What families qualify for financial aid?

[Anonymous]

I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

You're joking, right?? You seriously think that people choose to earn less money because they deem certain jobs beneath them? That attitude betrays much more of your class biases/snobbery than you perhaps are aware of. You honestly think that in this economy that anyone college-educated can just go get herself hired and earn more than 50K? Unbelievable and snobbish to boot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

I am currently a SAHM. Highly educated, not especially computer literate but a quick study, and an outstanding writer. If, as you claim, you would "jump at the chance" to hire me for "well above" 50K/year, then by all means, do please tell me how to contact you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

Our soon-to-graduate college-student babysitter would find your unsupported pronouncement hilarious. She will soon be a college-graduate, is lovely, hard-working and not at all "choosy," knows a reasonable amount about computers, and has been looking steadily for a full-time job to pay off her student loans. I am certain that she would take a paralegal or executive assistant job that pays 40-50K, and well, let's just say that such positions are not exactly falling from the sky. Not sure what bubble you are living in, but out here in the real world, your comments are risible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

Umm...okay...by your logic, women who can't earn a lot of money should just go out and get a job, any job, even if it is at a net financial loss or a net wash to the family, just to be able to say to the aid committee, see, we are both working! I would gladly do that if it would increase our chances of receiving aid, but that is an absurd system!

[Anonymous]

I am the SAHM and I am a certified teacher. I live in an area where I wouldn't make more than about $35K a year teaching (not that I could find a job around here now teaching b/c of the hiring freeze). I would love to go back to work but w/ 2 kids under 3, the cost of daycare plus all the other additional costs associated w/ working outside the home, I wouldn't actually take home any money (we've already crunched the numbers). Not everyone has the same choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

"subsidize their lifestyle and career choices"? You know, outside your rarefied environment, out here where normal people live, most people aren't JDs or MBAs or PhDs and able to *choose* to earn large sums of money if it weren't for their "choice" to earn tiny sums of money instead. I agree with the PP that it is ridiculous that people always assume it is a "lifestyle choice" when one parent stays home. It may be a choice in the sense that no one is putting a gun to their heads, but I would hardly call it a choice when a woman has small children at home and her salary wouldn't cover the cost of childcare and work-related costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the SAHM and I am a certified teacher. I live in an area where I wouldn't make more than about $35K a year teaching (not that I could find a job around here now teaching b/c of the hiring freeze). I would love to go back to work but w/ 2 kids under 3, the cost of daycare plus all the other additional costs associated w/ working outside the home, I wouldn't actually take home any money (we've already crunched the numbers). Not everyone has the same choices.

Totally agree! Another SAHM here in a similar situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the SAHM and I am a certified teacher. I live in an area where I wouldn't make more than about $35K a year teaching (not that I could find a job around here now teaching b/c of the hiring freeze). I would love to go back to work but w/ 2 kids under 3, the cost of daycare plus all the other additional costs associated w/ working outside the home, I wouldn't actually take home any money (we've already crunched the numbers). Not everyone has the same choices.

I am well educated (I have my Master's degree) but that doesn't always equal a big salary. If I went to work, like the PP, I would actually be in the red after paying for childcare for 2 kids and pay to have my mother put in adult daycare (she lives w/ us and I take care of her). It isn't a choice in our case either (I actually WANT to go back to work b/c it would be a whole hell of a lot easier than what I do at home now!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

"subsidize their lifestyle and career choices"? You know, outside your rarefied environment, out here where normal people live, most people aren't JDs or MBAs or PhDs and able to *choose* to earn large sums of money if it weren't for their "choice" to earn tiny sums of money instead. I agree with the PP that it is ridiculous that people always assume it is a "lifestyle choice" when one parent stays home. It may be a choice in the sense that no one is putting a gun to their heads, but I would hardly call it a choice when a woman has small children at home and her salary wouldn't cover the cost of childcare and work-related costs.


It is one thing if you have young children, but I think both parents should be required to work once the youngest is in school -- at least if you expect to get financial aid.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP. Once your kids are in school FT, both parents should work. If one chooses not to, I think most schools give the non-working parent a "salary" when determining financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't buy that. It may be true that one of the prior posters would be unable to find a professional position in her chosen non-profit field that pays more than $50K. But if she is a college graduate and reasonably computer literate, she could easily find a position as an executive administrative assistant paying above that amount. I think when people claim that they are unable to make above $X it is because they are being choosy about what jobs they are willing to take. There are many executive assistant, paralegal, project assistant positions in DC that pay well above $40 to $50K and, as someone who hires for those type of positions---I would jump at the chance to hire someone who was bright, college-educated, and could write reasonably well.

