Student Debt

Off Topic
41

I was fortunate to go to a relatively good school, The University of Pittsburgh, tuition free. My mom worked there. She made less than 30k a year, and my parents are divorced, so thats pretty much the reason I was able to go to college.

Other things still cost money however, so I have about 10k in student debt. Looking around at friends, and friends without jobs that have much more in debt, I feel fortunate.

I would agree most kids are taught and expected to be employees rather than entrepreneurs, which is a lamenting fact of our culture of subservience. I also do believe that more kids should look at going into the trades, as they pay well and you do not incur all this debt.

As far as starting a business with the potential loan money, I would say thats a viable option, but anyone willing to drop 2-300 k on an education better do a cost benefit.

For example, my girlfriend had the bright idea to go to law school. I tried to talk her out of it, as FAR too many people go to law school and its fucking expensive. A year in, she decides, not for her. 60k in debt from ONE year.

I am trying to pay down that 10k of mine in debt ASAP so I can accrue capital TO buy assets.

I am wondering if the socialized higher ed system is more efficient and equitable than our broken system. I do feel though the QUALITY of US universities is still very high by comparison.

42

It’s incredibly easy to come out of PT school with $100-150,000 in debt, or even more. For what we make, it’s almost not worth it. I’ll be paying my loans for a lot longer than I even want to think about. You can make money with PT if you are willing to travel or work in the settings that no one wants to work in for a while. If I could go back a few years, I never would consider PT because of the debt-income ratio.

[quote]UNCheavylifter wrote:
I’ll be entering my first semester of physical therapy school this summer:

Tuition? $10,500 PER SEMESTER

x 9 semesters=…$94,500

That’s IF tuition prices don’t rise (and they will).

and it’s just tuition…I might need to eat sometime in the next 3 years.[/quote]

43

Anyone here that went to a Community College or only took 1-2 year courses that are absolutely satisfied with their current work and income?

44

First, there are a lot of cynical motherfuckers on this board.

Ok, now that I got that out of the way … on with my reply:

School is how much you pay for it. Anyone who wants to get a liberal arts degree or doesn’t know what field they want to pursue better go check out some cheap classes at a community college first. End of story. Otherwise you’re wasting your time (and since time=money, you’re wasting that too).

If you do know what you want to do, find out the requirements at the school you want to attend and a couple other ones because I guarantee there’ll be some fuck-all classes you HAVE to take as per required by the school and take those at a community college and transfer your credits once you’ve exhausted that avenue.

Now, you absolutely DO NOT need to go to an expensive school for an undergrad degree. UNLESS you are pursuing some sort of engineer/science based course. Shit, one of the best engineering schools in my state is UMass Dartmouth and for in-state tuition is around 15,000 a year. Get fucking amazing grades a good school and then apply to the top tier universities for your graduate degrees.

As far as paying for school goes, there are tons of ways to do it; all of which require sacrifice. Like HolyMac said, he’s having the army pay for his and I’m in a similar boat. I am actually getting paid around 1700 a month to attend school full time along with having my full tuition (including fees) paid for and on top of that a $300 book stipened.

Of course I had to serve 4 years in the a branch of the United States Military (which I completed about a year and a half worth of my credits while serving out my enlistment completely free of charge at some great universities in my spare time) all while partying it up and having the time of my fucking life.

If the military isn’t your cup o’ tea (which it should be, like I said, you see some great shit, make some life long friends, do some awesome stuff AND you get to party it up with some the hardest partyin sons of bitches this world knows) then you can apply for free money. Basically find some schmo to pay for school for ya through scholarships.

A buddy of mine is having UPS pay for his tuition at the University of South Carolina … all he does is work 20 hrs a week sorting packages and he gets 100% tuition reimbursement. A lot of top corporations will pay for higher education degrees when you work for them. Shit, an old supervisor of mine got her Business Management degree from Tufts University in Boston completely paid for by the company she worked for for years.

