Married Woman wanting to Attend College

[diznee25]

I'm a 25 year old married woman who has a high school diploma and would like to attend college to get a bacholor's degree in psychology. The main issue of course is money. From what I understand, most married adults going to college don't qualify for Federal Aid because as a couple, they make too much money. (My husband and I bring in $57,000 a year in gross income.) I used a free federal aid caculator online to see if I would qualify for Federal Aid. According to the results, I get zero dollars in aid because supposedly I can afford to pay for all my schooling. Yea right! I do realize I might also qualify for stundent loans, but if I receive no Aid whatsoever, I can't afford $30,000 in loans!!!

Are there any adults here on the boards going to college and are married? Did you qualify for Federal Aid, and how are you paying for your college?
Are there other methods I should try that I may be overlooking?
Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[crz4mm2]

I had to pay all of mine. No aid at all. Did get loans.... Still paying for them 6 years later. But it was worth it!

 

[chrissyk]

I did my grad. degree after I was married. My company paid for the entire thing, except books. Why not look into your company's tuition reimbursement program? If your company does not have one, there are lots of other companies that do! My sister also had her law degree entirely paid for by her employer. We both went nights.

If this is not an option, you could certainly take $1000 worth of classes for free every year using the tuition tax credit. 3-credit classes at the public college in my area cost about $300 each. You may be able to CLEP out of some courses toward your degree using "life credits," too. Good luck...where there's a will, there's a way!

 

[Cindy B]

I am the same boat. I pay for my courses in cash. Yes, thats a tight time for us, but I pay for the courses in a time, when I can afford them.

With working, kids, school, its a bit crazy, but I do two classes a semester. (usually 7 week classes)

As for loans, I will have to eventually do that because I have to take courses at a different school. (higher cost)

My company does not reimburse until you get to the graduate level.

 

[nativetxn]

I had to pay my tuition, too. I was lucky not to have to take out a loan but if that's what it would take, I'd do it

 

[Aimeedyan]

You can def do it, but remember that most NON-MARRIED students don't receive aid because they always counter in their parents income, even if their parents won't contribute anything. Because of that, I received NO money during undergrad except for loans... and not much of that. I think married adults are better off, because they don't have to include parents incomes. (we now qualify for lots more loans, but Im doing grad work and they dont offer grants for that)

I wouldn't give up on it before you actually turn in the report and see what you get back.

Also, I would venture to say that most students have to take out loans to pay for it, and that's just part of going to school... unfortuntely. We do it, our friends did, most people do it. Payoff is that you've accomplished something as great as an undergrad degree and hopefully will be working in a field that you enjoy. Remember that this is your LIFE and your CAREER - and worth every dime in loan money, IMO. I wouldn't let that deter me, personally, from my dreams and goals. Loans are "good debt", low interest, and small payments usually.

Have you looked into state universities? You do NOT need 30k in loans to get most educations... shop around at diff schools. Lots of private schools will offer many other scholarships, too, in order to make it more affordabloe for students, so narrow down your choices and then just meet with financial aid counselors at each school about the realistic costs involved. Don't give up until you hear the facts from the source.

You mentioned you want to do psychology... do you already have a career in mind, and are you sure a BA in Psych will get you in? Psych usualyl does nothing for you until you get a graduate degree in it, I have a handful of friends that got one and it can't get them a job in anything psych related. While an interesting field, I wouldn't recommend a BA in it unless you are SURE you can find a job with it right after graduation. I took a lot of psych courses, but did not major in it.

Take basic courses at your local community college. that is what I did. 60 hours or so at $33 a semester hour- can't beat that with a stick!!!!! Just make sure all your hours will transfer to the college you want to finish at. Best decision I made! Plus, most community colleges will offer very flexible courses that will enable you to continue working and such (internet, distance learning, self paced, weekend only, week long, nightly). Lots of universities don't offer as many, since most students are there FT.

Let me know if you have any question! =)

 

[MagicalMom]

I've used credit cards, cash & mostly student loans to pay for my schooling. It was worth it in the end.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not only do non-married students get denied aid because of parent income...if the parent doesn't fill out the FAFSA not only do they not get aid but cannot even take out a loan!
I just hate that rule.

