Paying for my girlfriends nursing program

[Duddy]

So my girlfriend (19) wants to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The program at the local college costs a total of around $4000 for the entire 3 semester program. Once she's out she can make $30 to $40 an hour.

This would help me in the long run when we live together. It means she wouldn't be soo dependent on anyone, including me, for her personal finances. I work for Cingular right now and make about $900 a month. $400 of which is spare income. If I did this, I would put that $400 away every month til the end of the year. That means no spending cash.

I'm having some issues with it. Some people are saying it's a very bad idea, including my common sense. I don't like it one bit.

Ah crap! WTF should I do?!?!

EDIT:

I talked with her and she said that I was confused.

Appearantly SHE will pay for $2,500 of it and she just needs help for the extra $1,500. I have no problem doing that for her!

She is already a CNA. She did that last fall.


This is the girl I couldn't imagine being without, and I plan on asking her to marry me soon. So I have no problem helping her.

 

[Kaervak]

Has she bothered to apply for any financial aid? Depending on her income and credit hours for the course, she could easily get a pell grant for the entire cost of the course.

 

[Ktulu]

Can't she take out a loan out? What about her parents?

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: Duddy
So my girlfriend (19) wants to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The program at the local college costs a total of around $4000 for the entire 3 semester program. Once she's out she can make $30 to $40 an hour.

This would help me in the long run when we live together. It means she wouldn't be soo dependent on anyone, including me, for her personal finances. I work for Cingular right now and make about $900 a month. $400 of which is spare income. If I did this, I would put that $400 away every month til the end of the year. That means no spending cash.

I'm having some issues with it. Some people are saying it's a very bad idea, including my common sense. I don't like it one bit.

Ah crap! WTF should I do?!?!

There's your answer my friend.

 

[slikmunks]

don't do it...

even if it's a guaranteed investment (in her) it's still not a great idea.

 

[skywhr]

depends....how long have you been together? I assume that since you are considering this you are in it for the long haul. I mean if theres a threat of it not working out? I always say never give something you arent willing to ultimately lose.

 

[yllus]

If the topic has already come up between you two, you're already boned. I dare anyone to come up with a statement he can say that won't make him sound like an asshole.

 

[tfcmasta97]

She's 19 and you're puttin down 4 G's? What are you, stupid?

 

[brandonb]

Don't do it unless you are married. Simple as that... Until you are on the "same team" then I wouldn't be footing the bill for anything.

If your common sense says no, why are you considering it? Did she approach you? Remember, gut feelings are usually worth listening to... Go with it...

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: Duddy
So my girlfriend (19) wants to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The program at the local college costs a total of around $4000 for the entire 3 semester program. Once she's out she can make $30 to $40 an hour.

This would help me in the long run when we live together. It means she wouldn't be soo dependent on anyone, including me, for her personal finances. I work for Cingular right now and make about $900 a month. $400 of which is spare income. If I did this, I would put that $400 away every month til the end of the year. That means no spending cash.

I'm having some issues with it. Some people are saying it's a very bad idea, including my common sense. I don't like it one bit.

Ah crap! WTF should I do?!?!

There's your answer my friend.

yup. agreed.

 

[Looney]

Wow, if you're only making $900 a month, that's a huge investment on your end. Even if $400 is spare income, that's almost a year for you to save that. If you truly believe you'll be with her for the rest of your life, then i would jump on it... but she's 19, how old are you?

 

[Tuktuk]

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Did I mention, NO!!!!?!?!

Horrible idea. The only justifiable reason to pay for a girl's school is if its your wife and you've been together for years, sharing financial obligations. You should not save up all of your money to pay for her education. Dear god man, DO NOT DO IT!!!

There are plenty of other options available to her. Just how financially dependent is she on your right now? That itself is a bad sign.

Who brought up the idea of you paying? Her or you?

 

[Estrella]

put a ring on her finger and then it might be worth it.

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: Duddy
So my girlfriend (19) wants to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The program at the local college costs a total of around $4000 for the entire 3 semester program. Once she's out she can make $30 to $40 an hour.

This would help me in the long run when we live together. It means she wouldn't be soo dependent on anyone, including me, for her personal finances. I work for Cingular right now and make about $900 a month. $400 of which is spare income. If I did this, I would put that $400 away every month til the end of the year. That means no spending cash.

I'm having some issues with it. Some people are saying it's a very bad idea, including my common sense. I don't like it one bit.

Ah crap! WTF should I do?!?!

