What to do ? I think im BEYOND Screwed :(

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Jan 19, 2009

Looks like the "needs" are going to have to take precedence over the "wants" for a while.

It seems like the only thing you can do, and the only right thing to do, is get a job and pay off your debt to the first school. So you had some problems, it's not their fault. Perhaps you could call their finance office and negotiate the debt down to something more affordable, but you need to pay it off. Get a job. Get any job, and take care of this. I know, probably not what you want to hear, but I truly think that this is a test of your character and there isn't an easy way out. You are going to need to defer your dream for a while.

I really don't think it's a good idea to take out more debt to pay debt, even if you could find someone who would let you do that at this point in time. The problem will just snowball unless you get a grip of it.

Good luck.

smartin13 · Jan 19, 2009

If your grades were really that bad from your previous school why not start from scratch, it may be the best choice since it can be difficult to get into nursing programs with great grades yet alone some that you aren't so happy about. Also for your tuition look into grants or scholarships, there are tons out there and something might fit. Are there any hospitals of facilities nearby that would pay your tuition for you? I currently work in a hospital that has tuition reimbursement for anyone that has worked here for over 9 months. This way I make money and get my school paid for (mostly).

Good luck!

BellasMommyOBRN · Jan 19, 2009

if your grades were really that bad from your previous school why not start from scratch, it may be the best choice since it can be difficult to get into nursing programs with great grades yet alone some that you aren't so happy about. also for your tuition look into grants or scholarships, there are tons out there and something might fit. are there any hospitals of facilities nearby that would pay your tuition for you? i currently work in a hospital that has tuition reimbursement for anyone that has worked here for over 9 months. this way i make money and get my school paid for (mostly).
good luck!

even if the op starts from scratch, he will still have to send his transcripts which obviously means paying off the debt. it is illegal not to send your transcripts. to the original poster: i agree with one of the other responses, talk to the school you owe the debt to. maybe they can offer a payment plan? or maybe if you pay a certain amount, see if they will send your transcripts. explain your situation. some schools offer "academic forgiveness" programs which help your gpa.

don't give up yet, there has to be something out there for you.

good luck

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

Basically, you made your bed, now you have to lie in it. Now sure how old you are, but it doesn't matter. You are old enough to understand that you need to take responsibility, and turn your situation around.

Get a job, get any job, and start paying the loan off. It is NOT going to go away. And yes, it is unfortunate that you are essentially paying for a crappy transcript. Did you actually take any nursing classes on it? Do you have any credits that would transfer? Everyone makes mistakes, and there are schools out there that would perhaps turn the other cheek. You just have to own up to the fact that you were young and made poor decisions (and do not blame it on your roommate, even if it was his fault). Take this time to work and make some money. It sounds like you live with your parents, no? Take advantage of free (or low cost) room and board while you can. Go to a community college and start taking some core courses (English, Psych, sociology), one at a time if that's all you can afford.

You are not beyond screwed. You have plenty of time to turn yourself around, if you put your mind to it.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Talk to each school, explain the situation. Sometimes the schools may be willing to cut your bill in half, or give a little leeway.

I agree with the others, you will probably have to get a job, budget your expenses, and just go out and take care of it. ALL extra money, including gifts, should go to paying your bill so you can get out from under it.

I have a lot of old debt that I was under for a while. However, after a lot of dedication, I was able to pay off some stuff...still had to have a charge off and settle up with another company about collection....

it's part of being a adult...sucks, I know..but you can use the expierence to build your character. good luck.

theneedthewant · Jan 22, 2009

Thank you to everyone that has replied. I'm currently 20 this all happened when I was 18. A lot of good idea's. To Nurse Educate, No, no nursing classes just basic classes. I personally think my major problem is I want it right now and when you really look at it it's just not going to happen for me. It's funny though, I look around at all my friends I went to HS with and they are all in school doing well and well I just feel like a total failure and it just sucks.

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Jan 22, 2009

I really don't want to come off as patronizing, but it's actually good that you have made such a mistake when you have so much time to learn from it and correct it. When people keep making these mistakes in their 30s, 40s, 50s.... Well, I think you are getting the picture. Learn from it, fix it, and move on with your life. Good luck to you.

