$17,935 in student loans and I don't have a degree
Started by
Home4Me2012
, Jul 04 2012 09:58 AM
57 replies to this topic
#26
Posted 04 July 2012 - 11:49 PM
This may apply...
http://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/military-spouse-and-family-educational-assistance-programs.html
Post 9/11 GI Bill Transferability
In addition to the very generous education benefits offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, there is a special provision of the program that allows career servicemembers to share their remaining GI Bill (education) benefits with immediate family members. The key factor is whether or not the member has used any of his or her GI Bill in the past; only unused benefits can be transfered. This means that if the member has used 12 months of his or her GI Bill, then there is only 24 months of benefit left to share.
Servicemembers must meet specific criteria to be eligible to transfer their GI Bill benefits. This includes having at least six years of service and an obligation to serve at least four more.
#27
Posted 05 July 2012 - 09:09 AM
This may apply...
http://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/military-spouse-and-family-educational-assistance-programs.html
Post 9/11 GI Bill Transferability
In addition to the very generous education benefits offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, there is a special provision of the program that allows career servicemembers to share their remaining GI Bill (education) benefits with immediate family members. The key factor is whether or not the member has used any of his or her GI Bill in the past; only unused benefits can be transfered. This means that if the member has used 12 months of his or her GI Bill, then there is only 24 months of benefit left to share.
Servicemembers must meet specific criteria to be eligible to transfer their GI Bill benefits. This includes having at least six years of service and an obligation to serve at least four more.
The criteria is he would still have to be active duty and when we looked last it had to be done while he was re-enlisting. =(
#28
Posted 05 July 2012 - 11:04 PM
Honestly the place I work, doesn't put a lot of merit on places like U of P, they would rather see a state University.
YMMV
This is the truest statement.
I dont know why more HR professionals just dont come out and say it. Most employers do not respect degrees from for-profit institutions. Probably they dont want to get sued.
To be perfectly honest you would come out much better coming from a "real" school no one has every heard from another state than a one of these 4Profits.
I know they advertise convienence and flexibilty but what good is a degree that employers dismiss completely?
Maybe its the snobbiness of the employer/hiring manager who dismisses candidates from these school (they went to a traditional college/university after all) but these schools have a very big image problem and tv commercials wont cure that.
#29
Posted 06 July 2012 - 06:31 AM
Just a thought but look into an Accelerated Degree Program - Albright has a good one with a lot of satelite locations. One night a week 6 -10 for 2 years - it is a lot of work but definitely worth it in the end. Also, your degree is the same as a traditional day student.
FWIW - online degrees like Phoenix and Strayer are discounted by a lot of employers today and not accepted for many grad programs.
FWIW - online degrees like Phoenix and Strayer are discounted by a lot of employers today and not accepted for many grad programs.
#30
Posted 06 July 2012 - 09:56 AM
finish all your general ed and lower division classes at a community college
#31
Posted 06 July 2012 - 11:48 AM
Just for reference, Strayer is now an accredited university (has been for a while). While they do offer classes online, Strayer is not an "online" university. I got my bachelors from Strayer and have never been shunned for it. I did however get my Master's from George Washington University just to make it look a little better... 
#32
Posted 06 July 2012 - 12:04 PM
Consistent with what others have suggested, you should definitely finish the degree. The situation doesn't sound it's very doable, but make sure you try to do so while all or most credits are still transferable. I agree wholeheartedly that you should transfer what you have out of UOP and finish the degree elsewhere. As much as I hate to say this (and I review plenty of resumes for openings in our department), candidates who have an UOP degree rarely gets considered. Unless previous experience is tremendously outstanding, most of their resumes are deleted without a second look. It could be different from industry to industry. YMMV.
Education isn't going to get you a job, but in many circumstances your degree provides opportunities. You then turn these opportunities into offers.
Education isn't going to get you a job, but in many circumstances your degree provides opportunities. You then turn these opportunities into offers.
