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Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
11/3/11 12:56 p.m.

I'm not understanding how your credits can keep you from getting a loan. Federal student loans are based on age and income, aren't they?

I'm not saying you are wrong, it's been 18 years since I worried about any of that stuff, so it has all probably changed.

Ranger50
Ranger50 Dork
11/3/11 1:00 p.m.

Because I already have an Associates in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The gubmint wants you to be progressing to a BS/BA...I am going for another associates, plus I have 160-something credits already. I've maxed out the 1.5 times limit on my degree.

donalson
donalson SuperDork
11/3/11 2:55 p.m.

Because right now I go to class 9-3 Monday, 9-130-ish Tuesday, and then I have clinicals or lab skills and subsquent checkoff the following week on Wednesday afternoons. Used to have to go to lab on Thursday too.

so you've got a short day on Mon, a short day on Tues, and applied on Wed...

is that right?... or did i misunderstand?...

either way... if you are getting done by 4pm every day (or even some days but they are consistent) apply to every pizza shop in your area... the schedule is flexable (i've known them to hire people that could only work fri/sat) and the money is good for what little work you do... and the best part is cash nightly... yes it's not a lot but 10-15/hr for minimal work is more then you'll find most anywhere else

Mental
Mental SuperDork
11/3/11 4:35 p.m.
Ranger50 wrote: Because I already have an Associates in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The gubmint wants you to be progressing to a BS/BA...I am going for another associates, plus I have 160-something credits already. I've maxed out the 1.5 times limit on my degree.

I think you need to re-engage your schools finiancial advisors on this. I don't think that's correct. I know folks with BA degrees getting certifications from Vo Tecs. Grants no, but loans yes as long as it is a certified school.

Add me to the do whatever it takes but finish school crowd. Every few months my electricity got turned off. I rarely had a telephone (in the end of the land line era) and certianly no cell, internet cable etc. I went without hot water and heat for almost a year when my gas got turned off. You can shower at school (at least at mine). Enough ketchup packets from Mc D's and you can make tomato soup with water. Dollar General sells food. Odd jobs on weekends, plasma donations, medical testing. I did it all. My credit took a beating, and I wasn't even the worst off guy I knew. But for 2 years, I did it.

There some literal and figurative dark days. But I had a job waiting and it was worth it. 11 years later I kinda chuckle at the situation, but many days I was on the verge of total breakdown. There were times I got into my car with no cash and no idea if I had enough gas to get it home.

You just have to be that commited to it. Nurses are always in demand and it opens the door to other certifcations down the road, and if you love it, it's worth it.

Pbw
Pbw New Reader
11/3/11 5:21 p.m.
TRoglodyte wrote: I believe some hospitals offer to pay you to go to school, But you have to sign a contract to work for them when you get your degree?

I know a person who has done this. They provide you with tuition or living expenses and then you must work for them for a certain amount of time. Several states also have similar programs if you agree to work in their state for certain time frame.

flountown
flountown Reader
11/3/11 6:13 p.m.

Check out the National Guard. The armed forces absolutely love healthcare professionals. I have been looking at the Guard and other branches for different jobs, but they heavily push the medical careers with a lot of assistance.

Join up and enroll in the Recruit Sustainment Program and you make somewhere in the 100-150 range for one weekend per month for drill. There might even be a cash bonus for enrolling in certain jobs.

Ranger50
Ranger50 Dork
11/3/11 6:25 p.m.

In reply to flountown:

Not gonna happen with this old decrepid body. Plus after my school is over, I THINK we are moving to Charleston, SC area, so the wife can pursue a perfusion degree at MUSC.

I'll have to check in with fin aid again about the craptastic loans. I already borrowed a E36 M3ton years ago and just a few years ago got them paid off.....

N Sperlo
N Sperlo SuperDork
11/3/11 6:32 p.m.

I guess what it comes down to is that student is not the best career choice?

pigeon
pigeon Dork
11/3/11 7:25 p.m.

In reply to Mental:

Damn, that's some serious commitment. There's. No way I would have made it through that situation. I'm not sure if that makes me a wuss or you an extreme badass. I'm going to go with the latter :)

Ranger50 - don't be offended but it sounds to me like you've spent a lot of time trying to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. If I have it figured right you're only 6 months into this program, with another 18 to go. Are you sure you want to work in nursing for your remaining working years? If you're not absolutely sure I'd at least consider what the other options are at this point.

mndsm
mndsm SuperDork
11/3/11 8:36 p.m.

School man, school. Wife is currently gouging the berkeley out of my finances and hers to get her through school. I'm not quite to the selling my soul part yet, but I already have two jobs and live off of redbull and smokes (Yeah, I know, it's a BAD idea. But it keeps me moving) Just had a kid... everything is on hold. I told her to get her ass back to school ASAP and we'd figure it out from there. My house savings is gone, my 401k is gone, I have about 5 grand in mutual funds and another few K in some stocks.... and then it;s on to selling cars. I'll do what I have to to finish it.

Note on the side jobs- they're a GREAT idea. I spent 350$ back before E36 M3 hit the fan at my place and bought me a fender roller. I knew i'd make a few bones off it doing cars for my Mazda friends. Word got out I'm the one local guy that doesn't charge an arm and a leg to do cars. I did 3 cars over the weekend, max of 4 hours total for all 3, made 100 bones. That's better pay than my real job. Plus side too- i've ingratiated myself to the drift crowd, and the herrafrush crowd (Yeah, I know....) and they're willing to pay to get cars done. I'm too beat up to do it on a regular basis, but if I need a wad, I can put the word out i'm looking to do a few cars, and I get em lining up at my door. Throw an ad on CL, find friends of friends, etc. You'd be surprised.

Ranger50
Ranger50 Dork
11/3/11 9:34 p.m.

In reply to pigeon:

No, no offense. Prior to moving 6 yrs ago, I had a part time driving job pulling in $27/hr. Since then, I have been lucky to be averaging $9/hr. My previous degree and education doesn't/hasn't meant jack crap here. I'm just wanting a career, not a job. My goal is not to be just a floor nurse. This is just the stepping stone to a BSN then hopefully onto CRNA school. If I get stopped somewhere, no biggie. I still have skills I can use and still be "happy".

Volksrodden
Volksrodden Dork
11/4/11 5:56 a.m.

Ranger50, I have been living on 16 hours of work a week and student loans sense last jan. I have less then a year to go, before i graduate, needless to say living has been a struggle. I might* be getting a new job this week. I would defiantly look for some cost of living grants.

AngryCorvair
AngryCorvair GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/4/11 10:29 a.m.

there's gotta be some gubmint money out there, TAA or something.

oh, if you've got a ladder, you can make money cleaning gutters or trimming trees or hanging christmas lights for rich folks...

Ranger50
Ranger50 Dork
11/7/11 2:45 p.m.

Just to bring this back to the top:

Spoke with fin aid again. Again, no money for me, even loans.

Guess it is time to hump the pavement a bit harder.....

AngryCorvair
AngryCorvair GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/7/11 4:04 p.m.

In reply to Ranger50:

OK, so the school won't do anything for you. how about these folks:

http://www.doleta.gov/

the Department Of Labor's Employment & Training Administration website. if you frame your situation with the right words, there's money for you.

rotard
rotard Reader
11/7/11 4:35 p.m.

How in the world can you not get some type of student loan? Have you filled out a FAFSA on your own?

Ranger50
Ranger50 Dork
11/7/11 4:58 p.m.

In reply to rotard:

Yes to FAFSA. As was explained to me, it is still based on credits earned. I am WAY over. This is straight from the director of Fin Aid at my school.

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