At 36, with a family, how do I quit my job and return to school to pursue my passion?

Question

I should add that my passion is christian ministry. I want to become a pastor

Answer 1

do you really need to quit your job. Why don't you go to school part time. There are lots of people that do that, I am one.

Answer 2

You would probably qualify for financial aid from the government. However, it would not be enough to support a family since it is almost all loans. It is very hard but possible to get scholarships at your age, but the numbers are very small. It is an idea to approach or check out if your denomination nationwide or even in your state offers money for you to go back to college for the ministry. Also most college financial aid websites list outside private sources for scholarships too.

http://www.iokds.org/scholarship.html
http://www.danschall.org/scholarship.htm
http://www.thefund.org/about/about_history.phtml
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
http://www.fastweb.com/
http://www.brokescholar.com/
http://www.scholarshiplistings.com/
http://www.finaid.org/
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/
http://www.finaid.org/finaid/scams.html
http://www.collegedata.com/
http://www.findtuition.com/
http://www.scholarships4all.net/
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
http://www.scholarships.com/
http://www.collegenet.com/
http://www.gocollege.com/
http://www.supercollege.com/

Answer 3

if your passion is nursing, get student loans which can be "written off" as long as you are working as a nurse full time. You don't have to pay those back. Ask at the Fin. Aid Office.
Also most hospital will reimburse your tuition if you work there while in school, even part time,and maintain a good grade. You are required to word for them after you graduate for a year or 2.

Answer 4

I'm 36 and in school, with a family. I would love to quit my job and go to school full-time, but finances keep me from being able to do that. I can't afford to quit my job, because then I'd lose my house, but I can't afford to not be in school either, because my job sucks and my associate's degree isn't sufficient enough to potential employers in the field. (Computer Science)

Go part-time nights, or part-time days, depending on which shift you work, of course. It may take you longer, but in the end, you'll still achieve the same goal - an education that nobody can take away from you!

Answer 5

First, as soon as you get your taxes back...fill out the FAFSA and have a copy sent to the school(s) of your choice (the FAFSA needs to be filled out for student loans...even if you are not going to be obtaining any federal or state aid). Usually, financial aid is based on the previous years income. So, unless you had a low family income in the previous year, you will more than likely not obtain that much in financial aid...aside from student loans. The next year, depending on the house hold income, you may possibly be able to apply for federal and state aid. Work hard and obtain good grades so you will be a viable candidate for scholarships....apply for as many as you are applicable for--at your college. www.fastweb.com <--great source for other scholarship applications (don't be discouraged if you don't recieve anything--or very little---apply for as many as you can.

You may have to obtain additional support to help your family, such as food stamps--wic--etc. Always look for ways to save money...and, remember---your family does come before your school. Being an adult learner is very time consuming and you must endeavor to wisely manage your time. The hardest point for me as a returning student was when my children were not in school full-time...and I am a single parent. Communicate as much as possible with your spouse...make sure they are completely on board with this and that they understand (with you) what kind of a project you are going to undertake. At one point my mother stated to me that if I am going back to school...make sure that I am going to be getting a degree in something that will enable me to bring in a decent income when I get out.

You should eventually get an internship. This puts your foot back into the working world....or work during the summer....or go only part-time.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Well when I was 30 years old with four children and a husband I decided that I wanted to get my bachleors degree and I did just that without quitting my job. I actually managed to work full time, go to school full time and graduate with a 3.85 gpa. I know for a fact that you can do anything that you put your mind too.

Answer 7

I'm 40, with a family, and working full time. I go to school part-time online. A man's primary responsibility is to care for his family so anything else you want to do you need to fit around that.

Answer 8

so u want to return to school to study or to teach, if it's to study, then join some courses part time or nite time courses. If u don't have financial problems, about looking after ur family then u can quit ur job and join school full time. another option is to work part time and study part time

Answer 9

You can obtain a degree online. They will accept any credits from previous colleges...just go to http://degrees.education.yahoo.com/?pid=iy&ptext=online_degree_programs

Answer 10

go to school part-time.