Working while going through the PharmD program

[USMCWolfepack]

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Howdy all! As the title implies I am inquiring about working and going to school. I am about to transition from the Marine Corps, and have decided to become a pharmacist. I am doing as much research as possible. I have started setting my plans in motion, but am a little worried about the ability to work while pursueing my PharmD. From what I have been able to find thus far people say they work while going through the program, but it seemed to me more for extra spending money not supporting a family. I am going to have to work to support my family while I am going through the program. I am sure others have been in the same situation, and would appreciate any incite, advice, or guidance. Thanks

 

[dgroulx]

Howdy all! As the title implies I am inquiring about working and going to school. I am about to transition from the Marine Corps, and have decided to become a pharmacist. I am doing as much research as possible. I have started setting my plans in motion, but am a little worried about the ability to work while pursueing my PharmD. From what I have been able to find thus far people say they work while going through the program, but it seemed to me more for extra spending money not supporting a family. I am going to have to work to support my family while I am going through the program. I am sure others have been in the same situation, and would appreciate any incite, advice, or guidance. Thanks

You are going to mainly live off of student loans. I don't know anyone at my school who works more than 10-20 hours a week. That is not enough to support a family. When you start rotations your last year, you will have zero hours to work somewhere else. We do have students with a families, but in all cases the spouse is the primary breadwinner.

 

[USMCWolfepack]

Thanks Gdroulx. Bummers, but I was half expecting that type answer. I am a little confused about living off the loans. I was in college prior to joining the Marine Corps. I had taken a Stafford Loan, but it was nowhere near enough to pay for the tuition much less, to live off of. I know we can make it happen, but we will have to make some sacrafices. I am willing to make them, but I am unsure if the wife can see that far into the future. Could anyone post some of their experiences dealing with this problem. Thanks again.

 

[dgroulx]

Thanks Gdroulx. Bummers, but I was half expecting that type answer. I am a little confused about living off the loans. I was in college prior to joining the Marine Corps. I had taken a Stafford Loan, but it was nowhere near enough to pay for the tuition much less, to live off of. I know we can make it happen, but we will have to make some sacrafices. I am willing to make them, but I am unsure if the wife can see that far into the future. Could anyone post some of their experiences dealing with this problem. Thanks again.

I take about 19K per year in Stafford Loans. My tuition is 7K per year, which leaves me with 12K for living expenses. I think if you go to a state school with low tuition then you can manage it. Good Luck.

 

[bananaface]

Some of my classmates have families living entirely off of their loans plus internship income. It can be done, but it is tight.

One of my classmates worked 28H/32H on rotating weeks between two internship sites. I have no idea how he pulled it off. IMO, 1-2 days a week is where I max out. Some people can do 2-3. But, if you have a family you probably want to see them at some point! 🙂

As a professional student (if your school classifies you this way) you should be able to max out your loans, even if you aren't awarded them as part of your FA package. I went into my FA office this year and bumped my loans to the max of 26K despite being awarded 21K. The extra that I took out was in unsubsidized loans. Talk to your FA office about this if you have questions. The rules may vary between institutions.

 

[ICA]

Do the Marines have some kind of tuition assistance/scholarship program(s)?

 

[illusions]

It honestly all depends on your schools schedule, how motivated you are to doing school work in free time and give up personal time, and what type of grades you want to make in pharmacy school, and how involved you want to be.. I'm personally doing 24 hours a week most weeks with no problem. Grades are pretty decent, and I do find time to do something (personal) every now and then. I do know of other people that are pushing 30+ hours. But most people will probably think its overkill.

 

[LBS615]

At my school (private) we are left with about $5000-6000 a semester- not much. I know someone in my program who was in the airforce- they get money from the military- b/c of that the school actually gives her less loan money! The amount we get is less and less each year as they raise the tuition $1000 each year but don't change our loan amount. There is an out of state student who had so little money, they qualified for food stamps (so they say).