Brielle11

I am currently in community college taking care of pre-requisites for their RN program (cna right now). I am twenty, looking at colleges for my rn-bsn because my college needs a list of schools when I am accepted into the nursing program (to make sure I am meeting their requirements as well).

My father makes $45000/yr, but has six children the FAFSA says are dependents. I live 1,000 miles from home, and get absolutely no aid from my parents. They do not have two pennies to rub together, to be clear. I was told by financial aid to start looking at student loans, because I would be lucky to get much of anything in the way of grants. (I am not looking for the government to give me a free ride, but with a 4.0 average thus far, and little money to my name, I think I deserve a little help. )

For community college, I am sure I can make it financially. University, not so much confidence. Trying to find a college that doesn't require the rn-bsn be taken online, with a reasonable price-tag, is proving impossible. Is 30k/yr for two years completely unreasonable, when I will be working as a nurse for those years?

mom2collegekids

What state are you in?

Since you're a transfer student, your best bets may be instate publics IF your state has state aid to add to federal aid.

Is there a state university close to where you live that offers a BSN?

You can only borrow $7500 each year for your jr and sr year. You probably also qualify for a $5500 fed Pell grant. If your state also gives aid, then that will help.

Pennylane2011

What state are you in? Most states have schools with nursing programs that should cost less than that. Will you be completing your RN at CC and then go to an RN-BSN program or transfer from CC to the BSN. As you know, different schools have different pre requisites. The RN- BSN may be a bit shorter if you can get the RN at CC.
Also- there are nursing scholarships that require you to stay in an underserved area for 2 years after nursing school. The financial aid office of nursing schools should be familiar with these. It's a good way to reduce your debt, and get 2 years of experience which helps in the job market. There are external scholarships as well, but they are usually smaller.

BobWallace

If your CC has Phi Theta Kappa, you need to be nominated and join. There are many scholarships at universities that are limited to Phi Theta Kappa members only.

With a 4.0 average, you may be able to get merit scholarships as a CC transfer student.

Brielle11

I am in Illinois. It seems that most state/public schools only offer online courses. I was considering going for my bsn in New York State, as I plan to end up in the city eventually, but the ideas of out-of-state fees and trying to get my license transferred in such short time doesn't thrill me too much.

I am getting my rn at CC. With the way my advisor explained it, financial aid won't cover me at all if I transfer before getting a degree.

thumper1

Any chance you can get your RN at your community college, then get a job? You could pursue your BSN part time while working.

Brielle11

That is the plan, however 30k is still a stretch, don't you think?

Erin's Dad

Are you considered in-state for IL since you live 1000 miles from home?

Brielle11

"Home" is Florida, I should have mentioned. I have lived in Illinois with my aunt as a roommate for two years. I pay my own bills, and am basically independent, but of course the FAFSA choses to be ridiculous

juillet

If you are a Florida resident, why can't you do an online RN-to-BSN program from a Florida state university? Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, and University of West Florida all offer this program. You can do your clinicals at home in IL where you live and take the classes online, and it would cost you the amount of a FL resident. They are all accredited programs, so you can maintain your licensure. Or if you are already thinking about moving, you can move to Florida and begin studying immediately, since you are already a Florida state resident.

Given that you are 20 - that is going to be a barrier. My original suggestion is to move to NYS and work for 1-2 years as an RN to establish residency, then apply to a CUNY or SUNY RN-to-BSN program. But you will be considered a dependent student and likely a resident of Florida until you are 24 years old. I mean, you could move to New York and live there for 4 years until you turn 24, working as an RN until then, and then return to school if you wanted then.

Oh, but to answer your question - assuming that you are talking about a 2-year course of study to finish the BSN, that's about $60K a year (assuming that $30K is the whole cost of attendance). Bachelor's educated nurses can reasonably expect to make about that much, as the median salary for registered nurses is something like $66K right now. So I don't think that's too much to borrow for a BSN, provided you finish the program and actually work as a nurse. Especially if you intend to move to NYS; nurse salaries are quite high here in the NYC area.

cptofthehouse

GIven how well you have done already in your courses, and given the job market for an RN, I don't think borrowing $30K/yr is too much to get a BSN. But can you even borrow the money? At age 20, you are still dependent on a parent when it comes to financial aid for college. Unless you find a program willing to give you in-house loans for the difference, you can only get federal loans that are far less than $30K per year. Going private will involve a credit worthy cosigner willing to be on the hook for all of that money sitting on the credit report until every cent is repaid. It's not like signing for a car loan that's paid in 3-5 years with collateral, is diminishing, and not nearly that amount. If you can get that loans, good for you, go for it.

mom2collegekids

Cpn....I disagree. $60k in debt for a BSN is too much. Not only that, but who would co-sign that much in loans?

Also, it's NOT necessary for anyone to borrow that much for her last 2 years.

She could work for 4 years as a RN, reach 24 and establish residency in the state where she's working/living.

Or she could do online thru a Florida school where she seems to have instate rates.


Brielle....did you pay OOS rates for ILL cc?

Brielle11

I am an Illinois resident. I am registered to vote, have my id, got my address changed at the social security office.

I am also avoiding online courses. My high school experience was entirely online, and I could not stand it. Rates for online classes at, say, Illimois State, are much less than 30k/yr, but I am being forced to look at private colleges, for an in-classroom setting.

thumper1

Brielle...no one is forcing you to go to a private university to obtain a BSN. That is your choice.

You may have your drivers license, etc in Illinois, but for tuition purposes...are you still considered a Florida resident because that is where your parents reside?

mom2collegekids

Why don't you get your BSN at a Ill public?

CCs use different standards to determine residency. Universities may not consider you an Ill resident, even with a DL and voting. They may still consider you a resident of Florida for tuition and aid purposes.