Stay Home Mom Wants Desperately to Get Her Degree!!

Empire State College! Taking my first class there now. Hard work, but WAY cheaper than other online.

www.esc.edu

J.,
I would look at other colleges. Call and ask if they have online programs. They may offer at least some of their classes online. You could start taking some clsses now and maybe finish in a few years when the kids are in school all day. That is what I did.
Good Luck.

J.,
I am a stay at home mom also and I was going to school online. Try looking into Grand Canyon University and Ashford College. They both have online degrees and are considerbly cheaper that University of Phoenix. I looked into Phoenix and the cost was outragous. I did my work when the baby was napping and at night after she went to bed. I hope you find something that works for you.

I have a bachelors degree in Marketing. Most of my education was funded by a FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN through Sallie Mae. I also had several FEDERAL PERKINS LOANS. There was also other funding sources but those were the biggest chunk of it and the good thing was I didn't have to start paying back until a certain point past my graduation date and interest was not accruing during that time either. Check out Sallie Mae at least to get a better idea of federal vs private loans. Look - I just read this and copied and pasted it for you - basically just what I was saying Federal student loans are the largest source of education loans. You and your family can get these loans through private financial institutions such as Sallie Mae.

"Federal student loans have more favorable terms than private loans. These loans are guaranteed by the government, and the government sets their low interest rate. Nearly all students are eligible to receive federal student loan money (regardless of credit score or other financial issues), and federal student loans feature a grace period after school when no payments are due."

Heres the link:
http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/find_student_lo...

It might be a good resource to learn about what options could be out there too The fact is you are most likely going to have to take out LOANS. Any and all loans you can get. I'll be paying mine for many many many more years to come - I graduated in 1996 but I got my degree! The payment comes out of my account each month and I don't even think about it!

Try looking into local state schools and community colleges (most offer online courses these days I think)You can take your pre-requisite classes and electorals there and transfer over to another school (which is probably more expensive) that offers the degree that you want. Could be cheaper and their financial aid offices could be more helpful. A college degree is EXPENSIVE - bottom line - you need to really research and shop around and you need to take it one class/one semester at a time. Its not going to be easy but you can do it!

I've worked at companies that pay for tuition but thats usually only if your education is in line with what you are doing at the company and in line with advancement. I haven't seen any company pay for just any education. If you can look to work for a company in the industry you want to be in then that would be an option but it sounds like since you can't take the time to go to the acutal classes that taking time for another job might not be an option BUT if you could find it and make other arrangements in your life it would be possilbe. I work full time with a 2 yr old. You can do anything you really want to do -it doesn't mean its going to be easy. You are just overwhelmed right now with how to do it!

PS - while you are looking online about federal student loans and options for yourself I suggest you look for information about investing in a 529 college savings plan for your daughter and sign up for UPROMISE too for her! Might as well start planning for her future while you plan for yours! : ) GOOD LUCK!

<cue the "entrepreneurs" trying to sell you on "becoming your own boss" with Avon, Pampered Chef, Arbonne, Taste of Home, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware and the like.>

Seriously, though, many jobs will only pay for college if you're taking classes related to the job you're doing for them. For example, as a writer, my job would pay for me to take classes in Web design, but not education. If you worked for an attorney, they would probably pay for you to take classes to become a legal assistant or paralegal, but not to become a video editor.

Your best bet might be to get a 9-5 job that will allow you to take classes at night or take classes during the day and work at night when your husband gets home. There's no easy answer.

Or, if late nights are better for you because that's when your husband gets home, one of these "consultant" jobs with a catalog company like Arbonne or Cookie Lee or Tastefully Simple might be good for you.

I guess it's all worth looking into, but if you keep making excuses- that everything's so expensive and you have no time because of your husband's schedule - then you're left with not getting your degree and never getting your dream job. If you want something bad enough, you have to make it happen, because no one else is going to do it for you.

Good luck. I hope it all works out.

Like you, I have put up getting my bachelor's degree on hold for a while, so I know all the excuses. :-) Last year I finally signed up for online courses. Again, like you, I was looking into the Phoenix Online but did not enroll because of how expensive tuition was and also because I heard lots of people having problems transferring those credits to another school. Anyway, I found out that CUNY offers online degrees and they are pretty affordable (four courses come up btw $2000-$2500).
Here is the link: http://online.sps.cuny.edu/
I won't lie; it is a lot of work, so if you decide to enroll make sure to do one or two classes at a time. Also, keep in mind that there is going to be A LOT of writing. The one good thing is that this degree is from an accredited school so your money will not go to waste. It is never too late to go back to school so good luck!!

