This may be a stupid question, so bear with me. I understand that most if not nearly all students use loans for tuition, other fees for the school, and housing. However, I'm pretty sure you can't use a loan to buy groceries, toiletries, and other basic needs. How in the world does one afford these kinds of things without a job? Do you have money saved up or depend on your parents/other family? My parents are willing to help me out as much as they can through school with whatever loans can't cover, but I find it hard to believe all parents of pod students would be so willing. There has to be another solution but I just can't think of one right now. Thoughts??
How does a student survive in pod school with no sort of income?
- Thread starter arez10
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Easy solution... get married and put your better half to work. 😀
Whichever school you attend budgets living expenses into your annual loans, so if your frugal, the money you receive can be enough to cover your expenses through the school year. it's not alot, so you have to spend it wisely. also, if you can save some money prior to starting grad school or borrow money from a rich uncle, do it.
Also, avoid getting into any credit card debt before getting in. it's a huge burden to deal with while trying to make ends meet.
Whichever school you attend budgets living expenses into your annual loans, so if your frugal, the money you receive can be enough to cover your expenses through the school year. it's not alot, so you have to spend it wisely. also, if you can save some money prior to starting grad school or borrow money from a rich uncle, do it.
Also, avoid getting into any credit card debt before getting in. it's a huge burden to deal with while trying to make ends meet.
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Make a budget for yourself. Calculate your total academic and non-academic expenses for your first year of school.
Academic expenses: tuition, school fees, books
Non academic expenses: food, rent, housing supplies, cell phone bills, utilities, gas for you car, personal, and other misc expenses
Borrow the maximum amount of Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans that your school will allow. If you still need cash to meet the demands of your well calculated and well thought out budget then you can borrow more money from a GRAD PLUS loan.
That's pretty much it. If you are still confused, once you are accepted to the school of your choice, call up the financial aid office for help. You could even schedule a meeting with one your school's financial aid counselors and have her/him walk you through the process.
Pay attention because you are going to have to do this every year for all 4 years.
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You can use part of your loans for living, especially in grad school, your loan amount will include living expenses - your toilet paper and air freshener
And in a few years, you'll be 180K in debt like me!
But knowledge is priceless right?
You should look into a podology certificate instead
And in a few years, you'll be 180K in debt like me!
But knowledge is priceless right?
You should look into a podology certificate instead
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I got through pod school with a stay at home wife and kids. It wasn't horrible. The stafford loans were more than enough but we obviously had to live within our means and I didn't have any undergrad debt. I think that the old adage holds true, "If you live like a doctor when you're a medical student, you'll live like a medical student when you're a doctor." That was definitely the biggest mistake that I saw.
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I don't know why you keep going off on the podology certificate. There is no such recognition in the US. You will not have a license to treat anyone. You may not even be able to function as a pedicurist, unless you obtain a license for that. I couldn't even find any reputable income estimation for a podologist, except for a circular from Valletta, Malta showing 16-19k Euros.
So I question not only your credibility in your statements, but your honesty that you are really a podiatry student and will be $150k in debt but want a 4 day unrecognized certificate for non-US job at $40k per year after you complete your DPM.
You're spreading misinformation and no one should have any confidence in your comments.
Quit trolling.
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The finances are stressful at times, but I have managed so far with a stay-at-home wife and two kids. Thankfully the Government buys my groceries and health insurance. Welfare is great! You have to do what you can to survive. I have no help financially from family or friends. Like someone said earlier that you have to live within your means, but enjoy the 4 years. I know a few students that didn't do anything, to save money, their whole 4 years at school and missed out on a lot of fun opportunities while in Miami. When purchasing things on students loans, you have to take interest you will be paying into consideration. If you pay your loans off in 10 or so years, you will be paying interest on your purchases for that many years, so the item you bought is 2-3 times more expensive in the long run...don't know if what I wrote makes sense. So to answer your question....Yes it is doable to survive on student loans!
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it's hard.
i came in without credit card debt, but i did come in with UG loans. (the loans from college won't impact you, yet). all i saved coming to school was gone by second half (buying a bed, furniture..you name it). so you can't bank on savings, you need the loans.
however, depending on what school you go to , your refund check is maybe around 5 grand, for 5 months, if you take the max. that goes by really fast if you live alone, need to pay rent, make copies or buy books, pay bills, etc. even if you are frugal, most students i know are just scraping by until the next refund check. if you add in un forseen medical expenses or car trouble, and 900 for boards or fees..it hurts.
the best bet i guess is to stay at student housing. this way if rent is due first of the month and you don't get that check until the end, no one is posting an inviction notice on your door. buy food in bulk. if you don't need cable and you get internet with out it, get rid of it. get a roommate. don't buy food on campus, bring your own. limit going out to something big, like a movie or someone's b-day, or a school event. going home too takes a lot out of your budget. get on government assistance. it helps with food.
but like i said, even with all of this, there is not one person I know who doesn't worry about money, unless they have a domestic partner that works, a 5000 credit limit, or parents to give them money. some students work, but i wouldn't suggest that first year.
and if, like at my school, there is a delay in financial aid or they miscalculate your refund...the school pays itself first, your refund could take a month if things don't go right.
these are all things to think about but everyone has done it, and survived, albeit less comfortably than in college. just my two cents.
i came in without credit card debt, but i did come in with UG loans. (the loans from college won't impact you, yet). all i saved coming to school was gone by second half (buying a bed, furniture..you name it). so you can't bank on savings, you need the loans.
however, depending on what school you go to , your refund check is maybe around 5 grand, for 5 months, if you take the max. that goes by really fast if you live alone, need to pay rent, make copies or buy books, pay bills, etc. even if you are frugal, most students i know are just scraping by until the next refund check. if you add in un forseen medical expenses or car trouble, and 900 for boards or fees..it hurts.
the best bet i guess is to stay at student housing. this way if rent is due first of the month and you don't get that check until the end, no one is posting an inviction notice on your door. buy food in bulk. if you don't need cable and you get internet with out it, get rid of it. get a roommate. don't buy food on campus, bring your own. limit going out to something big, like a movie or someone's b-day, or a school event. going home too takes a lot out of your budget. get on government assistance. it helps with food.
but like i said, even with all of this, there is not one person I know who doesn't worry about money, unless they have a domestic partner that works, a 5000 credit limit, or parents to give them money. some students work, but i wouldn't suggest that first year.
and if, like at my school, there is a delay in financial aid or they miscalculate your refund...the school pays itself first, your refund could take a month if things don't go right.
these are all things to think about but everyone has done it, and survived, albeit less comfortably than in college. just my two cents.
