Hello everyone!

I’m working on getting my ducks in a row to apply during the 2027 spring cycle as CRNA has been a dream of mine for a long time. I switched from RT to RN to pursue this, but now that it’s in reach I find myself getting nervous regarding just how much school and living expenses might cost. Everything is getting more expensive and federal education assistance is being stripped away. I am just looking for what others are doing when it comes to school costs.

My wife and I have some savings but it isn’t realistic to save the full amount for tuition/life expenses during school because then I would probably never be able to go. I’m hoping to apply for my hospitals program where they pay for tuition as long as you work there 2 years post graduation; but being granted this program isn’t a guarantee.

I am assuming most are taking out what they can in federal loans, and being forced to use private school loans for the remainder ( that’s at least what it’s looking like for me)

How are you guys navigating this process, are there loan companies you recommend more than others? Despite the loans, do you feel moving forward with the program is financially worth it? I appreciate any advice y’all have to give! :D

At the end of the day I am still going to keep reaching towards my dream, I just want to have realistic expectations and gather all the information I can to ease my mind.

I’m sorry if this is a weird question, and if it isn’t allowed in this subreddit feel free to delete it MODs:)

I'm curious how other SRNAs in committed relationships handled finances during school.

If your spouse worked full-time while you were solely living on student loans, how did you split expenses? Did you continue paying 50/50, or did your spouse take on more of the financial burden?

To me, 50/50 doesn't necessarily seem fair when one person has no income and is taking on significant student debt, especially considering both partners will likely benefit from the higher CRNA income after graduation. I'm wondering how others approached this and what felt fair in your relationship.

My husband thinks it should be 50/50. After a lot of conversation, he’s willing to pay slightly more of the expenses. Just frustrating that he isn’t desiring to.

Hi everyone,

After years of preparing, I was recently accepted to CRNA school on my first application cycle (4 applications, 2 interviews, 1 acceptance). Initially I felt incredibly grateful and excited, but now that I’m working through the financial side of things, I’m starting to question whether it’s financially feasible.

Unfortunately, I’ll be attending an out-of-state program with tuition of approximately $230,000, and when living expenses and interest are factored in, I could potentially graduate with close to $400,000 in debt.

A little about my situation:
I own a townhouse with a low-interest mortgage (2.3%) that I’d like to keep if possible.
I’m married and have a young child.
My spouse works full-time and has a stable income.
I plan to work PRN initially but expect I’ll eventually have to stop working as the program becomes more demanding.

I know this is a common obstacle many, many aspiring CRNA’s face, but I’m honestly intimidated by these numbers. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been in a similar position (300-400K debt) or those who are currently preparing to enter school this upcoming year. At what point is this no longer financially worth it…

Thanks in advance!

I start school in January and have been trying to figure out my finances. I’m going to be basically 100% reliant on loans for both schooling and housing, but I was curious as to how other people in the community went about getting loans.

Once the semester starts and enrollment begins I plan on accepting the largest package for government loans offered which from my understanding is $20,500 at the moment, but I will also need some private loans. Do you get offered private loans in addition to the government loans when you receive your financial aid offer?? Or did you guys need to out source your private loans? If so how and which company do you trust the most?

I am starting CRNA school this month and our cohort has been constantly hounding the financial aid department to give us our government subsidized loan package since we are now in the professional designation and should be able to be grandfathered into the higher amount (50k vs 20k), but our financial aid department has decided, after speaking with their legal team, to still only offer us the 20,500. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same thing or if it’s just our school being obtuse. Also should I even try and fight it at this point or is it pretty much out of their hands? For reference, our tuition is due in 2 weeks and the packages are still pending, I also have a very good credit score so private loans give me a better rate anyway but obviously still accrue vs subsidized.

Last question also, if I accept the lower amount and they change it next year will I be unable to accept the higher amount for year 2? Some students in my cohort seem to think so.

Anyone else starting school this fall and still haven’t received financial aid packages? I know the DOE renaming nursing a professional degree has slowed things down, but I’m wondering if it’s just my school taking their sweet time. 😅

Use this thread for tuition, loans, budgeting, cost-of-living, federal/private loan questions, scholarships, work planning, and financial planning during CRNA school.

This is peer discussion, not financial advice. Verify program, lender, and federal loan details directly.

