I need help with getting back to school. How can I go back to school when...?

Question

Right now I work full time and I have made so much I KNOW I wont get any fin aid. I applied FAFSA on line the said no way. The thing is all I make goes to bills. I pay rent, elect, water, gas, food, car insur, cell (I have no home phone), some meds (nothing serious but I need them), old student loans, gas and tolls to get to work I have nothing. Not like I could be paying for school. I live in Orlando, FL. I dont think I could live on the loans and a part time job. Loans would take up most of tuition, books and then my bills for a yr would not be enough. No I can not live with my parents. My parents have never helped me and I know they still cant. I feel a little hopeless. I know there are scholarships but I really dont qualify for a lot considering I am a white fem with no kids and do not want to be a teacher. Plus I have been working full time. I have a two yr and only have 2 left, is there any thing I can do? Would student loans cover $1900 a month plus tuition and books all yr?

Ps Im 26 and I would like to get done before I get 30. I also do not have any family in this area and none that could help me if I moved.

Answer 1

There are PLENTY more scholarships than you think, especially for single mothers:

http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/Detailed/Scholarships/Local_Scholarships/Women_s_and_Non-traditional_students_scholarships_meta-directory_126.php

As for student loans, yes, you can apply for loans up to $50,000 per year, though you'll have one heck of a bill when you're done. The best student loan to apply for is the Stafford Federal Student Loan, which you should be eligible for, even if it's only the unsubsidized one. If your FAFSA results didn't indicate this, you may need to file a correction.

Try these scholarship sites:

http://www.StudentScholarshipSearch.com
http://www.ScholarshipPoints.com
http://www.FastWeb.com
http://www.CollegeBoard.com

For more information on private student loans, visit:

http://www.AlternativeStudentLoan.com

Finally, if you listen to MP3s, there's always my daily radio show.

http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com

Good luck, and let me know how things turn out!

Answer 2

Have you considered part-time? You do not have to start paying off FAFSA loans until six months after you leave school. you mention old student loans. So I assume you have some college credits, which will shorten the time it takes to get a degree. It will be tough but you also mention you have no children, so you have no responsibilities there.

Consider online education if you do not have a flexible schedule to go to a brick-and-mortar school. You will have to separate the wheat from the chaff - there are a lot of con-artists out there who will take your money and give you a degree that isn't worth the paper it is printed on. There are also some very good online schools which confer very respected degrees.

Answer 3

I quit college to raise a family and I understand what it takes just to exist. This is what I did.

I cut back my cost of living. There are always ways. Coupons help with your spending. Apply to drug companies for reduced prices or free medications. Buy used books. Give up some luxury item. I gave up soda and I'm better for it.

Take one class at a time in the evenings or on weekends. It took me three and a half years but I finished my last two years and continued to work full time. It takes some effort and you have to give up some things, but it's worth it.

Other ideas are;

Have you looked into online courses? They are often cheaper and you can proceed at your own pace.

Check with the H.R. person at the company you work for. Many companies provide tuition for there employees to improve their educations. Are you working in the field you want to study? Maybe you might want to change jobs and choose a company with tuition benefits and get experience in your field of interest at the same time.

Move into a dorm and apply for a loan that covers room and board while you work part time.

Talk to the college councilor about ways to obtain funding or to work at the college to help with tuition.

Do you have a disability? Many scholarships are available for almost any physical or mental challenge.


Most of all, don’t give up!