#33
Posted 06 July 2012 - 05:24 PM
Consistent with what others have suggested, you should definitely finish the degree. The situation doesn't sound it's very doable, but make sure you try to do so while all or most credits are still transferable. I agree wholeheartedly that you should transfer what you have out of UOP and finish the degree elsewhere. As much as I hate to say this (and I review plenty of resumes for openings in our department), candidates who have an UOP degree rarely gets considered. Unless previous experience is tremendously outstanding, most of their resumes are deleted without a second look. It could be different from industry to industry. YMMV.
Education isn't going to get you a job, but in many circumstances your degree provides opportunities. You then turn these opportunities into offers.
Thank you ERIC0728!
Finally someone confirming what i have long suspected.For many, if not most, companies in the real world having a degree from these schools is as good as having no degree at all.If more hiring managers and companies openly acknowledge this fact we could effectively rid ourselve of these fraudsters.
#34
Posted 06 July 2012 - 05:31 PM
Agree that solely having a UOP degree wouldn't be that impressive, but it's better than nothing. Having a UOP degree and a degree at a traditional college would keep all your bases covered. I once had to meet with the HR director in his office where I work. I couldn't help but notice he had a Doctorate degree hung on his office wall from Suffield "University." I immediately recognized that as a diploma mill. I didn't say anything, but I heard later on he had the HR staff celebrate with him on the completion of his Doctorate. He's no longer the HR director, and I'm unsure where he works. He probably got a promotion. Go figure.
#35
Posted 06 July 2012 - 05:38 PM
It's sad to see folks still falling into this for-profit school trap. For positions requiring a degree, my employer does not hire people from for-profit schools. I get to interview people after they've cleared the HR round, and have never seen a for-profit school on a resume. I'm sure there are a handful of geniuses that have gotten degrees from UofP, but I wouldn't waste my time looking for them because chances are that I won't come across them.
On the flip side, I've worked with a guy from MIT, and it seemed like he had learnt absolutely nothing in school. So, I guess YMMV. But the bottom line is that good schools open up doors. Maybe when you go back to finish up, you can transfer your credits to a real school...
On the flip side, I've worked with a guy from MIT, and it seemed like he had learnt absolutely nothing in school. So, I guess YMMV. But the bottom line is that good schools open up doors. Maybe when you go back to finish up, you can transfer your credits to a real school...
#36
Posted 07 July 2012 - 09:10 AM
I logged on so as to give my 'two cents'.
First off, I feel your turmoil. And, secondly, as many have said, "Finish your degree!"
I started my college education at Job Corps (don't laugh, it got me to go to college
). At the time I had lost my house, car, I had mounds of debt, and no college education. I had common sense, but lived bouncing around, but not moving, as in not going anywhere, due to a fear of failure and success (as crazy as that sounds) and uncertainty. Because of my location at Job Corps compared to where the community college was, I had to pay out of district tuition, and although I didn't have to pay any expenses, I decided that I would take out full loans to have some "extra" money. Well, unfortunately, while at Job Corps, I failed (I was not interested in the subjects and their requirements) and dropped some classes, so that added to my mounting student loans. It came time for me to leave Job Corps so I used the proceeds of my loans to pay my rent for a year, while I finished my education. While paying my rent was a smart move, I negated that by not working and on top of that, I changed my degree (which was a good idea). So, at this point, I've utilized full loans, squandered some of the money, didn't work, and changed my degree, which left me, at the time, with classes that I didn't need for my new degree.
Well, life progressed and I failed and dropped some more classes, again, wasting money. Finally it came time for me to graduate...with my Associates!
All that, just for an Associates. At this point, I was so over school that I decided that I wasn't going back...but, by June, I had enrolled in a waste-of-time school, Ashford University online (the only reason I chose this school was because a friend was in it) (I don't mean to offend anyone who's attended, but I don't agree with their focus at all (which is an 8 page paper at the end of EVERY class)) (my friend has since admitted that she wishes she hadn't attend the school). I took a few classes, and failed yet a couple more, and then I was truly over going to school.