Wow that sounds like a cool career. Has any of your research included working and/or interning in some capacity in the entertainment industry? If not, then I would suggest you find your way into a company (or work for a freelancer) as a receptionist or intern for at least a year to gain some experience, get some exposure to the work, and network with people who work in this field before putting out the money for going to school for it. This way you can still make money and gain some resume experience!

Hopefully then you can be directed on the right path to take for schooling plus have built up a resume. good luck!

I admire the fact that you want to do something more with your life! Too many of us Moms just kind of "let go" once we have kids and don't get the chance to fulfill any personal desires!!!

I don't have any advice really, other than to look into student loans and/or scholarships. Just be careful of the financial aspect. The last thing you want is to end up in debt which can bring so much burden to a family. We are STILL paying my student loans and I graduated in 2005. It's neverending.

Good luck to you! I hope all your dreams come true! :)
Lynsey

Definitely fill out the FAFSA as someone already mentioned. That will determine how much help you are "eligible" to receive. Also, like some of the other online universities mentioned, look into Western Governor's University, which is the school I am "attending." They are a lot cheaper as well. I was enrolled to go to New Jersey City University but when I decided to go full time with my unit (I am in the Army) and I wanted to take classes online, I was told they didn't offer many classes online and it wasn't possible. So make sure to check into what local schools have available online before applying. Look into what types of financial aid the schools offer and what scholarships you can apply for. Between Fafsa and scholarships you should be able to take a good chunk out of the cost of tuition.
Not many people would consider this an option but there is also the Army Reserves. I am a Soldier and the benefits are awesome. They pay for my tuition and student fees. I only have to pay for books. You can also get extra money every month from the GI Bill if you get it written into your contract. You do one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. This works for me great and I proud to serve but at the same time realize it is not for everyone. Just another option.

Once your daughter starts school full time you can rearrange your schedule and enroll in the community college. The tuition is very reasonable and they have flexible hours. Call them for a directory. And good luck

try taking a course at a time. maybe through a community college or a votech school in your area. you'll pay by the class. it's still expensive, but if that's what you want then go for it.

I'm getting my associates online at Bergen Community College. A number of their degree programs can be completed online. There may be 1 or 2 you can't, but they also offer later evening classes and Saturdays. I took one evening class starting at 7:40pm. Otherwise I do it all online and love it. Email me if you have questions or want to chat.

Hi. I would suggest that you try to get a job or internship in the field you described, whatever it may be. Check it out and see if you like it. You can make contacts, find out which school might be best for you, and then maybe you can receive financial help, either from your employer, a grant that you mentioned, etc...Good luck.
J.

My husband works in the film and TV industry on the locations/ crew side of things. I don't know a ton about the film editing side of things. But I do know that the whole industry from the film crews to the producing to the acting are all a big exclusive club. My husband gets most of his work through word of mouth.
Before you start sinking money into a degree i think it would behoove you to do a little research about the industry. And also be realistic about what you will and won't do. My husband works with the film crews on an episodic TV show here in the city which is nice steady work, but he still spends about 3-4 months out of the completely unemployed or searching for daily or weekly jobs (he is non union). TV is nice because he has several days in the production office (9-6) but the set days are variable, from 6am-midnight, sometimes from Noon to 4 in the morning depending on the shots they need. He likes it, but there are definitely some downsides. The behind the scenes production people work just as hard, just at different points in the production. Movies are even harder because there can be months of prep work, followed by weeks of 18 hour days. When my husband works on the set, he literally won't see our son except on weekends.
I don't say this to scare you, but to prepare you. Editing is in house work so not as bad as set work, but I would not expect 9-5 and alot of projects lose financing and fall apart before filming even begins. If none of this scares you, than I would say GO FOR IT!! because it ain't easy, but it is seriously cool. But see if you can find some friends in the industry. Or contact the DGA (Director's Guild Association) directly, perhaps they have career advice available? You may not HAVE to get a degree, or you may be able to find a less expensive school where you can meet colleagues. My hubby has an illustration degree, and got into the industry through a friend in the teamsters union. So you never know! There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Good Luck!

Hi J..
There are alot of state univ like new jersey state univ.(in jersey city) that have course you take online, only needing to go to the actually campus few times a semester for things like finials.... i did the research for this when my now ex husband was going back to school. You cant take all your classes this way but quit a few... check it out.
good luck.
M.

Hi J.,

I hear and feel your frustration. I went back to school to finish my degree when my daughter was 1 year old. My husband and I both worked full time, and I took evening and Sat. courses. Sat. classes work well because you can take a couple of classes beginning at 8:00am and get out by 10:30 or 11. Another thing is, most colleges and universities have classes that begin at 8:00pm during the week. You may be able to do that 2 times a week.
I agree with the othe moms, this is going to be a process, one or two classes at a time. I finished my degree and got a really good job. The sacrifice is great, but the reward and financial stability for your family is even greater.
On another note, I once worked for private colleges, i.e trade schools, online schools, etc.... they cost an arm and a leg, and honestly, depending on the field that you get into, most employers will rather choose someone that went to a physical school verses someone that studied online. Do your research and see how employers feel about online degrees before investing that kind of money.
Most of all, if you are a spiritual woman, pray, God will make things clear for you.
Best wishes
D.