I also do not think that financial aid should be given to families who elect to have one spouse stay home. Maybe the non-profit types should think about taking a job that they may deem "beneath" their education and skill level in order to make the money to pay for the private education they desire for their children, instead of expecting those families with two working parents to subsidize their lifestyle and career choices.

"subsidize their lifestyle and career choices"? You know, outside your rarefied environment, out here where normal people live, most people aren't JDs or MBAs or PhDs and able to *choose* to earn large sums of money if it weren't for their "choice" to earn tiny sums of money instead. I agree with the PP that it is ridiculous that people always assume it is a "lifestyle choice" when one parent stays home. It may be a choice in the sense that no one is putting a gun to their heads, but I would hardly call it a choice when a woman has small children at home and her salary wouldn't cover the cost of childcare and work-related costs.


It is one thing if you have young children, but I think both parents should be required to work once the youngest is in school -- at least if you expect to get financial aid.

I am one of the poorly-paid PPs , and of course this is true. I don't think anyone has suggested otherwise. All the PPs have been saying that their jobs don't pay enough *to cover childcare costs* because they have young children at home. Naturally, once all children are in school, then even earning a small salary helps the family finances (assuming aftercare costs aren't prohibitive) and both parents should then work if they hope to ask for aid.

[Anonymous]

My point exactly. You are making the assumption that the only job you can get is as a certified teacher. One of the best, and worst, things to happen to corporate america is that once women were no longer limited to being secretaries, those support positions became devalued by bright, college-educated women. I've hired, I've seen the resumes and trust me---it is not easy to find bright, competent people who can write coherently to fill those positions. No 23 year old is going to get hired at $40K as an admin, but someone with more maturity (e.g., 35+), with a BA, who has a resume from a field like teaching---might be surprised at how she could be compensated for an admin position in downtown DC (I'm not presuming to know what outlying areas pay). The average salary for a legal secretary in the Washington DC area is $55K. The average paralegal salary is between $60K-$70K. A paralegal with experience can command $90-$100K at a downtown DC law firm. But a lot of highly educated women would never contemplate making the switch to an admin or paralegal position, because teaching ---or working in non-profit management--is a lot more challenging and rewarding that making copies, sending federal express packages, filing corporate paperwork and writing cover letters.

So yeah, after reading the comments in this thread from SAHM who live in the rarified world of DC and its inner suburbs---and who desire to send their kids to $25K/yr private schools--- and obtain financial aid, I do think there is a definite attitude of not wanting to work at a job "beneath" them.

[Anonymous]

I am happy to work at a job beneath me. Please tell me how I can, as a teacher, find a job as a legal secretary or admin assistant? I am being serious b/c I am in desperate need of a job and don't know where to start. The only work experience I have is as a teacher so I never considered much else seeing as how many people view teachers. I don't mind making copies all day at all. Just a decent paycheck.

[Anonymous]

22:20: Start with the legal temp agencies---Special Counsel is a good one---and tell them you are looking for an admin or project assistant position (project assistant is a term commonly used to describe a quasi-paralegal position). A legal temp job is a great way to get your foot in the door. Trust me, if you can type, have basic Microsoft word skills, can follow directions and are reasonably intelligent---your temporary employers will LOVE you. A few months working for a legal temp agency will give you the background to start applying for permanent positions--one of your temporary positions may even morph into a permanent job offer if they like you.

Writing ability is a big plus. The organizational skills that teachers must have in order to develop and follow through on lesson plans is very transferable to the paralegal/project assistant field---as paralegals are often given large tasks (e.g., organize a large number of documents or summarize lengthy depositions) and are expected to self-manage their time efficiently. Teachers are also usually good at self-directed research. Legal admins and paralegals often need to be able to do on-line research--anything from tracking down addresses to doing background "google" research.

Teaching has provided you with more transferable job skills than you might initially think. Anyone who can face down a roomful of restive children/teenagers for 8 hours a day can easily handle corporate america.