Author Topic: Back to school/college questions... (Read 688 times)

LePaul · « **on:** December 03, 2002, 09:53:00 AM »

Day job is a bore, evening job the same. Im 33 and and thinking about going back to school full time. Eyeing one of the flight school programs I was accepted for when i was 18 but couldnt muster the financial aid.

Stupid questions, how you go to school fulltime and afford it? Much less have a life beyond it? Rent, bills, etc? I see most Financial Aid paperwork is due in Feb so now is a good time to look around and figure it out

Would love to hear from others, what you did, wouldnt do, etc...Id love to finally have that degree in something I love. Im checking out Daniel Webster College in NH (http://www.dwc.edu/academics/aviation/aca_aviation.asp)

Ideas? Thanks a lot guys

SOB · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2002, 10:10:12 AM »

I just started school this Sept at the age of 27. The last time I was in school was high school. Financial aid can be a squeak, especially if you actually made a decent living last year, and since my income was too high last year I was turned down for any financial aid (loan or otherwise). After appealing using my projected income for this year I managed to get some aid in the form of an unsubsidised loan (interest starts the day I get my first check, rather than 6 months out of school). Also, probably due to the downturn in the economy, student loan requests are up by quite a bit - which means fin aid offices have a lot more work to do and it can take a while. You'll probably be OK if you apply for aid in Feb if you aren't starting until Sept. Just be sure to keep on them, WEEKLY. I got my first check last Friday...school started Sept 9.

If you can save up some money to get you through the first term, that'd probably help. I sold my Tahoe and bought some POS transportation. That gave me some adjustment time, and time to figure out what my daily school schedule would typically be and how much time I need for study. Then, get ready to work a job that makes your current boring job look like heaven. Today, I'm headed to the local T-Mobile customer service center...with my background I'll be hired, and soon I'll be helping retards with their cell phones - yeehaw. It's better than McDonalds tho'.

Hope any of that helped. At least a little.

SOB

LePaul · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2002, 10:58:53 AM »

Thanks, SOB, and i think I owe you a LORD prize? Been so busy lately...sigh

Well, I've been at the same day job for coming up on 4 years, no raise in 3. I'm at that point where I no longer above and beyond for them as there are no rewards. Anytime we mention we'd like some sort of increases, we get promises... I picked up the UPS job a year and a half ago to help out with some extra income, but after a while, 75 hour work weeks take their toll. I'm working my arse off to $25k a year. I can do better.

I just spoke to their financial aid office and the gent there feels I'd qualify for quite a bit based on my income. I also have a lot of credits I can transfer in, and already have my private pilot license, which puts me ahead of the game a bit. The only loan i have is for the motorcycle, and my POS car is paid for and working fine.

I've always loved flying and been asorbed learning as much as i could about it. I'm too old for military flying (33) but Id love to be fully qualified in many types and be involved in that line of work.

Dune · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2002, 11:00:43 AM »

At 29 I went to law school on private loans. After 2.5 years of school in San Fran, you don't even want to see my debt. If you look at it that way it's very depressing. I prefer to think of it as an investment that is constantly paying me back.

hardcase · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2002, 11:04:39 AM »

GSL..Garunteed Student Loans. Payment is deferred as long as you attend the equivalent of 1/2 Time. Full time is only about 3-4 hours a day literally. Part time job, GSL, and some bugeting is doable. Education is always worth the effort.

HS

Greese · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2002, 11:30:29 AM »

SOB speaks the truth. That first year is tough, after making money the year before.

Not too desirable, but you may try for on campus housing.

Also, loans are a tough pill to swallow, but it is an investment.

If you are going to choose a four year degree, do as much of your general ed in a community college. In a majorly expensive private university, you would normally get a TA anyway. Try going to state school vs those private universities also. If you transfer credits from one school to another, just make sure everywhere you attend is accredited.

Just a few tips.

SunKing · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2002, 11:58:31 AM »

30 years old here.

I'm on my 3rd year. Working 9-6 weekly . going to school 7-10pm weeknights. There are some ways to make it easy. Here in Sacramento some of the academic courses are hosted on local cable so you don't need to race across town to get to class in a 10mins time.

-ammo- · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2002, 12:15:56 PM »

35 here in the USAF. Tuition Assistance pays 100% on my tuition. (I also have 20K+ of GI Bill money I have yet to tap into) I go to work 7-4 then school in the evenings. I have a wife and three kids which is the real stress for me. Money really isnt the problem. All I have to make sure is I get my books.

Maverick · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2002, 12:36:08 PM »

I am back in school at the age of 49. I have already retired twice and am still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up.

I already have 2 college degrees (B.S. and a MA Ed) and am looking to add an Associates next March. I am in the A&P program in Cochise College outside of beautiful downtown Douglas AZ., basically in the sticks. I also applied for and got a scholarship and work 20 hours a week in the hanger on the school aircraft used in pilot training. Being back in school is rather trying but I'm managing to hang onto my 4.00 avrage.

If you're in doubt about what you are doing or want to do, look around and go for what you want. You'll never get young enough to follow your dreams. Time waits for no one.

Curval · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2002, 12:40:26 PM »

I got a Political Science degree (started at age 22), then 3 years later went back for my accounting degree. Daddy paid.

Kanth · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2002, 12:43:54 PM »

same boat, so I'm watching this thread.

either school or start my own business.

both are pretty scary at this point but I'm pretty motivated.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2002, 12:47:59 PM »

I'm in class year around in some form. Starting next mon. I have two weeks of on-hour Project Management classes that I'm really looking forward to (not). Most are taught by teachers out of local community colleges.

LePaul · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2002, 01:24:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort
I'm in class year around in some form. Starting next mon. I have two weeks of on-hour Project Management classes that I'm really looking forward to (not). Most are taught by teachers out of local community colleges.

Poor Rip, could put a pinch on your posts-per-day average

mrfish · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2002, 01:38:58 PM »

get married to a chick with a good job.

LePaul · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2002, 02:55:40 PM »

And how is Pouncer?