I want to do this.

Published on October 10, 2007 By dharmagrl In Misc

I'm almost at the end of the classroom part of the course I'm taking. In a couple of weeks we'll be doing clinicals, and then, at the start of December...we'll be done.

I've been thinking about what I want to do next. The nursing program at the college I currently attend is full until Fall of 2009, so that's out of the question. I just don't have that kind of time. So, I've been looking for alternitives. And, I've found one. There's another college about 20 miles away from here that has an 11-month program that starts next July.

I meet the requirements. I've called for an application, and I'm going to set up a test date (aptitude and academic placement testing; it's a pre-requisite). There's only one thing standing in my way.

Money.

The course is almost ten thousand dollars. Ten grand. I don't have that kind of dough. Unless I can get a shit load of grants and scholarships and loans, I'm not going to be able to do it.

This is SO frustrating. I've called the Education office on base and am going over there next week to see if they have any ideas as to how I can get funding for this course. I'm hoping and praying that they'll have some ideas. I'd prefer not to finance ALL of it, but if that's what I have to do, then that's what I'll do.

Gah. I want so bad to do this, but my dream might come to an end all because of money. It's incredibly frustrating. However, I'm not giving up hope just yet.

Anyone got any ideas of how I can pay for this course?

Comments (Page 1)

Zoologist03

on Oct 10, 2007

You have any organs you're not using?

Scholarships, loans, and grants are all I know...luckily I've managed to keep my loans rather low. My tuition and cost of living and all that is about $36,000 a year...I can keep my loans under $10,000 per year so I'm fairly happy about that. I'll still have a shitload to pay back...but it could be a lot worse.

Good luck scrounging up some capital, it sucks major balls.

~Zoo

Gideon MacLeish

on Oct 10, 2007

I would check with hospitals and see if you can get in as a CNA to raise some of the scratch. See if they offer tuition reimbursement programs. Also, you may want to check with places like your state unemployment office. I would think (hope) there would be some kind of help out there for someone like you, especially in as high demand a field as nursing.

Meanwhile, our CC has a nursing program. I'll try to catch the director of nursing (a friend of mine) and see if she has any ideas. I'll let you know what I come up with.

SanChonino

on Oct 10, 2007

Let's start a "Make Dharma a Nurse" fund.

I'll contribute.

dharmagrl

on Oct 10, 2007

Good luck scrounging up some capital, it sucks major balls.

I know.

I would check with hospitals and see if you can get in as a CNA to raise some of the scratch

I'm already in a CNA class. Graduate in December. I've already been told I have a job as soon as I take the state exam, so I'll be able to come up with some of it. However, I'm not going to be able to come up with ten grand.

I'll contribute

Aww, bless your little heart! Thank you for volunteering...I'd be sure to pay you back in bed-baths (or something along those lines ) I'd wear my uniform for you too.....

MarcieMoo

on Oct 10, 2007

K~

I'm with Gideon. Lots of employers will offer tuition reimbursement, AND some might even send you to nursing school depending on how desperate they are for nursing staff (and there aren't many places who AREN'T desperate for nurses like you.

Keep plugging away, K. Not to sound condescending, but I'm so proud of you for following your dreams and finding what you're you're awesome at and going for it. Good for you, friend!

SanChonino

on Oct 10, 2007

I'd be sure to pay you back in bed-baths (or something along those lines ) I'd wear my uniform for you too.....

Hot.

Bothered.

PS Don't let Gene know - he'll pay for the whole thing with a promise like that! Er . . . on second thought, maybe you should.

Zoologist03

on Oct 10, 2007

I'd wear my uniform for you too.....

Dear Penthouse...

~Zoo

Trudygolightly

on Oct 10, 2007

Are Stafford loans still out there? they used to cover a lot of the money needed for students. You'd have to apply through the school if Stafford loans are still around.

Tova7

on Oct 10, 2007

Are you working?

I understand you are taking classes, but you can still get in a lot of hours at a paid job outside class. (Good practice for when you are a nurse and work hospital hours...heh.)

If you took two jobs, say for $7 an hour 40 hours a week, and one for 20 hours a week at $7...you could make $10,000 by July easy. And if you can't make it all (say you want to wait until Dec to start), you can still make a good chunk. That's about $1680 a month before taxes.

The Officer's Wives Club at most bases will give scholarships to spouses (only about $500-$2000). Heck, some places we can't even give the money away because no one applies. Most OWCs try to give them to enlisted spouses and military kids. I don't know how it is at your base, but it would def be worth checking out.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 10, 2007

Haha, I have a great idea. Dress up like a sexy nurse and give spongebaths for $50/bath! I'm so brilliant!

pseudosoldier

on Oct 10, 2007

You've already mentioned it, but the Education office is a great first step. 1) They're going to have information about DoD and Air Force specific programs that you may qualify for as a military dependent (the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program is mentioned on Military.com, but you'll have to get info from the Ed Center). 2) They're going to have the general information about the non-DoD specific student loans and grants that are out there. 3) And they may have an alternate plan that they can help you with; maybe it won't get done as fast (I know you want speed as a factor) but it might not cost as much. They'd at least know if there are any nearby SOC schools that might offer that program (or a similar one) for less money.

Best of luck.

Zoologist03

on Oct 10, 2007

Haha, I have a great idea. Dress up like a sexy nurse and give spongebaths for $50/bath! I'm so brilliant!

That's only 200 people.

~Zoo

MarcieMoo

on Oct 10, 2007

Ooooh...Okay...sometimes, too, if you WERE to take a loan (which I know blows), sometimes you can get some of it forgiven if you work for a period of time with a certain population or in a certain position. For instance, some of my Stafford loans could be paid off if I work in a low-income school for 4 years or something.

I consolidated all my federal loans, though, so I don't think that still applies. But at less than 3% interest, it's as close to free money as you can get.

Let us know what you find out, dearest.

dynamaso

on Oct 11, 2007

I don't have any advice to add, Dharma but wanted to show my support anyway. If someone does start a 'Nurse Dharma' fund, count me in. While I don't think I could afford a bed-bath (its not the price but the cost of the air fare), I'd pay for a photo

Texas Wahine

on Oct 11, 2007

I'll let her wash me TWICE! Haha.

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