There are tons of avenues you can go down to not pay a fucking dime for a higher education in America. You just need to use your imagination to sort it all out. And as far as “being an employee” goes: so the fuck what? Anyone earning a good living shouldn’t be looked down upon, even if you’re “working for the benefit of someone else.” It’s called comparative advantage and everyone benefits mutually. Not everyone’s cut out to take risks…

45

[quote]B.L.U. Ninja wrote:
Anyone here that went to a Community College or only took 1-2 year courses that are absolutely satisfied with their current work and income?[/quote]

I know one guy who did police foundations who landed a job with Toronto police dept. and another guy who did biomedical engineering at at Durham though that was 3 years I think.

Dude, unless you go to University and get a degree that leads you down a good careerpath you will be very unsatisfied with your career and income.

I recommend not wasting your time in community college unless you want to be poor and unhappy.

46

I know a bunch of guys who studied firefighting, police foundations, graphic design, community college business and most of them are doing fuck all (at 25) or working in something entirely different.

DO NOT GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

47

[quote]Misterhamper wrote:
In Denmark, the school would have a 0$/year tuition fee, and together with that you would get up to 700$ a month just to attend school if you are between 18-20, and 700$ if you are 20 or over. Plus there is 2% interest student loans you can take.
Must say, socialistic countries do have it pretty well with some things.[/quote]

its still not free though, you guys forget that the money comes from somewhere… odds are its your taxes, you pay a lot higher taxes in socialist countries… id rather take on some debt (i made it through school (phd next spring) without any debit) I did it by scholarships, working and help from family…

now I dont have to be stuck paying for some retard to go to college and study bussiness or linguistics for the rest of my life… id call that a win…

Also, anyone in the US can go to college, just give uncle same 5 years … poof… no debt

48

the real problem in my mind is people attending college who dont belong. They just do it cause “thats what you do”…

As a previous poster said, go to a community college, get an associates (it always transfers) go to a real university for 2 / 2.5 years to finish a meaningful degree. get out with little to no debt… enjoy making money and doing something you hopefully like…

my GF is going back to vet school, and after i graduate we can easilly afford her tuition, a place to live and everything else on a post-doc salary, let alone if i can pull in a professor job…

49

[quote]B.L.U. Ninja wrote:
Anyone here that went to a Community College or only took 1-2 year courses that are absolutely satisfied with their current work and income?[/quote]

I went to Hallmark Institute of Technology (now Hallmark College). It took 11 months of class 5 days/week at 7 hrs/day and I’m very satisfied with the income I’m making. I landed a job as an electronic technician at a good R&D company close to home(<30miles). The schedule is flexible, the benefits are badass, and everyone is pretty cool to work with.

Now of course I’d like to make more money, but most people will always want more money. I don’t live paycheck to paycheck if that’s what you’re asking.

50

To add B.L.U. Ninja I remember you making a thread about PT certs. I don’t know much about that stuff, but if you’re interested in that you could study biology or life sciences and then make up your mind after 4 years. Having a science degree will give you several career options after graduating and you can still become a PT during or after University.

51

No one is forcing these kids to pay $50,000/yr on a private liberal-arts education. Generally, the same kids try very hard to get accepted into those schools.

To me the scariest thought is that if you assume a 4% price increase per year (and that is on the low side for recent history), then same education will cost $75,000/yr in 2021.

â?? During the 11-year period charted (1993-2004), both public and private, nonprofit colleges regularly posted tuition increases well above inflation ratesâ?¦ Over this period, annual, inflation-adjusted tuition increases at public colleges averaged 4.0 percent, while those at private, non-profit colleges averaged 3.5 percent. â?? - Tuition payments - Wikipedia

Add in a 3% inflation factor, and the private education cost rises to $100,000/yr. Not sure how anyone is going to be able to pay those costs. Salaries and savings/investment returns are not keeping up.

52

What are the options for people in the UK in terms of government funding for degrees study?

I actually think that out pricing many people from higher education isn’t actually that bad an idea, since there aren’t that many jobs out there for people, at least ones that require degrees.

I’m in a similar predicament, I’m really enjoying studying as an adult, I’m set to pass my first year, an access course, and the fucking fees are set to sky rocket. Only Oxbridge have applied to implement the maximum fees of 9k pa, but you can bet the Russell group universities will be hiking the fee’s up to a good 80% of the 9k.

