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college degree..??

LadyCatherine - 2008-04-07 23:21:08 - Higher Education (University +)

I keep hearing it over and over again. that I need to get a degree so I can move up and make more money. that is all well and good but what about paying for school and/or paying back loans for school.. I am 38 and just have a high school diploma. I do want to get a college degree but worry that when I finish I would have a dept that I really couldn't afford and will have regreted going in the first place. I have applyed for grants but it seems everytime I do I get the letter they have run out of money, (does that happen) or that I make to much. I make 8 an hour at 40 hours a week. Is that too much to get help with paying for school? what do I do.. ?

Best Answer:

You can go back to school, and the government will help you do it. They helped me, so I'm sure you can get help also. Step one is to apply to a university and get accepted. You are classified as a returning student. If you apply to a school in your home state, you should automatically get a state grant that covers at least your tuition. You can qualify for Federal Student Loans automatically, which will be based on the estimated cost of your school attendance. If you will be leaving your job in order to return to school, which would be my recommendation to you, let the Financial Aid Department know your circumstances. You will need to complete a Federal Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) online. SPEAK TO YOUR FAVORITE FINANCIAL PLANNER FOR HELP COMPLETING THIS FORM! Don't complete it on your own, because you may unwittingly disqualify yourself for aid. Once you qualify for a Federal Student Loan (don't worry, you don't make any payments until six months after completion or withdrawal from a full-time program, even if it takes you ten years), take the maximum amount for which you qualify each term. You can use this money as you see fit, but I recommend that you use it for (in order): School expenses, room and board, and transportation. Save the rest! Since you will be on campus most of the time anyway, find a job on campus. Students have priority for these positions, and they pay at least minimum wage. Plus, they will be quite understanding of the pressures of balancing work and school. Once you begin your upper division work (Junior/Senior year), seek out internships in your degree area. Your school has contacts with local employers, and the career office or your instructors can refer you to these positions. These should be PAID internships, and some of them actually pay quite well. Do well in these positions, and you may find a really good job offer waiting at graduation. Be sure to get your degree in an area with real potential in your area. Computer degrees are good, but sometimes the demand varies. A business degree is always a good choice, but keep an open mind. I would discourage a degree that leads to nowhere or one that requires a Masters or PhD before you can get a real job. While you are at school, take part in the student activities. It may seem strange to do this in your late 30s, but it didn't bother me, and I was about your same age when I went back to finish my undergraduate degrees. See my profile to view my results. If you correctly complete your FAFSA, then you should have no interest accrual during school, and a very low interest rate upon graduation. Any money that you banked from the loans, and did not spend, is yours to keep at the end or you can use it to pay down the loans, or you can apply it toward your retirement. You shouldn't wind up very deeply in debt if you go to a State school, and student loans come with a very long, adjustable repayment schedule and low interest rates, so the payments won't kill you. A student loan will also improve your credit score over time, so as you get comfortable in your job, you may be able to finance that condo you've been eyeing for so long. So, my advice is to apply to your local state university, complete the FAFSA application, and plan on being back in school this fall. You might watch the movie, "Back to School" with Rodney Dangerfield. It is not realistic about your upcoming experience, but it is pretty funny! Good luck!

Answers:

try community college, by me it's under 2k a semester, which if you are working full time shouldn't be too terrible. I know it adds up but I also know some people who don't take out loans and just pay it semesterly.

go to colledge you'll then be making triple what you make now and you can make up the debt gotten while in colledge. think about night colledge so you can kepp your job

Do it. You dont want to be making $8 an hour for the rest of your life do you?

You should file for a 2008-2009 FAFSA. Do this ASAP. The priority deadline was March 1, but if you apply now you will definitely have a chance of getting aid for this fall. They have not even distributed the awards yet but my suggestion to you is to fill out the FAFSA now.

going to school is always a good idea if you go into something you love to learn about. don't waste ur time in something you hate just for the money there is a way better reason to go to school personal journey...you learn so much and come out better the other side...i mean if u think about it, we live and we take nothing with us but our memories and our experiences...so live! study something you love at night or take online courses...the money issue is tough...everyone has issues with that..i took out loans.. good luck

Consider beginning at a community college for the first 2 years, this will dramatically reduce your cost. Are you married, does your husband or another person in your household work? It sounds like you do qualify for financial aid, try applying early, as soon as you get your income tax forms back: submit a FASFA.

