How do I even pay for school?

I'm trying to understand how this country even works. Currently I hold dual citizenship to a country that is top 5 in education, and after trying to make it work in this country I'm just about ready to pack and go away.

AMU costs 15k for an associates degree. I'm 21, with no money and no cosigners to help me. All I'm trying to do is get a loan for school.

So let me get this straight, I apply for Federal Aid and they offer me 8 thousand dollars for the whole year which isn't nearly enough to cover tuition. Then I'm told I could borrow from Perkins, Stafford and a bunch of other crap.

So basically I have to go to 3-4 different places to get loans for one years worth of school? Excuse my ignorance but I come from a country with the easiest and one of the highest rated education systems in the world.

 

OK, so you're pointing out that the USA, where the streets are paved with gold, is not always such an easy deal? Welcome to the club. If you can make a better deal elsewhere then do so.

 

It was much much cheaper here back in the 90s before massive government subsidies increased prices for all of us.

 

An associate's degree is a two year degree. $8K per year covers a $15k associate's degree.

Personally, I think that $15K is a lot for an associate's degree.

 

I think you could begin work and start to save. If you are looking at distance learning, you don't need to "go" anywhere for class, so really most people continue to work full time while they attend distance learning college. I'd skip the loans and pay cash.

 

You should attend a community college for your associates degree. I see by your IP address that you are in So Cal like me and there are lots of of CCs around to choose from. Why pay $15K for an associates degree online that you could likely get for less than $3K at your local community college? Many CCs offer online programs too. You could make it even cheaper by attempting to test out of some of your classes by using CLEP tests. You could buy your books cheaply on Amazon and then sell them again on Amazon and textbooks will cost you an average of $10 ea. when all is done. I would not be surprised if someone could complete an AA for $1500 or less if they were careful. That's still a lot of money, if you have none, but it can be paid out bit by bit over a two year period. Please don't go 15K into debt for an AA degree.

 

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines!

Enlist for 4 years or so and when you finish you will have a pile of money for school.

 

Honestly, I don't think using your dual citizenship would be such a bad idea. If you could work that angle then "you gotta do what you gotta do". I think it would really depend on what school you attended though.

 

Actually, not a bad idea. Like many here do, a person could probably do some of that school online while enlisted.

 

What country are you talking about? Because I know you're not talking about the United States. The United States is not the highest rated...it would better you to stay with the European Union because they seems to have cheapest higher education in term of tuition for reputation.

 

If you do live in California then what SurfDoctor said is excellent advice. You can work days and take classes evenings or weekends in class or via distance learning. Coastline CC is especially user student friendly for DL students.

I'm not up to date on CC tuition but it might be that you can obtain reduced or even no cost tuition. I suggest you visit a CC and ask them if they can help you financially.

 

Funny you mention this because my goal was to come to the United States, get a DL associates degree, then move forward with ROTC in the Army after attending LTC.

 

I agree with airtorn, $15K is a ridiculous amount to pay for an associates degree.

But if your looking to fund your education, apply for federal stafford student loans cause I've never met someone who didn't qualify.

 

Even if you join the Guard or Reserves, you will have some excellent educational benefits, without a full time commitment.

 

I agree, especially if you're doing your degree via DL. Get a job to help with the costs, and fill in the blanks with some federal loans if you need to. That's what I did for my undergrad degree, back before DL was widely available. These days, self-supporting students have much more flexibility and opportunity. You should take advantage of it.

 

You could just get a job and pay your way...just a thought. It's a tried and true method.

Your local CC is affordable. New Mexico Junior College has affordable and extensive online options, they offer to break your tuition costs up over 4-5 payments to help you out. A highly motivated student could easily wrap up an AA in 3 semesters for around $3K, quicker if you take a half dozen or so CLEP exams to speed up the process.

The Big 3 can be very cheap if done right (like under $10K for a Bachelors).

 

Umm, negative ghost rider!

The Guard and Reserves don't pay out like the active duty does for school. The only exception to this is if you deploy down range and qualify for the POST 911 GI Bill. But also know that in the Guard/ Reserve you'll DEPLOY, it not like in days past were you're just a weekend warrior. The Guard/Reserve often times deploy more often than the active duty.

 

So there are only 04 branches of the Military? Or are those the 04 that you prefer?

 

There's also the Coast Guard and the various reserve and National Guard components

There's also the Coast Guard and the various reserve and National Guard components. "Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines" was the way the old TV recruitment commercials listed the services:

1980 Armed Forces Recruiting Commercial - YouTube

It's still in my head that way. I was in the Army, but I don't have a preference. Sometimes the services have different college money options that supplement the universal GI Bill money. If college money is the goal then the choice is easy: pick the one that gives the most money.

 

Reminds me of 15 years ago when I was newly married, working 2 menial jobs, and wanting to go to school. I was denied grants because "I made too much." Then I enlisted, paid my dues, and got an educational benefit courtesy of Uncle Sam. Please don't sit here and complain about not being able to do this or that. You have to be willing to pay a price, if not, I suggest you go ahead and "pack and go away." Just saying...