So, here I am with an Associates in Accounting...I thought that I was going to land some State/City/County job with this shiny degree I had...physic (sike)!!! I applied and applied some more, all the while my confidence in myself waned. I felt like my education was pointless, I had nothing to show for it. I felt as you do, that I had nothing to show for the time and money, I was not better off, in fact, I was worse because of the debt.
Flip to 2 years later and a lot of money wasted...
Well, to try and sum this story up: I was tired of feeling like I had accomplished nothing, so I came up with a plan. I found a school, Liberty University (online, not-for-profit), that offered an accounting degree online and enrolled. I knew that for me to stay dedicated, I had to get this degree finished as soon as possible, so I dual-enrolled (taking 8 classes this semester and 9 in fall). I am taking all my lower-level classes, which include some upper-level classes, at my local community college (where I got my Associates). Liberty's tuition is $325 per credit hour full-time and Austin Community College's is $78, so I'm saving a lot of money doing it this way.
I know that my situation is different than yours in that I don't have any kids, but it's the same in that we both want to feel accomplished, capable, and able. I don't like feeling boxed in and although I intend to pursue acting, I look forward to December XX, 2012 when I have my Bachelor's degree...albeit at the age of 31, but nonetheless, I'll have it. So, essentially, you have to decide what will allow you to have the most options over the greatest span of time...I suggest finishing your degree or 'a' degree, or some form of skilled training. You never want to leave yourself stuck...
Oh, and I would suggest looking at your community college for continuing education courses. At my local school, they offer financial assistance for a lot of their programs. I was able to get a full massage therapy program paid for--I decided not to pursue it, but they still would have paid for the whole thing and I think I got money back, also.
Life and its choices are not always easy or delightful, but what I regret the most is NOT making a decision and when I did, not sticking to it. I could essentially have so much job experience and education, but I was always concerned with sticking with something that wasn't the best for my future...well, by living in that state-of-mind, my future very quickly became my wasted past.
I will pray for your clarity, the Lord is the One who provided me with mine (I respect that all do not share my same faith),
LaTasha
First off, I feel your turmoil. And, secondly, as many have said, "Finish your degree!"
I started my college education at Job Corps (don't laugh, it got me to go to college
). At the time I had lost my house, car, I had mounds of debt, and no college education. I had common sense, but lived bouncing around, but not moving, as in not going anywhere, due to a fear of failure and success (as crazy as that sounds) and uncertainty. Because of my location at Job Corps compared to where the community college was, I had to pay out of district tuition, and although I didn't have to pay any expenses, I decided that I would take out full loans to have some "extra" money. Well, unfortunately, while at Job Corps, I failed (I was not interested in the subjects and their requirements) and dropped some classes, so that added to my mounting student loans. It came time for me to leave Job Corps so I used the proceeds of my loans to pay my rent for a year, while I finished my education. While paying my rent was a smart move, I negated that by not working and on top of that, I changed my degree (which was a good idea). So, at this point, I've utilized full loans, squandered some of the money, didn't work, and changed my degree, which left me, at the time, with classes that I didn't need for my new degree.Well, life progressed and I failed and dropped some more classes, again, wasting money. Finally it came time for me to graduate...with my Associates!
All that, just for an Associates. At this point, I was so over school that I decided that I wasn't going back...but, by June, I had enrolled in a waste-of-time school, Ashford University online (the only reason I chose this school was because a friend was in it) (I don't mean to offend anyone who's attended, but I don't agree with their focus at all (which is an 8 page paper at the end of EVERY class)) (my friend has since admitted that she wishes she hadn't attend the school). I took a few classes, and failed yet a couple more, and then I was truly over going to school. So, here I am with an Associates in Accounting...I thought that I was going to land some State/City/County job with this shiny degree I had...physic (sike)!!! I applied and applied some more, all the while my confidence in myself waned. I felt like my education was pointless, I had nothing to show for it. I felt as you do, that I had nothing to show for the time and money, I was not better off, in fact, I was worse because of the debt.