 

[danacara]

No advice, but I wanted to say to someone so close to me in age (I'm 24) - best of luck! Psychology is fascinating stuff.

 

[canwegosoon]

Not only do you have a harder time by only qualifying for non subsidised loans, but with a BA in Psychology, you will have a hard time finding a job...you should also consider that you will at least have to get a masters to get a job in the field. Good luck...I hope you find what you need, it is out there....I got my stlns through Charter one (Teri Loans I believe)

 

[Pugdog007]

Kudos on trying to go back to school! But a bit of advice, choose a different major. I have a BA in Psychology and it isn't worth the paper it's written on. I tried to use it right after I graduated... quickly learned that I was going to have to choose a different profession if I wanted to make more than $18k/year. You need a doctorate to make any money.

 

[Pop Daddy]

you should stay home and cook and have babys

 

[kylara]

Some suggestions. First, check into community college for the first two years, they are usually cheaper than the state universities (and much cheaper than private universities). Complete the FASFA even if you don't think you will qualify. You want to do this for two reasons...the first being is you never know, you might qualify, the second is that most scholarships (even private ones given by foundations and business) want to see that the FASFA in on file.

Check out scholarships from private foundations. You can usually get the names of websites for scholarships from your college FA office (note: you don't have to sign up for pay sites, there are plenty out their to do searches for free).

Student Loans will be an option. The big mistake many people make is to take out the full loan even if they don't need it. That is good if you have plans on making the extra work for you, but I have seem many students just spend it on stuff they don't need. If you know you do not need the entire loan, then just take out the minimum amount you need.

Good luck with school. But as others have stated, be aware that there are few professions that you will be able to do with only a Bachelors in Psychology so as you count up the cost, you might want to do it based on at least a Master's degree.

 

[olena]

Chris is off to school this Fall. We're in the same boat with federal aid. I got on the net and did a ton of research on scholarships. I found 10 for him to apply to. He got one, so that helps.

http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp

http://www.cs.mun.ca/~sline/ques.html

 

[diznee25]

Pugdog007,

Thanks for the advice. Actually I was thinking of taking classes at my local community college and while Psychology is offered, the college only specializes in Associates Degrees. So Psychology is out of the question. I'll have to pick a different program.

Pikes Peak Community College charges $66.80 per credit hour, and most courses are 3 credits. So depending on the program I choose, it will cost between $4,500--$8,500. Not bad for a two year degree! (Although it'll take my longer because I work.)


Thanks for the support everyone!
Diznee25

 

[OceanAnnie]

I scanned the posts. Not sure if it was mentioned, but maybe you could find a part-time job at the college or university you want to attend. (Were you planning on quitting your current job?) If you work for a college or university, usually you can take a couple of classes a semester for free. Nice perk!

It's worth looking into!

 

[diznee25]

you should stay home and cook and have babys

When you say it Pop Daddy, it's funny.
When my father tells me that girls shouldn't go to college and should stay home to have kids and cook.....not funny. He doesn't support my decision to attend college.



Ok, I'm done being serious now! Sorry to get personal...

Diznee25

 

[M's_girl]

I've been in school for seven of the (almost) nine years I've been married. I'm a full-time teacher who has done a masters and (almost) an Ed.D., both in Educational Technology. I've (we've) paid for all of this ourselves. We have slowly gone into debt, but not by much because I've gotten raises based on the classes.

Community college for the first two years is great, and then also check to see if you will qualify for any scholarships. Even if you end up borrowing, it is still worth it.

 

[Pop Daddy]

Originally posted by diznee25
When you say it Pop Daddy, it's funny.
When my father tells me that girls shouldn't go to college and should stay home to have kids and cook.....not funny. He doesn't support my decision to attend college.



Ok, I'm done being serious now! Sorry to get personal...

Diznee25

thats because you know Im just teasing

 

[JVL1018]

My husband goes to college-he is 37, married, 2 kids, house, living on one income(his).
We paid for his schooling with cash up until the past couple of years when he got loans, which will end up to be about $15,000. He did not qualify for any grants.
The good news is he graduates in May-yay!!!
I would get an AA at a community college and transfer over to a 4 year school fopr my BA-that's what he did and it saved us a lot of money.