I wouldn't pay for it if I were you. What if she decides to break up with you after she done with her program? your out of $4000

 

[Bryophyte]

Answer yourself this question: "If we break up one year from now, how will I feel about having given her a gift of $4000?"

I would seriously consider either encouraging her to get a student loan, or at the very least, you should both write, and get notarized, a letter stating the amount she is borrowing from you and the terms by which you'll be paid back.

 

[illusion88]

****** that!
Why don't you help her pay for it? Offer to pay for a quarter, a third or even half, but don't put yourself on a tight budget for a year because she can't/won't earn any extra income. What if something happens? Ticket, car accident, you have to fly somewhere on an emergency, anything. You won't have a dime to spare in case of an emergency, which is never a good thing.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: Kaervak
Has she bothered to apply for any financial aid? Depending on her income and credit hours for the course, she could easily get a pell grant for the entire cost of the course.

In regards to her family, they are close to bankruptcy. She is not eligible for any loans or grants. We have tried them all. All denied.

Her dad makes too much money, but unfortunately all the money goes towards medical bills (hypochondriacs) and late mortgage payments and whatnot. Since he makes soo much though, she is denied the pell grant. Since she is 19, she has no credit to apply for a loan. She needs a cosigner, but everyone who can cosign in her family has HORRIBLE credit. And I haven't built enough credit to recieve a loan either.

 

[Bryophyte]

BTW, if you have $400 a month 'extra', you should be saving it. One day you'll need it for a downpayment on a house, or a car, or for retirement.

 

[fireandicefuel]

that's an obvious answer

I say no go for sure

 

[theLION]

Originally posted by: illusion88
****** that!
Why don't you help her pay for it? Offer to pay for a quarter, a third or even half, but don't put yourself on a tight budget for a year because she can't/won't earn any extra income. What if something happens? Ticket, car accident, you have to fly somewhere on an emergency, anything. You won't have a dime to spare in case of an emergency, which is never a good thing.

Ya, just offer to pay a little just to help out, but the majority of the payments should be from her. Who knows? You two might break up and i doubt she'll pay you back.

 

[Duddy]

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: Kaervak
Has she bothered to apply for any financial aid? Depending on her income and credit hours for the course, she could easily get a pell grant for the entire cost of the course.

In regards to her family, they are close to bankruptcy. She is not eligible for any loans or grants. We have tried them all. All denied.

Her dad makes too much money, but unfortunately all the money goes towards medical bills (hypochondriacs) and late mortgage payments and whatnot. Since he makes soo much though, she is denied the pell grant. Since she is 19, she has no credit to apply for a loan. She needs a cosigner, but everyone who can cosign in her family has HORRIBLE credit. And I haven't built enough credit to recieve a loan either.

Oh, an I'm 20. And we have been together for over 2 years.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: Kaervak
Has she bothered to apply for any financial aid? Depending on her income and credit hours for the course, she could easily get a pell grant for the entire cost of the course.

In regards to her family, they are close to bankruptcy. She is not eligible for any loans or grants. We have tried them all. All denied.

Her dad makes too much money, but unfortunately all the money goes towards medical bills (hypochondriacs) and late mortgage payments and whatnot. Since he makes soo much though, she is denied the pell grant. Since she is 19, she has no credit to apply for a loan. She needs a cosigner, but everyone who can cosign in her family has HORRIBLE credit. And I haven't built enough credit to recieve a loan either.

You're not married. She should work to pay for her schooling herself. What does she do for income now? If you're supporting her, that's pretty fvcked up at her age.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: Duddy

Originally posted by: Kaervak
Has she bothered to apply for any financial aid? Depending on her income and credit hours for the course, she could easily get a pell grant for the entire cost of the course.

In regards to her family, they are close to bankruptcy. She is not eligible for any loans or grants. We have tried them all. All denied.

Her dad makes too much money, but unfortunately all the money goes towards medical bills (hypochondriacs) and late mortgage payments and whatnot. Since he makes soo much though, she is denied the pell grant. Since she is 19, she has no credit to apply for a loan. She needs a cosigner, but everyone who can cosign in her family has HORRIBLE credit. And I haven't built enough credit to recieve a loan either.

Well does she plan on paying you back? Maybe you should get something in writing, in case this go south.

 

[thepd7]

Does she currently have a job? Why doesn't she get one for 6 months, then maybe she can at least pay part.

 

[JS80]

Shens. $4000 investment does not produce $83k per year.