Going To School Without Taking Out Loans?

[AnnaNova]

has anyone successfully done so? i really really dont want a loan when i start school (which hopefully will be soon), what are other options except for a pell grant? what about if you do an intense program of study (so u graduate earlier), and so can't work?
thanks

[PenelopeJune]

My brother went to 2 years at a junior college, then 2 years of nursing school and hasn't paid a dime.

He is in band, and for that, he got a scholarship that paid for all of his classes for all four years. Then he got a Pell grant that took care of his books, plus gas money and stuff. (He lives at home with my dad.)

I'd talk to the school you plan to go to and see what kind of financial aid is available.

[zebra15]

Grants, scholarships, working,.... only taking the classes you can actually pay for.... there are ways to do it.

A big $$ saver is buy your books online or an older edition if possible. Bookstores on campus are a huge rip off... my book was for example $150 at the bookstore... the previous edition on line was under $10 shipped to my door.

[annethcz]

Yup, I went to a private grad/professional school without getting loans. It was expensive, but we paid for it by using money from savings and cash-flowing the expense. During this time DH was working full time and had a part time job; I was going to school full time and working part time.

[vbactivist]

my husband put himself through school without any loans/financial aid/etc. It was a small liberal arts college. He went for two years to a community college, then 2 years to the college he graduated from. He worked and saved. It is possible, but not very much fun, I'm afraid.

[bec28]

I don't know if this is an option for you, but my DH and I put ourselves through school without paying for anything (except books) by working at the school we went to. Part of the benefits package was free schooling (they'll pay for one degree at each level, so one bachelor's, one master's and one doctorate).

Wasn't much fun working full time and doing school full time but it is definitely do-able.

[AnnaNova]

thanks for the replies! there just was a similar thread at working and student section of mdc, and both of these were very helpful...
my husband and i are both researching what's available to us, so hopefully we'll find something soon... great to know it is doable.

[EFmom]

Both dh and I got our masters degrees without taking loans. We worked full time and went to school part time, usually one or two classes a semester.

[velochic]

Full-time job (30 - 40 hrs. a week), grants and scholarships. Also scholarships and grants were easier to get during the summer months (this would have been the 80's), so I ALWAYS took summer classes. Less competition for the free money. I carried a full load (sometimes as much as 17 credit hours) and worked. My grades were probably a little lower because of this, but I still graduated with a good GPA. I also shared a 1 bedroom apt. Cramped, but you couldn't beat $140 for rent! A lot of my friends rented their own apartments and were paying for their loans for 10 years or more.

[EmsMom]

Something I learned in undergrad work is that you only pay for 12 credits. You can take 15, 18 or even 21 credits after paying for 12 "for free". I had several semesters of 18 and 21 credits (need special permission for 21) while I worked part-time. Really cuts down the time before graduating. I know some folks might not be able to handle the load (I didn't have kids then!!!), but it is something to keep in mind, especially during the first couple of years when the work is easier. Also, my wonderful reference librarian at the town library orders my text books and keep renewing them for me for the whole semester. Many professors are happy to put the textbook on reserve at the library if you request it. That saves on book costs.

Some colleges offer free tuition or reduced tuition if you work there. Some even do it for part-time employees. And some offer it for dependents as well. There always seem to be a myriad of positions available from housekeepers and custodial to secretaries and management positions, so it is worth considering if you have a college nearby.

You can also take the CLEP tests and place out of some introductory subjects which will save you money. Or start at a community college and then transfer as that tuition will probably be lower.

And do not forget that even in this economy, many schools still have good endowments as far are scholarships. Try for everything!!!

Now does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get out of grad school on the cheap??? I was asked to apply for an assistantship, but I am already working part-time and can't see doing both jobs and having a full course load. I can probably get out of here with $20,000 in loans which seems like a prudent investment (I paid of any undergrad loans years ago), but still... There doesn't seem to be too much in grad school scholarships out there.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by EmsMom

Something I learned in undergrad work is that you only pay for 12 credits. You can take 15, 18 or even 21 credits after paying for 12 "for free".

This is not how it is at the university where I did my undergrad (dh happens to be a professor there now). I paid for every credit hour and they still charge by the credit hour. I'm sure it differs from school to school, so it would be prudent to check it out ahead of time before making that assumption.

[SeekingJoy]

Originally Posted by EmsMom

Now does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get out of grad school on the cheap??? I was asked to apply for an assistantship, but I am already working part-time and can't see doing both jobs and having a full course load. I can probably get out of here with $20,000 in loans which seems like a prudent investment (I paid of any undergrad loans years ago), but still... There doesn't seem to be too much in grad school scholarships out there.

It depends on the degree program. For most humanities degrees, an assistantship and only $20k in loans is a great deal. For something in the sciences, keep looking. It varies widely among professional programs.

Also, depending on the degree and your career path, an assistantship might be more valuable if it gives in-field experience, even if it is just trading one low-wage job for another. Also, some assistantships come with in-state tuition vs. out-of-state.

You can PM me if you want help crunching numbers.

[ArtsyMomma]

Originally Posted by EmsMom

Something I learned in undergrad work is that you only pay for 12 credits. You can take 15, 18 or even 21 credits after paying for 12 "for free". I had several semesters of 18 and 21 credits (need special permission for 21) while I worked part-time. Really cuts down the time before graduating.

Keep in mind, in some programs to graduate 'On Time' you need to take 19 or 20 credits per semester to meet the requirements.

[eirual]

We're hoping to put DH through school this Fall without touching debt. A few things need to fall in place to make that possible:

-saving (aiming for $450/mo from now until Sept.)
-selling stuff (our two vans, furniture, whatever else we can sell)
-me working/doing childcare over the summer (I teach)
-we have to move out East for school, so lowering living expenses once we get there and choosing our rental wisely.
-I have to get a FT teaching job so we can actually live and pay next semester's tuition (I'm willing to go out regardless and get whatever job I can, DH says he's only comfortable going through with this if I can get a decent paying teaching job....we'll see).
-I have yet to look into scholarships...they're lots of work for something you may or may not actually get (lots of essays). Worth a weekend of time and talking to someone who would know which would be good to apply for though- we'll see!

[Knittin' in the Shade]

There's lots of grant and scholoarship money out there for adult students, so definitely research and apply for every one you can think of. What program are you planning to study? I'm planning to return to school as a second-degree student, to get my BNS (I already have a BA double major in politics + government, and English) The programs are all between $30-39K for the whole course of study (between 14-22 months) But that doesn't include books, etc. I've been considering getting a jobat a hospital now (part time) so that they will kick in tuition reimbursement when the time comes - that seems to be the best solution!