Spinoff to Student Loans: Want to go back to school, are loans my ONLY option?

I know right now I do not have the $ for school, but want desperately to go back to school.

I had taken a class a few years ago (I was single and on unemployment) and did not qualify for Financial Aid, not a dime. I made too much $$ on unemployment

So, are loans my only option?

What about grants/scholarships?

Anyone have any advise??

TIA!!

Re: Spinoff to Student Loans: Want to go back to school, are loans my ONLY option?

Are you going back as an undergraduate or a graduate? From my experience, there are more scholarships geared towards undergraduates (both through the schools and private scholarships). There are some scholarships for grad school and research stipends, etc. I got my master's at a public university and there were no scholarships available through the university in that department and I checked fastweb.com (a scholarship search) and there were no scholarships available that I would qualify for. I didn't get any for my PhD either, but that was because I did it while working full-time and did not do outside research or TA undergrad courses for a stipend.

Short answer, there are very few scholarships and grants. There are research stipends if you plan on going full-time and doing research and TAing courses. Most of the stipends go to doctoral students but some does go towards Master-level students. Certain programs, like the Master's in Teaching, MBA, etc. never give research stipends because of the field.

Message edited 4/18/2008 8:37:37 PM.

Re: Spinoff to Student Loans: Want to go back to school, are loans my ONLY option?

it definitely depends upon what your major would be....


Since no reasearcher ever makes any money , in my field, grad school is always FREE (100% scholarship) and a stipend of about 25k/year is given for living expenses...

if you're going to med school or getting your MBA, you'll have to pay for everything.....

Re: Spinoff to Student Loans: Want to go back to school, are loans my ONLY option?

I guess I should have added that, it would be for undergrad. I currently have an Associate degree.

Not 100% sure on what field yet, tossing round a few ideas.

Re: Spinoff to Student Loans: Want to go back to school, are loans my ONLY option?

Message edited 4/18/2008 8:50:22 PM.

Re: Spinoff to Student Loans: Want to go back to school, are loans my ONLY option?

If you work at a private university, like Hofstra, you and DH can get your undergraduate and graduate degrees for free, and if you are still there when your kids go they can get a free undergraduate degree. The pay isn't great but it's a great benefit.

That's how my mom was able to put my brother and I through college, and why I have no undergraduate loans.

Re: Spinoff to Student Loans: Want to go back to school, are loans my ONLY option?

There are small grants you can get in your specific department. i.e I got one that was $600 for books.

Also some schools have payment plans, while my first masters was with loans (private), I was able to swing my second one (public) just by payment plan.