For adults that returned to school?

[StephMK]

How did you handle it financially? I've read some work FT & do school FT but how? The program I want to join has mostly daytime classes but my family needs me to bring in income as well. I'm looking at a teaching cert/MA combo and currently have a Psych BA - yes, I read the other thread. I know I can find PT night jobs but not sure if that would be enough yet.

Also, if you have kids, how did you handle them & any activities? We have 3 so even though we limit their extra stuff, it still adds up to some running around.

I really want to do it, I'm just having trouble figuring out how it will all work & if I should give up or make it happen. I've wanted to do this for some years but can't get up the nerve & committment to be sure it's the right decision. DH is reluctantly on board if I want to do this and oldest DD will start college herself in 4 yrs.

Ugh, I don't know if I'm being selfish by trying to do this or looking at the long term pic that I could get into a field that would make me happy & pay the bills down the road. Give me your honest opinions, I want to hear them. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Can you take online classes? It won't solve the financial issues, but it will help a lot with scheduling. Even if you can't take 100% of your classes online, even if you can take 50% of the program online it will help out.

You may also be eligible for student loans.

 

[yoopermom]

Teacher here (and many of us out here in DISland, I know). I've taken 40+ credits past my masters, including two additional certifications, all online (with only occasional Sat. class thrown in). I don't know if you're currently working, but, if not, what about substitute teaching (most states will let you do it with a degree in most anything), this will be flexible, count towards your state retirement (most states), and let you see if you "really" want to teach. If you decide yes, call EVERY college in your state that offers teacher certification (may not need a full master's, save $$). You may need to take out some student loans for yourself along the way, but at least you'd still be working the same hours as your kids are in school, studying whenever you can, and will eventually have a new career. Not easy...

One last thought, don't know what state you're in, but check into how many years it takes to be vested in your state's retirement system, and ask yourself if you honestly can still work enough years to get a good retirement in. I have an aunt whose dream was to be an elementary teacher, and she worked at it piecemeal (forever), only to find out that she would have had to teach fulltime into her 70s to make it pay for her retirement! Ouch!

Terri
PS Definately ask those colleges how much more coursework it would take for you to be a school counselor or school psychologist (very different things). My cousin is starting her first job as a school counselor after earning her masters totally online.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I went back for my BS in Elementary Ed when I was 30
year 1 - sold some stock
year 2 - savings account
year 3 - savings account
year 4 - remortgaged house
year 5 student teaching - credit card

I went mostly during the day with the occassional night thrown in. I tried to schedule my classes on the same days so I would have full days off for home work and my family, let alone less gas and day care money!

I had one in day care then finally school during this time and one in middle school/hs. My older child I arranged rides for her for her activities when I couldn't be there. She also got a car at 16 because we needed her to have one! We survived on one income... barely... but we did survive and live through it. My youngest even started hockey during this time. DD was in band and cheerleading.

I'm halfway through my masters doing it online. I'm using student loans for that so I don't have to think about it. I have too much going on with their lives and mine to worry about the money for grad credits right now. There is a good chance that I'll have to switch to a bricks and mortar university, though.

 

[a1970model]

I graduated with my BS in Elem. Ed. when I was 33. I began my college education when I was 25. I worked a couple of times throughout those eight years. At one time, I was working 38 hours a week and taking 15 credit hours.... and somehow keeping up with two kids in sports and school at the same time. It wasn't easy. However, it was totally worth it.

As far as payment, I was fortunate to have the GI Bill when I was in the military. It paid for all but my last year. I didn't work the last two years since the program I was in had me student-teaching full-time. Again, it wasn't easy crunching the budget and making it work. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it was totally worth it.

Today, I have a career I love. I probably won't make "full retirement", but I will have one. And, I'm not worried about being able to pay for my own kids' education.

Since you already have a degree, you should talk to a counselor in the education dept. at whichever university you choose. You may not need to do that much in order to earn your teaching certification, which could lead to you teaching full-time much faster.

 

[DiznEeyore]

DH worked (more than) full-time and went back to school at a university that offered night and weekend-seminar courses (he had to take Fridays off for those -- they were Fri-Sat-Sun). It took 18 months and $16K in student loans but he did it!

Universities are a lot more flexible these days to accommodate adults who are going for further education.

 

[dismom24]

I am trying to get as many of my classes done online that I can. They are harder (in my opinion) because you have to wait for answers and basically self teach. I always have a book or notes with me to study. For income, I Ebay (and have done that for many years, but sales are down). When i get into my actual program, i will be studyong all the time and give up ebay. I am trying to pay down as much debt over the next 2 years, so we won't need my income. It's hard, but worth it. Good luck!

 

[JoyG]

I went back for my masters and took one class or two classes per semester. I paid for it in monthly payments from my paycheck. It took almost 6 years to get 36 credit hours, but I didn't rack up any debt.

Towards the end when I was doing my thesis, I was working full time and had newborn twins!

