how did you pay for it?

[Quik]

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For those of you who went from working a decent paying career job to school full time, how did you pay for it?

I just completed my FAFSA, selecting a 2nd bachelors for the degree I'm seeking, and am only determined to get approx $9,500 in aid. Sure a school might grant additional aid, but unless the offer doubles, that doesn't cover tuition alone. I know getting a job is the next obvious answer, which I intend to do, but with any sort of part-time job that can work around a loaded, full time school schedule, I don't expect to make much. I'm hoping the collective have some ideas/experiences that might help me out.

 

[jl lin]

All I can say is that I can't see a time, ever, when I will not work, at least PT. I know I am not the only one, and I know I will not be the last.

 

[ShyRem]

private loans are your next bet. Contact your financial aid office - they generally have a list of lenders they work with that will do educational private loans to cover up to your COA. You should not have to pay these off while in school and the rates are quite favorable. You may, however, need a cosigner.

 

[Quik]

private loans are your next bet. Contact your financial aid office - they generally have a list of lenders they work with that will do educational private loans to cover up to your COA. You should not have to pay these off while in school and the rates are quite favorable. You may, however, need a cosigner.

Ughh, if thats what it takes... I really didn't want to go down that path; private loan interest rates compounding over the next 10 years... that will be some expensive $$$, but at least interest rates are low right now. Hopefully with good credit I won't need a cosigner.

I know I'll be working, I don't mind that at all, though it will be frustrating going back working for very meager hourly wages...

 

[SFO-IST]

parents.

 

[RFHawks]

Scholarships and grants. Ask around to local clubs, organizations, churches, hospitals, etc. You would be surprised at how many organizations offer grants, especially to non-trads going into the health sector. When my mom went back to school for nursing she did A LOT of leg work and got grants from clubs like the local chapter of Knights of Columbus and such.

It is a lot of leg work, but it can pay off. Call around and see what types of orgs offer grants and what their requirements are. You may be surprised.

 

[engrphd2md]

Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you might look into enrolling in a Master's program. As a graduate student in the sciences or engineering you are typically eligible for research or teaching assistantships that come with tuition waivers for courses required for your program. At least this is true at my school. I have, however had to pay for any pre-med undergrad courses not required by my program out of pocket, but this has been pretty cheap since I'm at a state school. The stipend from teaching/research combined with only some federal loans has been good enough to live on. You may want to research this option more at your school and see if there is a program that meets your needs and maybe even allows you to get some research experience for med school.

 

[Quik]

Thanks RFHawk, that's a very valid suggestion and one I might do well with.

Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you might look into enrolling in a Master's program. As a graduate student in the sciences or engineering you are typically eligible for research or teaching assistantships that come with tuition waivers for courses required for your program.

Well I also have a master's already 🙄... I'm also out of state, and all the courses I need are undergraduate level sciences, and I have a good, full-time year of them to be completed. I am trying to find a staff position w/ the university that would also offer a tuition waiver.

Parents are a big negative for the most part...

Keep the ideas coming if there's one that hasn't yet been spoken.

 

[mmdp]

I went from a full time well paying career to not working. Some schools will allow you to receive student loans if you can show that you are no longer employed. I had to submit a letter explaining why my income has changed from my last year taxes, and I had to get a letter from past employer stating I was no longer employed. Now I receive around 7% student loans through the university, and get a refund check that helps with books. Talk to your school, they might be willing to work with you...don't just call, show up at the financial aid office. I should also mention I am married and do have to fill out fafsa with my husbands income, so far it has not been an issue (only difference is the subsidized/unsubsidized stafford loans). Hope this helps a little. Oh, I am also working on 2nd BA!

(I should add there are part-time cash jobs you can still do that would pay better than working at the school (unless they pay for your classes)...tutoring is a good option).

 

[mmdp]

Thanks RFHawk, that's a very valid suggestion and one I might do well with.



Well I also have a master's already 🙄... I'm also out of state, and all the courses I need are undergraduate level sciences, and I have a good, full-time year of them to be completed. I am trying to find a staff position w/ the university that would also offer a tuition waiver.

Parents are a big negative for the most part...

Keep the ideas coming if there's one that hasn't yet been spoken.

Have you looked at a SMP? For example: http://www.luc.edu/biology/ma.shtml

They offer student loans for the special programs like post-bac/masters.