I have a friend who has a college degree but his attitude is nasty so he doesn't really lasts in jobs that long! If you have the right personality, you will be fine

I would definitely get a college degree. It is so worth it in the end. But not for the money reasons, for the satisfaction that you earn from it. For debt, it all depends on the school you're going to and how much tuition is. That will depend on the debt you "rack" up. First I would apply for government financial aid @ FAFSA.ed.gov--Then apply for loans. You don't have to pay your loans in school. After college, you have a grace period, usually of 6 months in which you do not have to pay yet. After the 6 months are up, you start paying your loans. However, many loan programs set up payment plans with you to try to lower your monthy payment. Good luck to you! Hope you get that degree! :)

Sounds the same what I hear every day. I am in my 30's too. I finish some what of a college tech school back in 99. Only thing I got out of it was 10K in the hole. I know I don't want to do that again. But I have to be something better? I know I can't live off of what I pay. So I guess that take one class, and just see.

What degree are you going for?? Well, no making 8 per hour is not making too much for you to get help. Check online.. and see if there are any course that you would like to take there... Many colleges offer funding.. and yes probably.. if you don't manage your money.. debt may occur. Our economy really sucks right now.. But continuing your education is always worth it in the end... Are you looking to make a career change or move up in your field of business? I would say that going for your Bachelor's degree is more helpful since more and more jobs are requiring it.. Anyways.. I really hope the best for you....Good luck!!

apply for fasfa, that is money funded by the goverment that you dont have to pay back. They dont deny anyone, they may give some people more, some less depending on your income. they gave me $2260 for the spring and the coming summer semester ($1130 each semester)...it may not be 100% of what i need but it helps, dont worry about being in debt because sallie mae or anyone who does school loans set up a really good payment plan, like a 10 year repayment plan. where you only pay so much per month and you can even get a fixed rate at $50. good luck and go ahead and go to college because you will make so much more money and it will open up more opportunity for you, take a chance because it will be worth it. go to fasfa.com for and look at sallie mae for school money

Its a great way to move ahead or in another direction. And it doesn't have to be really exspensive. If you get a loan get one through your government, they will give great rates for paying the balance back. To do this go to the Federal Student aid (type in google). There are various grants available out there but you must apply early. Some are based on first come first serve or a lottery system it sounds like that's the kind you applied for. Your state will have a website about these options (usually "State" Student assistance/aid commission). You do not make too much to qualify.

You can go back to school, and the government will help you do it. They helped me, so I'm sure you can get help also. Step one is to apply to a university and get accepted. You are classified as a returning student. If you apply to a school in your home state, you should automatically get a state grant that covers at least your tuition. You can qualify for Federal Student Loans automatically, which will be based on the estimated cost of your school attendance. If you will be leaving your job in order to return to school, which would be my recommendation to you, let the Financial Aid Department know your circumstances. You will need to complete a Federal Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) online. SPEAK TO YOUR FAVORITE FINANCIAL PLANNER FOR HELP COMPLETING THIS FORM! Don't complete it on your own, because you may unwittingly disqualify yourself for aid. Once you qualify for a Federal Student Loan (don't worry, you don't make any payments until six months after completion or withdrawal from a full-time program, even if it takes you ten years), take the maximum amount for which you qualify each term. You can use this money as you see fit, but I recommend that you use it for (in order): School expenses, room and board, and transportation. Save the rest! Since you will be on campus most of the time anyway, find a job on campus. Students have priority for these positions, and they pay at least minimum wage. Plus, they will be quite understanding of the pressures of balancing work and school. Once you begin your upper division work (Junior/Senior year), seek out internships in your degree area. Your school has contacts with local employers, and the career office or your instructors can refer you to these positions. These should be PAID internships, and some of them actually pay quite well. Do well in these positions, and you may find a really good job offer waiting at graduation. Be sure to get your degree in an area with real potential in your area. Computer degrees are good, but sometimes the demand varies. A business degree is always a good choice, but keep an open mind. I would discourage a degree that leads to nowhere or one that requires a Masters or PhD before you can get a real job. While you are at school, take part in the student activities. It may seem strange to do this in your late 30s, but it didn't bother me, and I was about your same age when I went back to finish my undergraduate degrees. See my profile to view my results. If you correctly complete your FAFSA, then you should have no interest accrual during school, and a very low interest rate upon graduation. Any money that you banked from the loans, and did not spend, is yours to keep at the end or you can use it to pay down the loans, or you can apply it toward your retirement. You shouldn't wind up very deeply in debt if you go to a State school, and student loans come with a very long, adjustable repayment schedule and low interest rates, so the payments won't kill you. A student loan will also improve your credit score over time, so as you get comfortable in your job, you may be able to finance that condo you've been eyeing for so long. So, my advice is to apply to your local state university, complete the FAFSA application, and plan on being back in school this fall. You might watch the movie, "Back to School" with Rodney Dangerfield. It is not realistic about your upcoming experience, but it is pretty funny! Good luck!