Its months away, and I am already freaking out about it.

Why don't you take the TEAS now? I don't know the policies for the school you want to attend, but the schools here accept your best score no matter how many times you take it, so there's nothing to lose by taking it more than once. Once you take it, you should get a report of how you did on each section, so you can study that material. There are even TEAS prep materials, if you do really horribly.

It seems like it might put your mind at ease to know where you stand and what, if anything, you need to work on. Then you can make a practical plan to address any weaknesses. Then take it again, and again if necessary.

With both the financial issue and the TEAS issue, it seems like you have a tendency to worry about things that are far in the future and for which you don't have all the necessary information. Generally, it's better to see where you stand with a potential problem before you start worrying about it. Just speaking for myself, when I don't have all the facts, I can easily worry myself sick with scenarios that almost always turn out to be worse than reality. For right now, my advice is to make it your priority to get an accurate picture of your financial options and your academic standing, and go from there.

Good luck!

honeyforasalteyfish · Aug 21, 2015

The problem is my target program doesn't open up the teas test again until October. This however works for me since my BNA course ends in October, and at the time I will be taking only one other class. My final prereq for the program. I will be working part time, and volunteering as well. So while the first 9 weeks of school is going to be brutal. The timing of my TEAS test could not be more perfect. Because I will have oodles of time to study with only one class a part time job, and 5 hours volunteering. Everything seems to be lining up nicely, and for that I am grateful.