Financial Aid, College, and being broke.

[swerve]

I just called the school and a counselor is going to call me back within the hour supposably,
I'm thinking I can ask him some questions. I hope I can figure out what to say without sounding stupid.
I guess it can't hurt to ask.

Don't even WORRY about sounding stupid -- basically YOU are the potential CUSTOMER -- they NEED students to stay in business...

THEREFORE, they will be EXTREMELY helpful in trying to answer all of your questions...

I THINK this is a GREAT idea for you!!!

BEST OF LUCK...

 

[Ekim23]

Don't even WORRY about sounding stupid -- basically YOU are the potential CUSTOMER -- they NEED students to stay in business...

THEREFORE, they will be EXTREMELY helpful in trying to answer all of your questions...

I THINK this is a GREAT idea for you!!!

BEST OF LUCK...

I second that
Did u get the chance to go over and ask em or it's useless ?
i need an update

 

[Huskerboy]

I agree with Trans - you're the prefect candidate for getting financial aid! True, there are some hoops to jump through to get it, but it is well worth your time!

Another avenue you might explore is partial funding by health foundations. When my other half went back to get his RN degree, our local hospital foundation PAID for 1/2 his tuition and all his books as long as he agreed to come back to their facility once he was licensed. In a deal like that you've got financial assistance AND a job waiting for you when you're done!

There are lots of avenues to explore when it comes to getting assistance for education. Check with colleges in your area - especially those who are accredited for nursing education. You might even consider getting your LPN license and getting a job to build up your finances a bit before going for your RN. Take it in steps. It draws things out a bit, but you're making money and learning on the job - and that experience will help make the rest of your education experience much easier. Be sure and check with hospitals in the area, too. They've usually got funding available to help you along the way.

If you're serious about becoming a nurse, you've made a great career choice. Healthcare jobs - especially nurses, are recession-proof careers. The demand is high, but so are the hours. It's a job not everyone can do, and it takes a special person. However, if you've got the desire, and what it takes to be a good nurse, you can just about write your own ticket!

Hang in there... you're on the right path!

 

[hopnung]

I don't have much time to write a response, but my short suggestion is research and apply for as many scholarships as possible.

Someone nominated me for one, and I got it (surprise to me) and it paid for my books for 2 years (it was 1200$)

They range from local ones to national ones... I would say to Google "college scholarships", but that probably won't work, with all the crap on the internet these days. (That used to work back when I was in HS, but no longer).

Good luck!

 

[cm98059]

XXChrisXX
I have had to go back to college recently, so I have some experience with the process.
1. Yes, you are going to be broke. It is a given, college students are broke.
2. Look at your local schools. See what courses they offer, and make sure they are acredited.
3. Fill out your FAFSA. You can fill it out online: www.fafsa.gov
4. Apply for admission. Sometimes 4 year colleges and universities require a specific GPA, but usually at a Community College this is a formality.
5. Once you get your Student Aid Report (SAR) Take this to the financial aid office at the college. They will let you know if they need any other paperwork. The SAR tells you what financial aid you are eligible for.
6. Look up the local GSBA. There may be some scholarships available that may help you.
Chris

 

[JSB_01]

Well good luck tomorrow!
A bit of advice, though. If you get loans, make sure you keep track of them. They'll add up quickly, and before you know it you can be in a ton of debt. I'm about to graduate and have a plenty of debt to last me years.

But as mentioned before, the FAFSA is the way to go. And I think nursing is a pretty good field to get into (or so I've heard!)

 

[clumsy_passerby]

Fill out your FAFSa, like the guys before me said.

But also, consider your local community college. I think it's a great stepping stone for you, specially since it seems like you're still not sure what you want to major on.

 

[Cayden]

This has all probably been said before, but I'll say it anyway.

FAFSA is the first step, no matter where you go. It's the only way you can get any financial aid.

Go to community college and get your Associate's degree, in whatever you want. Get good grades, then transfer to a university. I would suggest applying to private schools, they're harder to get into, but they have a TON more money than public universities.

Then you can graduate! I hope that helps

 

[Ekim23]

good Luck .

 

[hotatlboi]

FAFSA is the first step, no matter where you go. It's the only way you can get any financial aid.

Just a clarification. FAFSA is the only way to get federal loans. You can get private student loans outside of that. But in the OP's case, he should definitely be looking at federal since they are more beneficial to low income level borrowers.

 

[versatastic]

So your mom doesn't work currently and hasn't made that much in the past, and neither do you. How much did you make in the past year? Does your mom's boyfriend claim you as a dependent on his taxes? Does he make much? You will probably get a good amount of financial aid, but you might have to supplement it with loans if you can't find a job.

One thing, though, is that you just moved to another state. I think you might need to establish residency to get financial aid for a public school, which usually means you have to have lived in the state for two or more years unless you're military.

 

[pocono]

First CONGRATULATIONS!

Seems like you have a plan. That's a great first step.

Make an appointment and go to the community college or a school close to you and talk to the admissions folks.

1) Be honest with them...didn't work hard in HS but now have a direction (may want to skip the drug part).
2) Be nice...look them in the eye.
3) Ask Questions...they will take that as interest. No question....really no question...is dumb. Ask away!. The admissions counselor you are talking with may end up being your advocate with the admissions and financial aid bosses...so you want them to like you.
4) When you are finally in school...study your ass off.

Good Luck!

Um...yeah...I work at a college.

 

[seven_sins]

Some states have scholarship programs linked to a state lottery. I know students who said that they actually came out ahead after 4 years on lottery scholarships. Of course, you have to be a resident of the state.