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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here - Unfortunately, the school I am interested in doesn't have graduate tuition grants for employees unless you work at the Director level (shucks!). Next up, I will explore the graduate research/teacher assistant option. I went to undergraduate school in the Midwest, so that's an option. I really don't expect that I would be able to work full time and pursue graduate school since my soon to be ex H and I live in different states now. I wouldn't have help caring for our children.

I don't mind being the oldest in a program, lots of people still think I'm a college student anyway

You will be working almost full time as a GTA. They say it is around 20 hours but it is often more. But much of it can be done from home. I only had to be in my office for office hours and teach my classes. Outside of classes, you have to do a ton of research for assignments and for publications with professors. Professor really don't do much, their grad student do it!! Graduate school is fun but it is a lot of work.

[Anonymous]

OP, you may want to look at a women's organization called PEO. They give scholarships to women for graduate studies.

http://www.peointernational.org

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you may want to look at a women's organization called PEO. They give scholarships to women for graduate studies.

http://www.peointernational.org

What a phenomenal organization! Thanks for posting. I hope this helps someone else as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

+1

I knew MPHs at Hopkins. You would be the absolute oldest in the program by 10 years. The program really does not prepare graduates for a job, its a "spring board." Usually for medical school.

Funny. The majority of the MPHs I've met either in the Hopkins program or recently graduated from it were longtime MDs who went back for the degree. They were all in their 40s or older.

I just completed my Ph.D. and found a real diversity in ages during my time in the program. One woman in my cohort started collecting social security during our third year. A woman who graduated ahead of me is now in a tenure-track position at a leading university and she was a grandmother when she started the program.

OP, you sound clear-headed and empowered after this divorce. You should definitely continue to develop professional connections throughout the duration of your program in order to improve your chances of locating employment. Expanding your network will definitely up your chances.

As someone else already mentioned, a graduate assistantship may supply you with a small stipend while also removing all tuition fees. These are merit-based positions. Sounds like you're well on your way to making the case. I love that you're already active in the field with the volunteer work you mentioned.

Six figure income for the next five years? Now that----not your age----is what may make you stand out amongst your colleagues, OP.

In short: You go, girl.

[Anonymous]

^^ Thank you, PP for your incredibly encouraging and kind words, and sound advice. I am trying to keep a pauper's mentality because I fear that soon to be ex H will accept a company position (he's self-employed) in order to downsize his pay, thus significantly decreasing his financial obligation for child and spousal support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, teaching/graduate assistantships at the master's level pay very little and mine didn't include tuition remission. The PhD was different, but that was awhile ago and it varies by field. I usually think of an MPH as a secondary degree, an adjunct to an MD or PhD, as other posters have mentioned.

At large state schools, GTAs get tuition waivers. Not sure how public health schools handle it. My MA was free. I had a tuition waiver and an assistantship.

That varies by institution. For example, some large state schools offer tuition remission to doctoral students but not masters students. some state systems are completely strapped right now and GAs/TAs are considered a luxury. It just depends on the institution.

[Anonymous]

(1) I know employers can offer tuition assistance and there are some tax benefits to it. Many times this is offered only if the coursework is relevant to the job. Anyone have ideas on which employers might do this, and give a foot in the door in the field, too?

(2) Ageism does exist. But the really important thing is to keep the attitude of a person starting entry-level in the field (humble, willing to learn, not know it all, willing to do the same scutwork everyone has to do starting out). I'm a lawyer and I know many lawyers won't hire lawyers who used to work as paralegals. The reasons are not that the person is 5 yrs older than if they'd gone to law school straight out of college. The problem is that sometimes, a former paralegal thinks they know it all and bosses don't want to deal with that.

Best of luck to you! My advice is, research everything -- it is best to be over cautious, not under cautious, with tuition costs what they are and the job market what it is. Don't even get me started on the topic of student loans. But you should find a career that you LOVE.