 

[IWannaBeTink]

I'm a single mom, and I work full time. I am working on my BS now, and I am taking all of my classes online. Student loans cover all of my tuition and books, so I don't have to pay anything until I graduate. I also get grants, so that helps a lot.

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

I work full-time and go to school full-time. I do all on-line courses through one of the state universities. I am currently finishing my undergrad right now.

One of the things I just recently discovered is that my university offers an "executive track", where you go to school every weekend from Thursday 8am to Saturday 5pm and you get your MBA within a year and a half.

It is harder because you are "self-teaching". However, it is also worth it. I love being able to do my assignments in my pjs.

No matter which way you cut it, you will probably have to make some sacrifices. If you are really self-disciplined, then you should have no problem. Doing on-line classes actually has taught me how to me more self-disciplined.

I ended up getting student loans, I paid for some of it out of my pocket, but the bulk was student loans.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[vettechick99]

Did you know you can get a job teaching and earn your certificate at the same time?

I also have a BS in Psychology and just got a SPED/regular ed. teaching certificate while I taught! I did the GA TAPP program and most states have something similar. My system paid for everything - not a penny out of my pocket - and they paid me to teach. I think I made $3k less than other entry-level teachers which is nothing considering they'd paid for my certificate training.

Look into it - it's the easiest way to teach if you already have the degree. PM if you have more questions.

 

[Karlzmom]

How did you handle it financially? I've read some work FT & do school FT but how? The program I want to join has mostly daytime classes but my family needs me to bring in income as well. I'm looking at a teaching cert/MA combo and currently have a Psych BA - yes, I read the other thread. I know I can find PT night jobs but not sure if that would be enough yet.

Also, if you have kids, how did you handle them & any activities? We have 3 so even though we limit their extra stuff, it still adds up to some running around.

I really want to do it, I'm just having trouble figuring out how it will all work & if I should give up or make it happen. I've wanted to do this for some years but can't get up the nerve & committment to be sure it's the right decision. DH is reluctantly on board if I want to do this and oldest DD will start college herself in 4 yrs.

Ugh, I don't know if I'm being selfish by trying to do this or looking at the long term pic that I could get into a field that would make me happy & pay the bills down the road. Give me your honest opinions, I want to hear them. Thanks for any advice!

I did both my B.A. and J.D. with a child. I went to school full time, borrowing along the way to make it work, with the idea that the sooner I got through the program and would make *real* money, the better. I did some work in the summers for a great company that ran science summer day camps. Good pay and they let me bring my child for nothing...can't beat that! I firmly believe that focusing on my studies also let me get the grades to win a scholarship that paid $40k of my law school. (I still can't figure out how much I'd have to work part time to have $40K available to pay into my education) Yes, I have a large student loan nut, but its being paid back with dollars that are subject to inflation, and worth less than the $ was when I got the education. Additionally, I kept my Perkins loan separate from the rest and was able to defer & cancel yearly based on my job and got it written off in 5 years. Others may disagree this is the way to go, but it worked for us.

As for managing with a family, its tricky. Everyone has to work together or the situation really can't work out. I dropped DS at school on the way to my 1st class. Studied at the library and picked him up on the way home. By treating my school like a job, I was able to be available most of the time he was home, where if I was working, I still would have needed to study sometime. Finals and the bar exam were the exceptions...then I was pretty busy. We as a family agreed at the outset that mom going to school was the best for all of us, so as a family project we all pitched in. Meals were crockpot dinners, pre-cooks on the weekend and a lot of nothing fancy. Everyone pitched in on laudry [thank goodness for uniforms..one blue load, one white load!]

Best of luck to you, if you want to PM with specific concerns or just to chat, feel free!

 

[december]

I'm getting my masters in school counseling 100% online through the University of West Alabama (www.uwa.edu). I owe the Dis a big thanks, because I found out about the program on here. I've wanted my masters for years, but just couldn't find the time or money. I finally filled out the FAFSA, and qualified for some subsidized loans (no interest until I graduate). UWA has 5 terms a year, 8 wks each. I just finished 2 classes this summer, and I started a new one this week. I'm taking one class at a time during the year (4 each school year), 2 next summer, and should be finished in May 2010. In fact, I need to be reading my text instead of Dising right now!

If you have a degree but are wanting to become certified to teach, check into alternate route with your state. I have a degree in math, minor in Business Admin., but took 3 classes and 2 tests to get certified to teach.

 

[StephMK]

Wow, thanks for the replies, definitely some things to think about & check into. I do know that you have to have a cert to sub unless you only sub 40 days a year. You are required to have at least 2 yrs of teaching experience as a certified teacher before you can enter a school counseling master's program. The county has a mandatory 7.5 they take out of your pay for retirement & they match it 100%. 15% a year for x years is nice.

Yeah, pretty sticky here, I would have been better off in my old state where you just needed a BA to sub! From what I've researched so far, the school that has the best ops for financial aid/reduced costs for adult students, only has day classes. The other possible one seems similar but I'll check more. The program I'm looking at would be 2 summers, 2 fall & 1 spring semester to complete the quickest or longer if I spread out classes.

