Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

[Litodude]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

Moral of the story: There are a lot of ways to get an education.

Edit- Speaking of the military in my previous post, let me enlighten you on a few of the reasons why I joined. I'm not trying to say it's a better route to take - some people really are against the military - but I can tell you it saved me a lot of money for my education.

Aside from the military aspect of serving in the Air Force, I've been able to get a bunch of my schooling done that would've cost me the a bucket load out-of-service. Education is probably the biggest concern this year (e.g Year of the Community College of the Air Force) and they've been pushing for all of the young Airmen and senior enlisted to get their degrees as well. Luckily, I joined the service for those reasons: Education, work experience, discipline and networking.


I've received 50 credits, or semester hours for others, without having to do anything extra or voluntarily paying for them. They're counted toward a degree at CCAF, something every Airman is automatically enrolled in when you join (my degree is in IT). I've taken classes prior-military, and I was given time off work to take extra classes during the work day. Not to mention DSSTs/CLEPs are free for all military the first time they take any specific test. Taking this route instead to complete my educational goals, I'm in line with the class I graduate from back in high school and am actually ahead of most of them - save for the ones that have overloaded their schedules with just schoolscholschool. Oh, those people are in a quite a hefty amount of debt still, regardless of scholarships.

So all-in-all, I paid for the tuition of the 12 semester-hours I took prior-military to obtain my 2-yr degree. Oh and the degree is regionally accredited. Oh and I'm in the middle of voluntary separation because my career field is over-manned so I'm going back to school full time, job part-time with the expertise I've gained while using G.I. Bill benefits to -still- have free schooling with a nice little BAH income on the side.

[ddrxero64]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

@kmay and Reincarnate - You guys get it, and I hope people here listen. This is the stuff everyday people go through. I do admit there are people out there who may have money and still know the value of a dollar, but it doesn't change the fact that middle to lower class students are suffering for trying to get an education. Good stuff guys.

@Lito - I only dreamed I could have joined the military. I would have risked my life to be able to get a great education and not worry about if I'll have money to buy a meal in between classes. I practically agree with you 100%, and whether or not the military is a bad thing, it's helping out a lot of students. To be honest, I just realized that all the politicians (primarily Democrats) complaining about the money being spent on the military don't take into account what the military does for freshly graduated students. On their behalf, a republican might just use this as an excuse to back up their already screwed up political theories. I'll avoid the politics though, let's just keep it at I don't agree with either party at the moment.

Sadly, I tried to join. But having Tourette's Syndrome, a genetic disorder with no cure, they wouldn't accept me. Instead I work an almost minimum wage job that is the best my city can offer, and I struggle just to get through a community college. For those unable to join the military due to reasons like this, you'll be discouraged. But there are other ways to leapfrog your way through the education system to get to where you want.

I would suggest Career Institutes, places that train you in 6-16 week programs specifically for the workforce, primarily medical, small business, etc. I don't plan to be a nurse, but I'll do it if it means getting a decent salary until I can achieve my real goals.

[Phlegmatism]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

I always hated the idea of loans. It seems that if you know what you're doing with them and/or know another person who has dealt with them, then go ahead but the idea seems dangerous.

[Patricoo]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

The .jpg there gives a lot of good advice at the end and information throughout, but I'm a bit annoyed where they place the blame.

First the advice, in that its wonderful. I'm doing exactly what it suggested. My first year I started at my local community college as a Communications major living from harm with a part-time job and a summer source of income at a camp. Then I transferred to a super-cheap state school that, although it sucks to be in, is an excellent choice considering the alternatives are schools that charge way too much for their mediocre quality of education. (I went to meteorology, struggled, but fell back on a Government minor, promoted to major. Its all good! Horray Plan B's!) I'll be graduating in two weeks with five years of schooling, one from a community and the rest from state. There is nothing demeaning about it and I'm glad to see the stereotype of 'four year fancy-pants dream college' as the only way to slowly fall apart even in the hiring professional world.

-> I've deleted half a rant about people not taking personal responsibility. No one is going to read it and this is just a forum message board. No reason to get too 'srs.' Anyone who is about to go to college or has just started, please be aware of your finances. College, whether or not you think the system is out to get you, is a tens of thousand dollar investment and not a time to 'find yourself.' Don't get surprised here.

[GG_Guru]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

I got a 700 dollar grant right after I signed up for student loans. Ain't that some shit.

[DotKritic]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

Luckily, my dad helps pay for my classes. All I have to do is pass them and work F/T during the summer.

[A2P]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

thats it. im becoming a dealer

[ddrxero64]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

thats it. im becoming a dealer

Which is what slowly happened to the corrupt city I live in. It's this logic that will enter the heads of lower class students with great potential.

[cry4eternity]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

Grants and scholarships have covered my first two years. However next semester one of my huge grants runs out (approx. $5000/semester). I've been applying for multiple scholarships, co-ops, and paid internships to help offset it, with no luck so far. You'd think there would be more programs for sophomore computer engineers with perfect GPAs.

Worst case, if I have to take out loans for the rest of college... $25,000 isn't bad considering many other students accumulate that after just one year.

[qqwref]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

Excuse me? Don't get a loan? What alternative do you suggest? For a typical college-bound student the only other options are (a) not go to college, or (b) pay in full, and neither are even close to a good idea. It sucks, but it's part of life. Deal w/.

[Litodude]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

Or, you know, not give fallacious ultimatums because there are other solutions that I'm sure your college-level brain can rationalize as alternatives.

[Litodude]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

(protip: i gave you an option in one of my posts, in this very thread!)

[qqwref]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

Fair enough, those aren't the ONLY options, but the others aren't much better. Working is an option, but it takes some serious effort (and with the unemployment situation it's not going to be an option for everyone). It definitely depends on where you go and what kind of education you're looking for. And I wouldn't consider anything military an option, unless you're already planning on moving in that direction.

[Oni-Paranoia]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

Interesting image... Explains a lot in a nutshell.

[DotKritic]

Re: Student loans and why you -shouldn't- get one.

You could work, but it would most likely be seasonal work during the summer.