Mexarican · Jan 22, 2009

Well like the title says i'm pretty much screwed. My goals my Aspirations the need the want is in reach but it feels tremendously too far away. Maybe I can get some help here. Basically what has happened to me has been a lot of mistakes in a short period of time. It's not that I failed out of nursing school or got into trouble with the law its basically financial and frustration and stupidity.
I should start from the beginning. Well to be honest I think it all stems down from being in a bit of a hurry or a standstill because my family at the time was in the process of selling our house and this was back in '06. So it's December we finally fond a buyer and 2 weeks later we were gone to NC. Now at the same time I had a scholarship to Iona college and if I didn't attend in January I would have lost that. So feeling under pressure I went and I got put with the Worst room mate you could ever think of. He drank till 5:30am every night and it eventually caused me to fail everything. I got suspended from the school for a year and what's even worse is my tuition was still due about 14K with financial aid and without it is was 17K. I'm ashamed of myself for letting that happen. Now I got home and we eventually had to put my grandma in a nursing home and with that came me going to see her twice a week taking my dad to see his mom. Now don't get me wrong I have no problem doing it and it helped me getaway so to say and see her but it didn't allow me to get a job because whenever he went was always a different day. A year later she succumbed to her illnesses of High blood pressure, Diabetes, Leukemia, Dementia and a few others I believe but she finally looked like she was in peace.
So, the problem that I have is that I can't get my transcript even though unfortunately its horrendous and I don't want it to be see even though regardless of it I would have to start from scratch. I really don't know who to turn to where to go how to get help to pay that tuition bill that I have so I can get my transcript. I wish a lot that I never went so I would be able to do what I want A LOT easier. And in this economy who is going to give you a loan ? which makes everything else so much more worse and only compounds the problem. Any help would be Greatly appreciated And I know this probably isn't in the right place so if anything move it to the right place please. And to add that i'm currently in NC but im desperately wanting to move back home to nyc. I even have a job waiting for me there when I graduate...IF I can
Rob

if you can't pay the tuition bill...i think it may be best to go back to the same school and continue on if they let you...cause it seems that any other school may not take you becasue of that situation needless to say that transcripts will not be released. Many times your can petition the school to reinstate you. Then ask them for a payment plan to pay your original bill as you continue going to school there. When you owe school that amount of money then you really can only go back to that school...because they can get you on a payment plan and give you the education you seek. If you get back on track with them then you can apply for Federal loans and grants to help you pay for your current tuition. I had a friend who messed up just like this and she did the exact same thing i'm telling you. It worked like a charm. She went back and asked for forgiveness (reinstatement), payment plan, and started taking classes there again with new financial aid.

Mex

flyingchange · Jan 22, 2009

It's true. MUCH better to have screwed up credit choices when you were 18 and owed $10k than when you were 45 and owed $100k!

Yep, gonna be a lot of work to get out from under all that debt, but it's a great lesson learned and it feels REALLY good when you're free. I've definitely been there!

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2009

Ok, you are ONLY 20! You have plenty of time to get this thing done, so take the time now to set yourself up for success in the future:

Don't take out more loans to pay off old debt. Take care of it the old fashion way. Get a job, get frugal and start paying off your old tuition like crazy. If you are in a hurry to get back into school, get two jobs and just tell yourself that 2009 is going to be about making money, not socializing or school. No, it's not fun working 60, 70, 80 hours a week, but people do it when they have to/want to.

Once you have the old debt paid off (or at least significantly reduced) KEEP working until you have a bit of savings built up. This will be your buffer in case any other emergencies come up while you are in school. A good rule of thumb is 3-6 months worth of expenses.

Once you've taken care of that, find out which school you can get into with the grades you have and work with what you got. A bad transcript doesn't mean nobody will accept you.

I know he's not for everybody (and I don't follow him to the "t") but a good book to maybe look at is "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey. Gives you some insight about securing yourself financially, regardless of income, so you never have to find yourself in this situation again. Won't that be a great feeling?!

shelbias · Jan 23, 2009

I agree with everyone. It's better to hve made mistakes when you're still young and foolish. If you do it later on, you're just simply foolish (can't use the being young excuse). Look at it on the bright side, there's no other way but up for you.

Sort this out with the former school and see if they an work out something for you. This is not the first time this happened to them so they possibly have some protocols in place. The earlier you do this, the better chance that they'll work with you better. Good luck!