Flip to 2 years later and a lot of money wasted...
Well, to try and sum this story up: I was tired of feeling like I had accomplished nothing, so I came up with a plan. I found a school, Liberty University (online, not-for-profit), that offered an accounting degree online and enrolled. I knew that for me to stay dedicated, I had to get this degree finished as soon as possible, so I dual-enrolled (taking 8 classes this semester and 9 in fall). I am taking all my lower-level classes, which include some upper-level classes, at my local community college (where I got my Associates). Liberty's tuition is $325 per credit hour full-time and Austin Community College's is $78, so I'm saving a lot of money doing it this way.
I know that my situation is different than yours in that I don't have any kids, but it's the same in that we both want to feel accomplished, capable, and able. I don't like feeling boxed in and although I intend to pursue acting, I look forward to December XX, 2012 when I have my Bachelor's degree...albeit at the age of 31, but nonetheless, I'll have it. So, essentially, you have to decide what will allow you to have the most options over the greatest span of time...I suggest finishing your degree or 'a' degree, or some form of skilled training. You never want to leave yourself stuck...
Oh, and I would suggest looking at your community college for continuing education courses. At my local school, they offer financial assistance for a lot of their programs. I was able to get a full massage therapy program paid for--I decided not to pursue it, but they still would have paid for the whole thing and I think I got money back, also.
Life and its choices are not always easy or delightful, but what I regret the most is NOT making a decision and when I did, not sticking to it. I could essentially have so much job experience and education, but I was always concerned with sticking with something that wasn't the best for my future...well, by living in that state-of-mind, my future very quickly became my wasted past.
I will pray for your clarity, the Lord is the One who provided me with mine (I respect that all do not share my same faith),
LaTasha
Edited by It's On, 07 July 2012 - 09:12 AM.
#37
Posted 07 July 2012 - 11:47 AM
Hmm... ~30 people replied and all of them said "finish your degree".
For some contrarian opinions, check out e.g. http://nymag.com/new...ucation-2011-5/
(disclaimer: I have a whole bunch of advanced degrees)
For some contrarian opinions, check out e.g. http://nymag.com/new...ucation-2011-5/
(disclaimer: I have a whole bunch of advanced degrees)
#38
Posted 07 July 2012 - 12:14 PM
It's sad to see folks still falling into this for-profit school trap. For positions requiring a degree, my employer does not hire people from for-profit schools. I get to interview people after they've cleared the HR round, and have never seen a for-profit school on a resume. I'm sure there are a handful of geniuses that have gotten degrees from UofP, but I wouldn't waste my time looking for them because chances are that I won't come across them.
On the flip side, I've worked with a guy from MIT, and it seemed like he had learnt absolutely nothing in school. So, I guess YMMV. But the bottom line is that good schools open up doors. Maybe when you go back to finish up, you can transfer your credits to a real school...
Not everyone from top schools are good and not everyone from second or third tier schools are bad. People have to understand that recruiting is a costly process and therefore by statistics, candidates from top schools are often preferred over others.
#39
Posted 07 July 2012 - 01:48 PM
I only skimmed the article, but many of these pieces seem to confuse or muddle the basic issue that a degree that requires more debt to be incurred than the average student could realistically hope to pay off given that field's average compensation is a bad financial decision. A BA in English lit that costs 200k is foolish. A JD at that cost may or may not be.Hmm... ~30 people replied and all of them said "finish your degree".
For some contrarian opinions, check out e.g. http://nymag.com/new...ucation-2011-5/
(disclaimer: I have a whole bunch of advanced degrees)
With the availability of student loans, this basic bit of financial sense seems to be lost on many. I don't think there is
Any disputing that average income is positively correlated to increasing education level however.