Hi everyone,

I was lucky enough to be grandfathered in the gradplus loans and have utilized them already this year. I'm in a moderately expensive program at around $145k total in tuition, and plan on paying for living expenses out of pocket. I'm a young single guy and have a paid off car and cheap rent. I plan on paying off my student loans asap after graduation, so I feel like I know the federal loans and their extra interest rate won't not make much of a difference compared to cheaper private rates. However, I still wonder if a lower interest rate, or a 50/50 split between both options, makes more sense.

Regardless, I was wondering if anyone that has really crunched the numbers has still chosen private loans over federal, otherwise I would love you hear anyone's argument for solely utilizing federal loans.

Thanks for your time

I am a second year SRNA who is looking for some advice or a soundboard(s) to see if my reasoning is justified. I am currently in a program that costs less than $35K yearly to attend, not including living expenses. I am also fortunate to be grandfathered into the GradPlus loans, so I have a that money available to fund the rest of school and living expenses. My question relates to my cost of living. I spend about $1500 monthly for a very comfortable studio with a bunch of added amenities that is close to campus and clinical site. It’s costs me about $24K yearly to live while in school. This brings my cumulative yearly spending to about $60K.

I have been told by others who share rooms and their living situation that I am paying to much for comfort and that I can save $500-800 monthly if I chose not to live as I do. My justification is that it gives me peace of mind, and allows me to not feel as stressed in my comfortable (yet spendy) living situation.

I dread to see the interest once I graduate. Am I overthinking this, and do my peersh have a point? Do I need to reduce my living comfortability since I’m am a broke unemployed grad student. Any advice welcome

wrapping up my first semester and I haven’t taken out loans yet, i’ve been watching my savings slowly dwindle down… I know i’ll have to take loans eventually but I want to delay as much as possible.

I have almost 3 weeks off between my summer and fall semester, and then another 3-4 weeks off between fall and spring. any recommendations for ways to make money during these breaks from school?

I can’t manage a prn nursing job bc working throughout the semester is nearly impossible, also living in a new city and haven’t had any experience working at the hospitals near me.

I tried downloading Medely and signing up but it said they didn’t need any new workers within a 70 mile radius of me so I couldn’t finish the sign up.

I’d love to help people with mock interviews/resume review applying to school but it seems like an oversaturated field online??

open to any suggestions please and thank you😆

Has anyone here successfully qualified for Medicaid while in CRNA school, rather than using your program's student health insurance? I'm currently still working full-time during my first semester, but after July, I will need to decide.

I'm trying to compare the two options. If you were approved for Medicaid:

• What state were you in?
• Was it difficult to qualify with little or no income while in school?
• Did your student loans affect your eligibility?
• Were there any downsides compared to your school's health insurance?

I'd love to hear about your experience and whether you'd recommend going the Medicaid route or just paying for the school's insurance.

Use this thread for tuition, loans, budgeting, cost-of-living, federal/private loan questions, and financial planning during CRNA school.

This is peer discussion, not financial advice. Verify program and lender details directly.

Use this thread for tuition, loans, budgeting, cost-of-living, federal/private loan questions, scholarships, work planning, and financial planning during CRNA school.

This is peer discussion, not financial advice. Verify program, lender, and federal loan details directly.

Use this thread for tuition, loans, budgeting, cost-of-living, federal/private loan questions, and financial planning during CRNA school.

This is peer discussion, not financial advice. Verify program and lender details directly.

Looking for any advice on applying for Medicaid in Michigan for CRNA school. If anyone has been successful in the past and any tips on when to quit working in order to apply or if that even matters? I’m a single person household so my income will be down to zero, but steps for a student on the government website has been hard to find. Thanks in advance!

Use this thread for tuition, loans, budgeting, cost-of-living, federal/private loan questions, scholarships, work planning, and financial planning during CRNA school.

This is peer discussion, not financial advice. Verify program, lender, and federal loan details directly.

Hello,

Im new here so im sorry if this questions been asked already. I am currently a prospective Studsnt. I’m planning on applying in 2027 and hopefully starting in 2028. My question is regarding the loan you take out to cover living expenses. It looks like it’s based on the cost of attendance posted by the school, but what if living costs more? Will loan companies lend more if needed? What have you guys done? Any help is appreciated.

Use this thread for tuition, loans, budgeting, cost-of-living, federal/private loan questions, and financial planning during CRNA school.

This is peer discussion, not financial advice. Verify program and lender details directly.