<p>I already got my BA this year. But I'm thinking of going to my local community college for an associate degree in radiology.</p>
<p>Is there any kind of financial aid I get get? I don't exactly have a good job yet, but I could find something at McDonalds to help pay for my education........</p>
<p>Will FAFSA help me out at all?</p>
<p>ON THE OTHER HAND ..........................
I'm thinking of getting a Master's in Technology management.......but have no programming experience, since my BA is in communications. Would I get aid if I enrolled as a "transfering senior" to take the prerequisite classes for a semester or two before I apply for a MA and get lots of FAFSA aid?</p>
<p>P.S. What master's could I possibly try for if my BA was in communications?</p>
<p>First of all FAFSA doesn’t help you … it is simply a form used to collect information used to determine your eligibility for federal aid.</p>
<p>If you have a bachelors degree, you will not be eligible for federal grants (like Pell or SEOG). Many colleges do not give institutional grants to students with prior bachelors degrees, either. Usually, only loans are available - at undergrad lifetime limits ($57,500 including any unpaid loan amounts currently outstanding).</p>
<p>The most a senior can borrow in Stafford loans is $12,500 a year.</p>
<p>So am I better off going to get my Masters where FAFSA is sure to help out right? </p>
<p>I heard a way around the associate degree thing is that some colleges can consider you as a 'transferring senior" that way you still get FAFSA aid, but a more limited time to finish what you’re after…is that true? can anyone verify that?</p>
<p>The only aid you’ll get at masters level is loans … max of $20,500 per year, of which up to $8500 may be subsidized (based on cost of attendance and expected family contribution).</p>
<p>Most graduate (masters) financial aid comes in the form of MERIT aid and is awarded based on your accomplishments in your field of study. This comes in the form of assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, loans and in some cases work study (some colleges do have work study for grad students). There really isn’t “need based” aid in grad school. Grad students can take out Stafford loans and grad Plus loans in their name.</p>
<p>Where would you be getting your associates degree? Around here, most do this at the local community college and the prices are VERY modest.</p>
<p>wow cool, this sounds a little more alive and filled with hope. So a master’s program isn’t just entirely filled with loans.</p>
<p>I CAN get scholarships/fellowships and what not. I’m confident that I can get some of that, it just really depends on my writing, to earn them.</p>
<p>Graduate fellowships, assistantships, scholarships are competitive and are not awarded to everyone who applies. I don’t want to mislead you. </p>
<p>You need to look into the masters programs that interest you…and contact the departments directly. Find out what kinds of graduate funding is available to students…and find out EXACTLY what you need to do to be considered for it.</p>