s/o Best way to finance a graduate degree in your 40s

[Anonymous]

I am a SAHM who is about to go through a divorce. I have no desire to return to my former profession and would need to obtain my license again if I went that route. So I think now is a good time to return to school to pursue a new field, one I would really enjoy. I'm thinking MPH or Masters in Clinical Nutrition. I'd like to explore scholarships or other forms of financial assistance to reduce the amount I'd have to pay out of pocket, any ideas on where to start? I have Googled it, but there are so many sites it quickly became overwhelming checking each one. Can someone recommend a website for scholarships or grants?

[Anonymous]

I implore you, assuming you are at least in your mid 30s and knowing you have been out of the workforce, do NOT saddle yourself with this. You will waste a few more workable years toiling away on a degree that MIGHT get you a job that MIGHT enable you to pay it off before retirement. You would be much, much better served by immediately getting a job, entry level if you must, and busting your ass to move up through experience. This economy is not the one to start going back to school and getting graduate degrees that will be completely overlooked in favor of those with 15 years of experience on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I implore you, assuming you are at least in your mid 30s and knowing you have been out of the workforce, do NOT saddle yourself with this. You will waste a few more workable years toiling away on a degree that MIGHT get you a job that MIGHT enable you to pay it off before retirement. You would be much, much better served by immediately getting a job, entry level if you must, and busting your ass to move up through experience. This economy is not the one to start going back to school and getting graduate degrees that will be completely overlooked in favor of those with 15 years of experience on you.

+1

What is your current skill-set? tell us more about your work experience, maybe we can guide you and give you ideas?

[Anonymous]

You would need to borrow. You are not going to get scholarships or grants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a SAHM who is about to go through a divorce. I have no desire to return to my former profession and would need to obtain my license again if I went that route. So I think now is a good time to return to school to pursue a new field, one I would really enjoy. I'm thinking MPH or Masters in Clinical Nutrition. I'd like to explore scholarships or other forms of financial assistance to reduce the amount I'd have to pay out of pocket, any ideas on where to start? I have Googled it, but there are so many sites it quickly became overwhelming checking each one. Can someone recommend a website for scholarships or grants?

I hate to tell you this, but being 40+, SAHM and divorced is a really tough spot and you need to buckle up and suck it up, not self-indulge. Going to school to study something you think you would enjoy and could maybe lead to a job is self-indulgent. That's not always bad, but from what you say you can not afford that kind of a luxury. The time is running out for you to get any job.

[Anonymous]

Op here - I didn't really see my plan as being "self-indulgent", that is an eye-opening perspective. Perhaps I have been a little spoiled being a SAHM and now need to work to make some practical adjustments in my approach. I would need to take a couple of classes in order to re-enter my former field, so it seemed as good a time as any to start over. It looks as though we have agreed to five years of alimony, so combined with cs I will have six figures annually for a few years. I have relocated to an area where the cost of living is substantially lower, so I am able to live below my means. I would be able to cover the cost of tuition, but did wonder if anyone offered scholarships to non-traditional students. Based on my research I believe job prospects are good in my potential fields, but that is a couple of years away so it's anyone's guess what would be available then. Entry level pay right now is around 50k at the Masters level for many of the jobs I would be considering. Am I so far off base with this line of thinking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here - I didn't really see my plan as being "self-indulgent", that is an eye-opening perspective. Perhaps I have been a little spoiled being a SAHM and now need to work to make some practical adjustments in my approach. I would need to take a couple of classes in order to re-enter my former field, so it seemed as good a time as any to start over. It looks as though we have agreed to five years of alimony, so combined with cs I will have six figures annually for a few years. I have relocated to an area where the cost of living is substantially lower, so I am able to live below my means. I would be able to cover the cost of tuition, but did wonder if anyone offered scholarships to non-traditional students. Based on my research I believe job prospects are good in my potential fields, but that is a couple of years away so it's anyone's guess what would be available then. Entry level pay right now is around 50k at the Masters level for many of the jobs I would be considering. Am I so far off base with this line of thinking?

Has your research including informational interviews and networking? Do you have a genuinely realistic understanding of the difficulty of getting a job in that field? If not, DONT DO IT

[Anonymous]

Some universities offer graduate teaching assistantships/research assistantships. Very little pay, but it's a viable option. If you're certain you're invested in this potential career, you've researched your job options and your application is strong (high GRE or whatever it is that's called for), then this might work out for you. After all, if you're in your mid-forties, you may have as many as 30 more years in the work force. Weigh 30 years in your potential career against 30 years in the one you have experience in.

[Anonymous]

Op, best place to start is actually contacting the different programs that you are interested in and asking this question. I doubt that they will have 100% scholarship, but they may have reductions, assistantships, etc. eon't waste much time looking specifically for scholarships on the Internet. Better look for programs you like, consider part time professional programs as well, that will also allow u to work while you are earning your degree - and in these also the demographics would be closer to yours, and ask for financial assistance.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with the PPs. If you want to start over, do it. Yes, you will be borrowing money and yes, you will be making up time compared to peers in your new field. That said, you need to go back to work and if your past profession is not viable for you, there is nothing wrong with starting over. As a PP noted, there are a lot of years left in your work life.

[Anonymous]

Get a job -- any job -- at a school that offers this program and provides tuition remission as a benefit of employment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the PPs. If you want to start over, do it. Yes, you will be borrowing money and yes, you will be making up time compared to peers in your new field. That said, you need to go back to work and if your past profession is not viable for you, there is nothing wrong with starting over. As a PP noted, there are a lot of years left in your work life.

I agree completely. Why hate what you're doing for the next 20+ years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the PPs. If you want to start over, do it. Yes, you will be borrowing money and yes, you will be making up time compared to peers in your new field. That said, you need to go back to work and if your past profession is not viable for you, there is nothing wrong with starting over. As a PP noted, there are a lot of years left in your work life.

.

Her new peers will be 20 years younger. Dont you think employers would notice that? Even if they are open-minded its hard to have a 25 yo attitude when you are 50.

[Anonymous]

An MPH is not a ticket to making money at all. It tends to be an expensive degree that is fun and interesting to study but most graduates get very entry level jobs making significantly less than 50k with very slow advancement. Those that do better have significant professional experience or also have an MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here - I didn't really see my plan as being "self-indulgent", that is an eye-opening perspective. Perhaps I have been a little spoiled being a SAHM and now need to work to make some practical adjustments in my approach. I would need to take a couple of classes in order to re-enter my former field, so it seemed as good a time as any to start over. It looks as though we have agreed to five years of alimony, so combined with cs I will have six figures annually for a few years. I have relocated to an area where the cost of living is substantially lower, so I am able to live below my means. I would be able to cover the cost of tuition, but did wonder if anyone offered scholarships to non-traditional students. Based on my research I believe job prospects are good in my potential fields, but that is a couple of years away so it's anyone's guess what would be available then. Entry level pay right now is around 50k at the Masters level for many of the jobs I would be considering. Am I so far off base with this line of thinking?

Has your research including informational interviews and networking? Do you have a genuinely realistic understanding of the difficulty of getting a job in that field? If not, DONT DO IT

No informational interviews, but I have done some networking. I am working closely with the school district's nutrition coordinator to implement a healthy snack program at my kids' elementary school. This connection is opening other doors in that field. It's all volunteer work at this point.