Rather than espouse basic financial sense, it makes for better crap journalism to feature recent grads whining about their pay and SL debt.
As many have said here, online for profit degrees are often NOT viewed favorably; this is at least true in my industry. If it isn't accredited and/or the credits don't transfer, one should take SERIOUS pause and understand the risks/rewards.
#40
Posted 07 July 2012 - 01:50 PM
+1finish all your general ed and lower division classes at a community college
#41
Posted 07 July 2012 - 05:28 PM
Experience is always better then a degree.
But I would still finish the degree at UOP and find a place that wont discriminate your schooling and get your foot in the door to get that experience that really means something.
I do not have a degree, but I have ton a college classes under my belt. All technical stuff. Didn't think a degree was necessary for me.
But I would still finish the degree at UOP and find a place that wont discriminate your schooling and get your foot in the door to get that experience that really means something.
I do not have a degree, but I have ton a college classes under my belt. All technical stuff. Didn't think a degree was necessary for me.
#42
Posted 07 July 2012 - 08:25 PM
Hmm... ~30 people replied and all of them said "finish your degree".
For some contrarian opinions, check out e.g. http://nymag.com/new...ucation-2011-5/
(disclaimer: I have a whole bunch of advanced degrees)
Statistically you're better off, although there are those abberations where a person with no education strikes it rich. Average salaries have always been shown to be higher with education level. Of course, having an education and then expecting the world to come knocking at your door isn't going to work.
I didn't bother to read that entire article but to be a writer for New York Magazine I feel requires a higher education in journalism or English. Maybe then, going into debt for a degree in English is worth it.
As far as the OP, I don't see them mentioning any huge opportunity that is at their door at the moment. If there was, like Mark Zuckerberg asking them to be his partner in Facebook, then indeed say the hell with UOP. If not, more education isn't going to hurt.
Edited by Burgerwars, 07 July 2012 - 08:27 PM.
#43
Posted 08 July 2012 - 10:48 AM
Experience is always better then a degree.
But I would still finish the degree at UOP and find a place that wont discriminate your schooling and get your foot in the door to get that experience that really means something.
I do not have a degree, but I have ton a college classes under my belt. All technical stuff. Didn't think a degree was necessary for me.
I agree experience is key these days... but sometimes you cannot get away without a degree. Depending on the field and the level at which you are, sometimes a degree is mandatory.
I am also in a technical field, but I work in government contracting. For our contracts, the individuals on the projects are actually required to have a bachelors at minimum and some a masters. If we get any applicants, even if they are God's gift, if they don't have a degree we cannot place them on our projects.
So, a degree may not be necessary for you now (and maybe not in the future) but I know a lot of people personally that did the same thing as you and then eventually when it came time for a promotion or some sort of advancement, they were overlooked because they didn't have the degree.
So I cannot agree that experience is ALWAYS better than a degree.
#44
Posted 08 July 2012 - 10:58 AM
I have about 77k in debt.. but I have my AA and my Bachelors.. I want my Masters but I just don't have the funds for it.. not until I kick some of this debt down.Don't feel bad I have 100k in student loans. Your work doesn't help pay for any of the tuition? You can't get any scholarships or grants? Education is not cheap and honestly 17k for half of your degree isn't that bad. You've already put 17k into your education, I would think you should go ahead and finish.
#45
Posted 08 July 2012 - 11:01 AM
I have about 77k in debt.. but I have my AA and my Bachelors.. I want my Masters but I just don't have the funds for it.. not until I kick some of this debt down.
Don't feel bad I have 100k in student loans. Your work doesn't help pay for any of the tuition? You can't get any scholarships or grants? Education is not cheap and honestly 17k for half of your degree isn't that bad. You've already put 17k into your education, I would think you should go ahead and finish.
Does the company you work for provide tuition assistance?
#46
Posted 08 July 2012 - 11:36 AM
The position I am in as a senior engineer. Requires a 4 year degree, however since I have close to 15 years experience in my field they looked the other way when they saw my resume without a degree.
