How are you paying for your DL degree?

How readily available is financial aid for graduate level studies, and is it any different if it's a distance learning degree?

I noticed that there are quite a number of people on these forums who have multiple DL degrees and am curious as to whether you took out financial aid to pay for them or were able to pay as you go.

Are student loans easily available to finance a masters degree through a RA DL program?

 

I am not so keen on taking out personal loans through banks...interest is way too high, so I am against them.
Unfortunatley, Excelsior College does not offer federal student loans...so I am paying my way through graduate school out of my own pocket - plus tax refunds from uncle sam.


Right now, I believe that if I am paying my own way (without loans and such) I will work a lot harder to ensure "A"'s

 

my employer will pay for RA schools. if a detc school had a class that fit into my career field then they would pay it, too. however, for a degree program they only pay for RA(minus taxes..as they look at that as taxable income).

 

I am paying my own way through distance learning as I pursue degrees which hopefully will allow me to change careers. My current employer has a limit of CAD5,000.00 per annum for educational expenses for each full-time permanent employee; I am a full-time temporary employee.

 

I've paid my own way so far. I anticipate that when I start grad school later this year I will pay out of pocket for that too.

Sean

 

Selling indulgences.

 

Stafford Loans..... huge, massive, mortgage sized Stafford Loans when all is said and done! I went through my BA on a full academic scholarship and paid for my MS in psychology out of pocket (to the tune of 18 grand). I am starting my Ph.D. at Fielding with no debt ... however, my debt load will rise and rise and rise ....

 

I was lucky enough to be in a situation where I was able to pay for school as I went along. During each semester, I'd save enough for the next semester. Basically, it ended up to about 3 paychecks per year (out of 26, I'm paid every two weeks) went directly for tuition and CLEP/DANTES testing, and one half to two thirds of another one went for books. Graduating without any student loan debt hanging over my head was something I was very thankful for! I know not everyone can do it the way I did it, but if you're lucky enough to have a good job, fix dinner at home a few nights a month instead of going out, and you can save up enough money for one or two courses per semester at a good state school and not even notice the difference.

 

I paid my own way. But it was CSUDH's MA in humanities and it only cost about $140/unit at the time. Since I only took a class or two a semester, it wasn't a burden at all.

I did the whole thing for about $4,200, which at my snail-like pace was under $1.000 a year.

 

Tuition assistance except for the DANTES/CLEPS and COSC admin fees.

My employer pays 4K per year.

 

Stop it! [Ohgod... you're killin' me.]

 

I've used the federal Ford Direct Loan program and Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA, or Sallie Mae) loans. I have heard of some who used employer reimbursement or the military Tuition Assistance Plan (TAP).

 

I use Military tuition assistance up to $4,500.00 per fiscal year. Each year I spend about additional $2,000.00 from my own pocket for books, fees, and some class that does not cover by DoD TA. Claim for tax return the end of the year.... Still save my MGIB for Master of Ph.D.

 

I wondered why you're not more indulgent.

Now I know!



marilynd

 

Military tuition assitance in conjunction with my GI Bill; I pay for the books. My undergrad degree was paid for using mainly military TA, I have enough funds available (GI Bill and TA) to pay for my MBA.

William

 

Loans for overseas study

Does anyone know if there are student loans (i.e., not mortgaging my house at the local bank) available for study at schools abroad (UK, SA, Aus)?

marilynd

 

To Horne from Ottawa

Horne, I was wondering if you're doing your distance studies at a Canadian university. What has your experience been or do you have any insights about the acceptance of DL degrees in Canada, particularly those from Australia and England?

 

Paid cash for my undergrad and will pay cash for the MBA.

Thank you Florida Real Estate Market!

 

Re: Loans for overseas study

It's definitely available for the UK and Australia. Pretty much the whole of the UK and Australian HE system shows up when you look at the foreign entries on the FAFSA database, but I couldn't see anything from SA.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/FSLookupServlet

Angela

 

I'm not trying to single anyone out, but why pay cash? Considering the possible tax benefits, as well as the value of very cheap money (now, anyway) of student loans, why not take out the loan and pay it back over time, all the while investing the "out of pocket" money until the payback time arrives?????

I can't believe it is a question of discipline, after all, we are DL students.

Tony