Who knew I'd still be figuring out what I wanted to do when I grow up at close to 40??

 

[PrincessKitty1]

DH and I both went back to school in our late 30s, and we successfully earned degrees in Physical Therapy (him) and Occupational Therapy (me). We borrowed lots of money, and I have to say it was not worth it financially. With the usual 20/20 hindsight , I can tell you we would NOT do it over again if we knew then what we know now.

Everybody has a different experience so I don't want to sound like I'm saying it would be wrong for you to borrow a bunch of money to go to school. That works for some people! It was a mistake (um, I mean a learning experience) for us.

 

[crisi]

I went back at 38. Went half time (two classes a semester) year round for three and a half years working full time starting when the kids were in preschool and kindergarten.

I paid out of pocket for it. My husband and I are pretty well off and the school was cheap so it wasn't a strain.

I took one class either online or independant study each semester.

The other class was one night a week.

My husband and mother were a great help - both my sister's ended up needing my mother's help more than I did the last eighteen months - so then it was my husband being a great help. But the first year or two was really sweet with my mother just stepping in.

The program wasn't particularly challenging for me - I probably spent five hours a week outside of class total - for two classes - so that made it really easy.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I am a single mom, work fulltime, and attend school fulltime. It is a busy life. I never finished college 15 years ago, I got married helped DH husband thru college. The game plan was him first then me. Well that never happened. After I left him the first thing I did is get back into school. I am proud because I have managed to maintain a 3.9 GPA. Being single and needing to increase income for my family has not been easy. I pay for it with financial aid. Unfortunately, I do use the FA to supplement my loss of income thru my divorce. Not the first choice, but the ultimate reason to opt for FA is that I would need to stay with my employer for three after last class reimbursed or pay it all back. I really wanted a career change and another three years would set back that much further. I don't consider myslef a youngin anymore!

If you can find an employer that offers tuition reimbursement in your career path I would highly recommend it. Many employers are beginning to cut back in this area. Banks are typically pretty good about this benefit. Sometimes you need to tie it back to yor degree. Working PT at a bank can supplement your family's income and offer flexibility to attend classes. Either way you decide to pay for it, you've made a good decision to go back to school. Working retail is another option although tuition reimbursement is not a benefit at most retailers. Also there are a ton of scholarships out there, some no applies for. Many are geared towards the adult student. To find them just do a google search.

Congrats on your decision! The best I can give is look for a school that offers express classes. A majority of my classes have been 6 weeks long. I am only beginning to double up on classes. Until now I have only taken one class at a time and managed fulltime quite well. With my schedule I don't think I would have been able to handle mutiple classes. I attend Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Although I live here, I have people from SC, Washington, Boston, and Texas through my classes. It has been a great experience! I would imagine that you could complete your degree from wherever you are. I have been very pleased with Franklin and their tuition is very affordable. The price Ohio State was 15 years ago. On average, 12 hours is about 3k.

 

[december]

Wow, thanks for the replies, definitely some things to think about & check into. I do know that you have to have a cert to sub unless you only sub 40 days a year. You are required to have at least 2 yrs of teaching experience as a certified teacher before you can enter a school counseling master's program. The county has a mandatory 7.5 they take out of your pay for retirement & they match it 100%. 15% a year for x years is nice.

Yeah, pretty sticky here, I would have been better off in my old state where you just needed a BA to sub! From what I've researched so far, the school that has the best ops for financial aid/reduced costs for adult students, only has day classes. The other possible one seems similar but I'll check more. The program I'm looking at would be 2 summers, 2 fall & 1 spring semester to complete the quickest or longer if I spread out classes.

Who knew I'd still be figuring out what I wanted to do when I grow up at close to 40??

I love learning about different states policies on the dis. Here, subs just have to be breathing! It is still so hard to find anyone willing to do it.

 

[DawnM]

When I went to grad school the 2nd time I had 2 kids.

I was able to take classes only one night a week instead of two because they assumed most adults worked full time (which I did by the way) and DH worked it out to come home early that night so that I could go.

I spent most weekends studying and studied as much as I could at work and evenings.

You just DO IT and make it work. You don't think about what you are missing, how tired you are, or anything....you just do what you gotta do and don't think about it!

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

Not all states do this. Thankfully, CA did when I got my credentials and I was paid beginning teaching salary while going to school (but no kids or DH back then). CA no longer does this.

So, it doesn't work everywhere.

Dawn

Did you know you can get a job teaching and earn your certificate at the same time?

I also have a BS in Psychology and just got a SPED/regular ed. teaching certificate while I taught! I did the GA TAPP program and most states have something similar. My system paid for everything - not a penny out of my pocket - and they paid me to teach. I think I made $3k less than other entry-level teachers which is nothing considering they'd paid for my certificate training.

Look into it - it's the easiest way to teach if you already have the degree. PM if you have more questions.