I need some advice on my student loans

[pcgame]

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[Sam I am]

Major - Applied Behavioral Science

School - Ashford University

As far as what my major is all about, I assume it has something to do with psychology. I honestly have no idea. My adviser literally stuck me in it when I said I wanted a "science" major.

Anyone who tells you to "just drop" or "just continue" your education is doing you a disservice. They really don't have enough information to make a decision like that, and more often than not, such suggestions come from ideology rather than practical application.


however, what you said is really not a good thing to hear. You barely even know what your major is about, let alone why you want a degree in it.

You really have to do something, and you have to do it now.

1. Figure out what your current major is about, and decide whether or nor you want to continue with it. If it turns out as though it actually is something that you want to do, then by all means, continue.

2. If you don't want to do whatever your major teaches you to do, then you should look at the other majors at your college. If you're early enough in your education, then you can probably switch majors without losing too many credits.

3. If your college does not offer a program that you want, then it's sometimes possible to transfer to a different university. Keep in mind that not all your credits are guaranteed to transfer if you do this. Results may vary.

4. If you want to drop out of college, you should probably have a plan of what you're going to do instead.

The most important thing, is that you DO NOT make this decision lightly. It is going to affect you for the next 20 or more years of your life, so if you do make a decision, make sure it's what you want to do.

 

[The Free Hornet]

^^^^ What Sam he am said above ^^^^


Is the education field an option you might consider?:

Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. Under this program, individuals who teach full time for five consecutive, complete academic years in certain elementary and secondary schools that serve low-income families and meet other qualifications may be eligible for forgiveness of up to a combined total of $17,500 in principal and interest on their FFEL and/or Direct Loan program loans.

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelstaff.jsp

The degrees at Ashford that appear like they pay (unlike a business or liberal arts degree) are education (mandatory to have for most public schools), law enforcement (boooooooo! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!), and health care (e.g., administration).

Is there something you want to do that requires a degree?

Do you simply wish to join the ranks of college graduates?

Can you compromise and get an associates degree? This might be worth another semester or so if it "completes the story" on your resume.

And for Pete's sake, get another advisor!

 

[JSaindon]

If you quit school and defer the loans, you are still required to pay the interest on them. So if you don't pay any principle, you are only giving them the interest. Its pretty sickening the racket in student loan debt. It is meant to drain you unless you get a great job and can double your payments. Consolidating will sometimes help lower the overall interest rate, but even the consolidations aren't that low anymore. Student loan debt is just another way to grab more money since most of it is unsubsidized and accrues interest immediately when you take it rather than when you graduate, like unsubsidized loans. I'm not sure of the current loan situation and interest rates, but I graduated in '06. Still have $20,000 to pay back with ~$1,100-$1,500 interest each year. They make a lot back from the loans if people can't pay them back quickly. After college, you are pretty much trying to get out of the red forever.

Get a technical degree through taking 6 credits a semester when you can and pay with your own money. Loans suck when you go four years in a row accruing all that gov't. debt. I wish I knew then what I know now. Most people start from the bottom up even with a 4 year degree. Took me 3 years to actually get an engineering job after many technician positions. Now I feel like I have a handle on my debts. I can see how it would be scary as hell for new graduates. Job market is rough. Getting an in through a skilled trade helps. Learn and go from there.

 

[Aden]

I see that Ashford is a small for profit college. Man, those places are scams. Sorry. No wonder your adviser sucks. Is there a state university by you? I would try my hardest to transfer away from that school ASAP. University of Iowa is 1.5 hours from Ashford. Think you can drive there? If so, and depending on the credits lost, I'd try to transfer.

Like a previous post said, you can teach. If you like science and don't mind teaching public school kids, then you can get a BA in biology. After you get a BA join Teach for America or some other group that will give you a job teaching and help pay for a master's in education. Usually they make you work two years in a crappy inner-city school. By the way, if you think that you are going to want to be involved in higher education then I am just going to be blunt and tell you that you will probably be discriminated against for going to a for-profit paper mill. It's not a written rule, of course. But academics see Harvard/Yale/Columbia/etc as cool, state universities as OK, and for-profit paper mills as lame.

Just had another thought. Who are your loans through? Direct Loans (government)? Subsidized or unsubsidized? Or are they private loans? If they are private then read the fine print and don't screw around with them.

 

[psi2941]

how much of your loan is in private student loans vs Stafford loans?

 

[frodus24]

Ashford University is an online university? IMO-most online schools are useless. The majority of students attending these types of schools are on only looking for refund money. I am not saying you are like that, but that is how they roll.

I am a financial aid administrator and work with an online program. It's all about the refund money and I am sick to my stomach thinking about it.

As long as you are enrolled in taking at least 6 credit hours, you do not have to go into repayment. Or, claim poverty and defer your loans.

 

[papitosabe]

i've lost promotions to others that had degree's...although they weren't necessarily more qualified...but it goes both ways...I'd say get that degree, do something online if needed at a good school, not one of those univ of phoenix types... on the job experience is usuallly better imo, but most businesses in many fields really need that degree...