<p>I have been trying to go to school for the last three years. Every year something has come up that prevents it (mostly family). I am married and have three children, which is where most of the trouble comes in. I decided this year that I would go no matter what, even if I had to take out student loans. Well, with our situation I wouldn't be able to go without student loans. The only problem is, in the last seven months my credit went to almost perfect to very very bad, and now I can't get any student loans (I am receiving some federal aid, but I need more). I have no credit worthy cosigner, so no one will give me a private loan. My fin. aid office isn't much help either. They tell me pretty much the same thing I all ready know (I usually talk to somebody that's there for workforce, and admits they don't know what to tell me). Getting a job would be very hard due to daycare. My husband works evenings, and I'd be going to school during the day. I don't have daycare in the evenings. A part time job on the weekends doesn't really work either. I need to supplement my current income. Does anyone have any idea on what I could do, or if there's any place willing to give a credit risk a loan with no cosigner? (ps: I am also applying for scholarships - but I'm not holding out much hope, nor will I base my future on the possibility of getting one)</p>
<p>take community colleges classes until your credit improves, then transfer?</p>
<p>The college I'm going to is a community college.
The cost is not much different than a university</p>
<p>O/P, do you haev a job? You can go part time at Community College and go on a payment plan. I mean, that way you would at least still be going to school. You can always build yourself up with the schooling, you do not need to go full time right off the bat. The average, estimated cost of two Community College classes is way under 1grand. </p>
<p>Also, you say you obtained some financial aid. Ask the head of the fin aid department at your Community College if you could go part time for right now. If it is not breaking a rule, then they can adjust your financial aid package to reflect part time status. But remember to please ask the head of the financial aid department to make sure it is not breaking a rule. </p>
<p>Could you take, like, two classes online? Maybe that way you will not have to worry a whole lot about childcare or something? </p>
<p>Also, if you have a job. Then maybe you could go to an attorney who could help you work out deals with your creditors? A lot of attorneys will do that and I am personally saving up money to do that myself. You could try that. Since you live in Minnesota, look up what the Lutherans do with regards to helping folks with their finances, they have a non profit that helps folks but I cannot remember what it is called.</p>
<p>I am sorry you are not able to work on weekends. You would be amazed as to how many resturant managers will hire folks to work only on the weekends. Like a waitressing job. You can hunt around and really try to to make the manager think his resturant will go to heck on weekends if he does not hire you. I did that and start at a humble resturant two weekends from now, so I can wait tables and earn extra money. </p>
<p>That is all I know, but goo luck O/P.</p>
<p>DO NOT GIVE UP!</p>
<p>I am currently working, but that job will end in October.<br>
My biggest problem is the two classes I am taking at the college. It's chem and biology, both with labs. It leaves me with one day during the week I don't have to drive there (it's about 50 miles away - there's none closer). I am also enrolled for two online classes, but if I dropped something all it would do is drop the fin aid I am all ready getting in half.<br>
I do admit that my biggest problem is my husband. He's jealous of me going back to school (I've kind of been doing this without him after what happened last year), and getting a job that would require me to work every weekend will create an unfriendly living environment (not to mention lack of support I will need to go to school).</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice though, merlinjones.</p>
<p>Like they say, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. You said "I decided this year that I would go no matter what". Be true to yourself and go to at least on class somewhere. Take one bite.</p>
<p>I would agree that taking two on site classes both with labs as well as lectures, as well as two online classes, on top of having three children who are young enough for day care, not to mention having a husband who isn't supportive, is a big hunk to chew.
I would suggest starting out much more slowly, particulary since it doesn't sound like you have affordable child care.
People who start out slow rather than try to do too much, are more likely to be successful and stick with it.
You also need to recruit your husband so that he is supportive, Starting slower, is more likely to do that.</p>
<p>I am wishing you all the best. I hope you are able to work something out. I have a friend in a similar situation and I am definitely cheering her on, too!</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>