<p>What aid is available for students who want to take classes after earning their BS degree.</p>
<p>My son has not found a job and wants to take some additional accounting classes. I know it would only be a loan, but where do we start?</p>
<p>He won’t even be eligible for a loan unless he is in a degree seeking program. If he just takes classes, he isn’t eligible for federal aid (although he may be able to get a private education loan). Post bach students need to get into either a 2nd degree program (different bachelor program than his degree) or into a post bach program in which they are completing prereqs into some other program (like nursing if they had an English degree, or like a masters program or teaching program). If it’s post bach, the amount of aid is limited in terms of amount & timeframe. This requires an Eligible Program Exception form & a Plan of Work that must be submitted to the aid office. If he gets into a 2nd degree program he will be eligible for undergrad loans at the annual limit for the year in which he is classified. If he is a Post Bach student, he will be eligible for undergrad loans at the amount determined by the aid office. These undergrad loans are subject to the aggregate undergrad loan limits. No other federal aid is available for students who already have their degree.</p>
<p>The goal (as I see it…but in his eyes I am only the mom, what do I know) is to take 3 accounting classes to supplement his Finance Degree.</p>
<p>In this economy accounting majors have jobs, finance majors don’t. He has 15 credits in accounting. Most companies want 24 credits. I think a 2nd Bachlors require you to complete 30 credit hours. He only need 9 credits.</p>
<p>So, would th best bet be to try and pay as we go or is there a private loan that he could take out?</p>
<p>It is always best to pay as you go, because interest really pushes up the real cost. If he does need to take out loans, though, you can do a search on the forum for private lenders & their pros/cons. I don’t ever recommend lenders because I work in financial aid - but there are many knowledgeable parents around here.</p>
<p>I have not used them but here Discovercard loans and Wachovia Bank are good sources.</p>