I would avoid private loans from banks if at all possible. If you default, they will come at you like gangbusters. They will not defer your payments, and are less likely to work with you than the federal loans. The interest rates in private loans are usually much higher than for Federal loans you get thru FASFA--sometimes as high as a credit card.

Try applying for grants and scholarships. There are tons of them out there. Your financial aid office will know of local ones. Petersen's Guides publishes a guide to grants and loans. The application process is tedious, and you won't get most of the ones you apply for, but the ones you DO get will make the effort worthwhile.

Scholarships don't have to be paid back. Grants usually have to be paid back, but are usually interest free or lower interest than a loan.

If you are working for a hospital or other health care organization, see if they offer tuition reimbursement. Or, contact a facility where you think you might like to work and see if they will give you money for school in return for a contract promising to work for them for so many years (1-3, depending on how much money they give you). If you don't like the job, you can still quit, but you will have to repay the money.

Thanks for all you replies. I do not qualify for a pell grant and I have been hitting the scholarship board pretty hard these last couple of months, a lot of work, your not kidding. Unfortunately I am still working until May and according to everyone I apply to, I make too much money to qualify for alot of aid. Funny, do they realize I will not be working at all come May?? You just can't win.

I thought about the contract at a workplace, some even offer loan forgiveness after such a period of time, that may be a smart way to go. Again thanks for all your input.

shejacobsen, I am in a similar situation. I am currently enrolled in school. The Wia program that I thought would help me fund school, will not help me because I am pregnant!! I was beside myself to hear this. SO now I back at the starting gates.

There are student loans offered by some banks that are not part of the federal financial aide system. I have to use these because the aide I receive does not cover the cost of tuition for my son's kindergarten. My recommendation is to use these very sparingly though because the interest rates are pretty high. (like 10-12%) They do offer the same benefits as federal student loans as far as deferment until you are done with school. One bank I know off hand is Wells Fargo which has special loans for health professions students. Let me know if you need any more info and I can e-mail it to you. Also- this might be an option for your first year of school since next year's FAFSA won't show any income...
Good luck!

Christie

there is the astrive student loans as well as check with chase student loans hope this helps a bit