Hi,
another option is to work AT a college where one of the perks is free/reduced tuition...
Other community colleges have online classes where you could start there...

I don't have any easy answers. You will need to figure it out, keep asking people how they do it, etc.
Do you have any family/friends that are able to help out?

Hang in there...

J., you have to think like a 17 year old - get out there and apply for scholarships, scholarships, scholarships! You can do it! Just be careful about paying someone to find those scholarships for you - you can dump a lot of money into that and find only the bare minimum.

Go to the library. Ask the librarian. Usually they are willing to help. :)

Go online. Find what is available. You might be able to qualify for loans (hear me out!) that cover tuition (and don't forget - $100's for books now too!) and you don't have to pay back until you graduate. (disclaimer - don't graduate and you have to start paying 6 months after your last class).

You can do it. Maybe you won't get in this semester, but you might get enough response that you can go NEXT! Or start in the summer. There is $ out there. If there is anything I remember from college, it was the 1,000's that no one applied for, and our professors were telling us about getting off our duffs and who wouldn't want tuition paid like that?

You're 25. You're not over 50 like a friend of mine who has 5 classes left to go. If he can do it, so can you. And it ISN'T too late.

Good luck, and get that pen out and start writing for tuition benefits!
M.

You should check into what some of the community colleges have to offer. Some of them have on-line classes that are affordable. I have 3 kids with different neurological disorders and I've so far completed 3/4 of my education. It's very hard especially since I've had to take a few student loans just to accomodate the fianancial lose to get my education, but in the end it'll be worth it.

Also if you do check into the local community colleges they have a department that can help with scholarships, and grants. It's worth checking into.

You did not mention the prospect of getting a student loan. That is how most people do it. Check with your bank first.

J., my guess is that you are working too many hours for too little money. If your daughter is starting school, I would try to get a job in the school system. A teaching assistant job could give you the money you need with school time hours (an aide/monitor job may be easier to get for a little less money and you have your foot in the door), and you'd have very little need for childcare, pretty much the same hours your daughter is in school, same holidays/vacations off. I would go to the public schools and look at their postings. You would have those evenings free to take classes at a local school or do online courses.
Good luck!

I tried UOP too and also had financial issues with them..will NEVER go there again.

I "went" to Kaplan University-online and received two degrees. I got student loans and PHEA.

Check them out. http://www.kaplan.edu
My student advisor and finaid lady are great. We still keep in touch.

God luck,
Nanc

Hi J.
wow sounds like a wonderful plan.
Why not get your core courses done at the local community college? Call them. Locally you can do courses on line.
I know that Jefferson Community College has on line courses because my girls took/take classes on campus there so we have all their lit. If you figured you could go to college on line at Univ of Phoenix why not local on line. $20,000 is absurd for 2 years. That sounds like live on campus prices.
Private schools are expensive, but .... Yikes,
God bless you as you make these decisions
K. SAHM married 38 years-- adult children -- 38, coach; 33, lawyer, married with 1yo DS; twins both in college --
journalism major commuting to community college graduates in 2010,& has decided to continue education; fine arts major on campus and loving it == homeschooled them both through high school, and both are on dean's lists at their respective schools.

Hi J.,

One class at a time. You just plug away. I know it's not the solution you're looking for but, trust me, life details are always changing ... so even the perfect solution would be challenging.

Your situation will change and you'll be able to accomplish more but, until that happens, take one class at a time.

My dad was 54 years old when he finally finished his BA. He's not sure this helped him any, but my brothers said that it motivated them to earn their Master's ... while supporting families and paying mortgages. Dad says that made his BA worth it all.

I am 46 years old. My life has changed in ways that I never imagined.=( But! I have been plugging away, one class at a time ... and it will happen for me.

Make it happen for you.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, http://www.fastweb.com/

Hi J.,
I was a stay-at-home for nearly four years up until three weeks ago. I took online courses at an accredited institution to obtain my MBA in February. Try again to take the online courses. Yes, it's expensive, but it's so worth it. Don't let that stop you. When you begin working, you can start paying off the loans you get. Also, student loans are not considered "bad debt". You can also work with the lenders if you don't start working soon after you graduate. Like other responders, you need to find out how you can get into the industry, even if it's as a volunteer--just to get your foot in the door and meet key people. If you want it bad enough, it'll happen. Sending you wishes for much success in your chosen career!