Experience goes a long long way in some fields. However without some schooling I dont think I would have made it where im at.
Experience goes a long long way in some fields. However without some schooling I dont think I would have made it where im at.
#47
Posted 08 July 2012 - 11:53 AM
For the last 4 years I have gone to school on again and off again (when my schedule allowed it). I never paid attention to my student loans, I used the extra payments to pay bills, things like that. Now I wish I never went to school, it has not helped me at all. I have $17,985 in student loans (none are behind) and I don't even have a degree to show for all of this money. In fact I am only 1/2 way through my credits towards a degree.
I know the best thing I can do right now is pay these loans off, but it sort of depresses me that I am in that kind of debt and don't have anything to show for it.
M
I read this out lound to my wife and she said, "Its your own damn fault for taking out that much money...when I was in college I witnessed students taking out more $$$ than what they needed for student loans to buy cloths,food,pay bills,car notes etc..."
My questions are: are you looking for help or a way out of paying your student loans? what else did you use that money for besides school? how much does it cost to complete a 4yr degree at Univ. Of Phx?
Edited by Stockstar, 08 July 2012 - 12:01 PM.
#48
Posted 08 July 2012 - 02:12 PM
At the time I was at UOP I qualified for grants and tried to get as little loans as possible because I knew I would have to pay it back. The crazy thing is UOP allows you up to 99,999 in student loans (although you will never need that and I don't think the SL dept will actually give you that). This is a recipe for disaster if you are not thinking about the future. I remember one of my "classmates" bragging about getting 5k back each reimbursement. For the most part people may have extra expenses like Internet, paper, pens, and possibly a computer if they don't have one; None of those items equal 10k.1341766402[/url]' post='4711195']
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For the last 4 years I have gone to school on again and off again (when my schedule allowed it). I never paid attention to my student loans, I used the extra payments to pay bills, things like that. Now I wish I never went to school, it has not helped me at all. I have $17,985 in student loans (none are behind) and I don't even have a degree to show for all of this money. In fact I am only 1/2 way through my credits towards a degree.
I know the best thing I can do right now is pay these loans off, but it sort of depresses me that I am in that kind of debt and don't have anything to show for it.
M
I read this out lound to my wife and she said, "Its your own damn fault for taking out that much money...when I was in college I witnessed students taking out more $$ than what they needed for student loans to buy cloths,food,pay bills,car notes etc..."
My questions are: are you looking for help or a way out of paying your student loans? what else did you use that money for besides school? how much does it cost to complete a 4yr degree at Univ. Of Phx?
I knew UOP was expensive when I signed on and was hell bent on not regretting the amount later on. I finished my AA with under 10k in SL from them and went to a local Uni here where I am at and got tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and grants and still had that same under 10k amount.
I do agree with your wife but schools make it so easy for people take out these loans, and when you are in a disparate situation the extra money looks good - until you end up with mounds of debt and no degree.
Op - all is not lost. Make a plan, stick to it, do away with the excuses and get the determination to finish your degree like you would have when it comes to credit repair.
#49
Posted 09 July 2012 - 05:19 PM
Unfortunately, there is no way of getting out of a student loan payment. The wife and I are still curious to hear why the OP took out so much money .
The wife finshed her 4yr degree and 2 certs for less than $10k
The wife finshed her 4yr degree and 2 certs for less than $10k
#50
Posted 09 July 2012 - 05:33 PM
While SLs MUST eventually be paid, the OP can (not saying this is the smart course of action) defer them while in school. At this point, it would truly all be for naught if he/she does not complete the degree, even if it means more substantially tightening the purse strings going forward. In the grand scheme of things 17k in SL debt is towards the lower end of the scale.Unfortunately, there is no way of getting out of a student loan payment. The wife and I are still curious to hear why the OP took out so much money .
The wife finshed her 4yr degree and 2 certs for less than $10k
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