Did not finish college - now what?

[Anonymous]

I am in my mid 39's and work as a household employee, childcare/ assistant type stuff. I couldn't afford to finish college and can absolutely not afford to go back now. Are there any options for me? Amy chance of finding an actual career without returning to school? Any chance of making a living wage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in my mid 30's and work as a household employee, childcare/assistant type stuff. I couldn't afford to finish college and can absolutely not afford to go back now. Are there any options for me? Any chance of finding an actual career without returning to school? Any chance of making a living wage?

Why don't you take loans and finish what you started?

[Anonymous]

Go to community college in the evenings to get at least an associates.

[Anonymous]

I like the concept of being mid 39s! Or 474 months old.

What do you want to do with your life, what do you enjoy? Plenty of schools give credit for experience now, and have online options. Have you looked into ways to complete your degree in a direction that will help you? Does your desired path require a degree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in my mid 30's and work as a household employee, childcare/assistant type stuff. I couldn't afford to finish college and can absolutely not afford to go back now. Are there any options for me? Any chance of finding an actual career without returning to school? Any chance of making a living wage?

Why don't you take loans and finish what you started?

That's not great advice. People who can "absolutely not afford" to go back to college shouldn't just take out loans when there's no guarantee of light at the end of that tunnel.

Get a Fed ladder job and work yourself up from the bottom.

[Anonymous]

Apply for financial aid.

[Anonymous]

I'd move to a lower COL area.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have exhausted my financial aid. I owe 75,000 in loans, 10,000 being directly to the school. I had no help or guidance as a child. I took out the maximum amount to live on every year. I did well, but I wasn't driven. I dropped classes for random reasons, took classes that didn't apply toward my degree, and eventually had to work full time when my ex left and I couldn't support myself without working more. I would do things so differently if I could go back. It has been a while since I've been out of school. I have no interest in any more loans. I was a biology major and there is no way I could pick up where I left off. I would love to be a teacher, especially preschool, but that takes more schooling and more loans for a job that pays less than what I currently make. But, I want stability. I also, if things progress with my boyfriend, want to start a family of my own and would love to stay home to raise my own children. I feel like I'm waiting for someone to financially support my dreams, but I'm great with kids and would love to fulfill that role of mother and homemaker.

[Anonymous]

How much college did you finish? Did you attend a college that is near where you live now?

One of the things you can do is look around for employers that have tuition reimbursement programs.
You could make an appointment with a counselor at your college and talk about your options. There may be scholarships you qualify for. If you know, for sure, that you could graduate in 1 year with $N worth of loans, you might decide that's financially possible for you. More information will help you make better decisions.

[Anonymous]

You could start your own home daycare ? Montessori training ? Nanny work pays more though !

[Anonymous]

You should definitely go back to school & nanny to make ends meet. Sounds like you are child free- this is a huge help. Meet with an advisor to figure out what would be best to finish an early Ed degree- go on that website - the teach make more one & focus on that. I'd do the Montessori course after that .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in my mid 30's and work as a household employee, childcare/assistant type stuff. I couldn't afford to finish college and can absolutely not afford to go back now. Are there any options for me? Any chance of finding an actual career without returning to school? Any chance of making a living wage?

Why don't you take loans and finish what you started?

That's not great advice. People who can "absolutely not afford" to go back to college shouldn't just take out loans when there's no guarantee of light at the end of that tunnel.

Get a Fed ladder job and work yourself up from the bottom.

+1

[Anonymous]

Substitute teach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the concept of being mid 39s! Or 474 months old.

What do you want to do with your life, what do you enjoy? Plenty of schools give credit for experience now, and have online options. Have you looked into ways to complete your degree in a direction that will help you? Does your desired path require a degree?

Most schools that give credit for experience are diploma mills/for-profit schools. Don't go that route OP.

[Anonymous]

You are 39 and you still owe $75k in student loans? Have you paid off any of it?