<p>What up college conf!! I am trying to get into a PTA Physical Therapy Program, and looking to get a student loan or something similar. I am just not sure if at all I would qualify. I am looking to get some info before hand, just to be prepared. I am not currently working, living at home(temp), and 31. AS Degree, NO KIDS or bills. I don't have good or bad credit, and can possibly get a co-signer as well. The school is $42,000 and I feel the career would reward me enough to pay the loan off with out being too too much of heartache. Any tips or advice you can give me for the loan process would be great. I feel I have a major need for assistance and hopefully I can get some good news THANKS PEACE!!!</p>
<p>If you can project paying of the loans in 10 years of employment in your field, I’d say go for it, especially if it is the gating factor for finishing your basic education.</p>
<p>Is that $42,000 a year in loans you would need? I am a little confused…is this a one year PTA (physical therapy assistant) program, or does PTA stand for something else?</p>
<p>You won’t be able to take out $42,000 in Direct Loans. If this is physical therapy assistant program which is only one year in duration, I don’t think you would be considered a college junior…so would get only $9500 ($5500 for first year, plus $4000 additional as you are an independent student). I might be wrong about those amounts.</p>
<p>The balance would need to be cosigned loans.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply vonlost !! Yes, I feel I would be able pay it back w/o any problems. Unfortunately, I have friends with load of student debt and a not so promising career choice. So making sure my investment is wise, is one of my deciding factors. Thanks any other info is welcome PEACE!!!</p>
<p>thumper1 thanks its a 2 year PTA program</p>
<p>physical therapy assistant</p>
<p>$84k in loans is too much for that degree. Can’t you get it at some kind of in-state public?</p>
<p>So is the total cost $42000 or $84,000? Do you get a Bachelors degree at the end? If not what piece of paper do you get?</p>
<p>2 year program $42,000 total its a medical tech school .</p>
<p>Is the school listed here as being accredited?</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“Accredited PT & PTA Programs Directory”>Accredited PT & PTA Programs Directory]APTA[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Is this a for-profit school? Most of the schools I see on that website are public community colleges and technical schools. I looked at one in my state and the estimated tuition cost is $10k for 2 years and the summer in between.</p>
<p>Junior college route has been taking a while already and very hard to get classes needed to transfer. Not many state or private colleges in my area have this major either, making it a lot harder and competitive to get it. I have heard this program has a high level of graduates and in my area this job is in very high demand. Also certifies me to be a certified PTA,which is required to practice in my state. After much research I feel is the right choice.</p>
<p>Yes accredited on that site. Just don’t want to be promoting schools because i have researched some of schools and yes some are definitely for profit schools. Poor instructors etc, the reviews show it. This program seems to have good reviews and have heard first hand from former students not associated with the school anymore. THANKS annoyingdad and mom2collegekids for the input PEACE!!!</p>
<p>2 year program $42,000 total its a medical tech school .</p>
<p>So, the tuition is $21k per year? Will you have living expenses, too? Or will you living for free with parents?</p>
<p>Away on my own but with family. I will still work but hopefully i will have some dough saved by the time I sign up good six month give or take. I have some good resources available to me thankfully. THANKS mom2collegekids</p>
<p>Also, are the loans hard to qualify for , what about loans that are not required to be paid back ? I guess they will go over this with me at the school. I just don’t want to be going off what they tell me either. Like earlier said, they are for profit schools, so I need to watch out for myself as well. LET ME KNOW ALL INFO IS APPRECIATED !!! PEACE!!!</p>
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<p>Umm… those are not called loans.</p>
<p>Depending on what your income and the school you might qualify for Pell Grant. Did you fill out FAFSA?</p>
<p>If this is a for profit school chances are the only aid you will qualify is loans and the pell grants. Here are few things to consider: </p>
<p>They will attempt to make their school sound prestigious, but in reality then will accept anybody. </p>
<p>Is an internship required? And will they arrange this for you?</p>
<p>Does the $42,000 include all books, course fees, and materials? This can add up very fast if they don’t. </p>
<p>Speak to current and former students and get their experience.</p>
<p>brendank21 Thanks those are some great questions that I want to confirm with the school </p>
<p>lerkin Yes I filled out FASFA just haven’t specified which school to apply it for SORRY I meant grants . THANKS PEACE!!!</p>
<p>If you are poor enough, you might qualify for a Pell Grant. However, as you have been self-supporting for quite a while, I doubt you would be able to receive one.</p>
<p>Run the Net Price Calculator at the college/university website, and see what the numbers look like. If it is unaffordable, keep looking around at the public CCs that offer this program. One might have space for you.</p>
<p>*they are for profit schools, *</p>
<p>this is not good. </p>
<p>Your earlier post about a CC is confusing. Can’t you complete the WHOLE thing at a CC? You mention needing to transfer to a Univ, but that shouldn’t be required for that career. </p>
<p>I looked up various states, and this can be had at a CC for a fraction of the cost.</p>