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Hello from eastern Oklahoma, where I live on a little piece of land with a beautiful view of what's known in these parts as "The World's Highest Hill." I am a student at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, with a grade point average of 3.93, and I have recently been accepted into the school's nursing program.
I am a "non-traditional" student in my forties, returning to school after many years working as a graphic designer. I was feeling unfullfilled and ineffective (not to mention unemployed or underemployed) in that field of work. After much thinking, praying, and talking to friends (some of them in medical professions), I decided to go for an associate RN degree. I am loving being back in school and doing well in my classes.
But I need help financially. So far, I have managed on Stafford Loans and some savings I had. I am still recieving Stafford Loans, but my savings are dwindling. I already have a bachelor's degree (a BFA in Creative Writing from Arkansas Tech University), so I'm not eligible for a Pell Grant. I have applied for a number of scholarships, and I'm pretty sure that there is at least one I will get, but I'm still waiting to learn what, if anything, I'll be awarded.
I have a pretty bad mark on my credit history. I few years ago, I fell and broke a leg. Surgery was required, and I accrued some substancial medical debt. Although I was out of work for a month without pay and was laid off not too long after I went back to work, I managed to pay off most of my bills. But there was one bill that was turned over to a collection agency. I fell further behind on it, and received some threatening letters. But then I stopped hearing anything from them. I know it was naive of me, but I assumed the debt had been written off, and put it out of my mind. A couple of years later, after I had worked at one job for a year and then moved on to another job where I was making fairly good wages, I suddenly learned that a judgement had been made against me, and that my wages were to be garnished. So I did end up paying the bill, but now I have that judgement on my credit history.
I really am a responsible person, though. I work hard, live frugally, pay my bills, and take care of myself. I own my own home and am half-way through a twenty-year mortgage. I don't have any credit card debt, and my truck is paid for, so my monthly expenses are fairly low. But I've had a run of bad luck with getting laid off from jobs due to budget cuts and some lengthy periods of unemployment. I'm concerned about my future.
I'm single, with no children, and no one to turn to for financial support. I come from a family of good-hearted, hard-working people. They help me out as much as they can, but none of them is rich, and they have their own difficulties. I have very little savings, no health-care coverage, and no retirement plan. I want some security in my life. I want to be able to get a job that pays pretty well, has benefits, and a fair amount of stability. And I want to do work that I feel good about. I really want to be a nurse, and I think I'll be a very good nurse. I just have to find a way to pay for school. I would really appreciate it if you would help me to get a loan.
When I first applied for a Prosper Loan, I was worried about being able to cover my school expenses, and I asked for a pretty sizable loan, which didn't get funded. Since then, I have found some alternate financial aid, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be offered a part-time job that should start in a couple of weeks. So, this time, I'm just asking for enough so I can keep up with my bills until the other money comes in.
Thank you for your consideration. |