53

[quote]therajraj wrote:
To add B.L.U. Ninja I remember you making a thread about PT certs. I don’t know much about that stuff, but if you’re interested in that you could study biology or life sciences and then make up your mind after 4 years. Having a science degree will give you several career options after graduating and you can still become a PT during or after University.
[/quote]

But the thing though is, like many people pointed out on different occasions, how many PTs with degrees are really worth it? I mean, sure there are quite a few, but the ratio is not so good with soooo many people trying to break into the industry.

I figured, getting a cert or a 1-2 year course and getting a diploma would be fine, as long as I keep studying and learning on my own or via internships with good coaches.

I know way too many PTs not worth a bag of rocks and you look at their “credentials”, they all have 4 year degrees. So, I don’t know, what does that say really?

54

[quote]B.L.U. Ninja wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:
To add B.L.U. Ninja I remember you making a thread about PT certs. I don’t know much about that stuff, but if you’re interested in that you could study biology or life sciences and then make up your mind after 4 years. Having a science degree will give you several career options after graduating and you can still become a PT during or after University.
[/quote]

But the thing though is, like many people pointed out on different occasions, how many PTs with degrees are really worth it? I mean, sure there are quite a few, but the ratio is not so good with soooo many people trying to break into the industry.

I figured, getting a cert or a 1-2 year course and getting a diploma would be fine, as long as I keep studying and learning on my own or via internships with good coaches.

I know way too many PTs not worth a bag of rocks and you look at their “credentials”, they all have 4 year degrees. So, I don’t know, what does that say really?
[/quote]

Don’t forget some of the more prominent authors on this site DO have advanced degrees (Christian Thibaudeau, Eric Cressey, and Dr. Clay Hyight to name a few).

I think a better career path would be to get a natural science degree, then Chiropractor school, then open a clinic and offer PT.

I’ve seen it done, and you will not only make good coin, but it’s a LOT more safe and secure.

I use to get treatment on my shoulder from a guy who is a Chiropractor, a PICP level 2 coach and also does PT in his clinic. He has also worked with NHL players and other pro athletes.

The reality is living as a PT only will be very tough, especially if you ever plan to support a wife/kids in some point in your life.

I know 4-6 years of school seems like a long time (if your 18 that’s a 3rd of your life so far) but it’s really not.

I only can tell you, go to university study something serious (Natural science / business / engineering) do well. Every one of my friends who did not do this are now regretting it. Don’t be one of them.

55

To add, a weightlifter’s life is expensive.

You live at home now, your parents buy all your food. When you move out, if you plan to continue this hobby you will have an expensive grocery bill. Good luck affording it on 40k/year after you pay your rent, utilities and car payments.

Edit: I just did a little bit of research on the avg salary for a PT in Canada, it ranges between 30k-55k. I just read about a PT who makes 55k/year after 7 years of working in the business.

55k is pitiful after 7 years of working man.

56

Went to Community college first two years got my Associates in Respiratory, paid my own way. Got divorced went to a four year college to become a nurse had to get loans to survive and pay child support. Went to Grad school paid my own way. Come out with $40,000 in debt. Its an investment in my opinion. Now I make 6 figures that I would not make with my associates or 4 year degree.

Is our system fucked up yes, however there are ways to manage it. However most people do not take the time to plan for the future, they see a student loan check and just think it is free money. Until you got to pay it back.

57

[quote]buddaboy wrote:
What are the options for people in the UK in terms of government funding for degrees study?

I actually think that out pricing many people from higher education isn’t actually that bad an idea, since there aren’t that many jobs out there for people, at least ones that require degrees.

I’m in a similar predicament, I’m really enjoying studying as an adult, I’m set to pass my first year, an access course, and the fucking fees are set to sky rocket. Only Oxbridge have applied to implement the maximum fees of 9k pa, but you can bet the Russell group universities will be hiking the fee’s up to a good 80% of the 9k.

[/quote]

What are you talking about? ALL of the big universities and (if I remember correctly) all off the russel and 90% of the 1994 group are now wanting 9k from 2012. Imperial LSE UCL, Durham Bristol Sheffield Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton, Royal Holloway, Exeter, Birmingham, etc etc. The only ones that aren’t are shitty ones like Derby or London South Bank. When do you enter university? If you enter this forthcoming year then fees are still only 3.4k. As for government funding look around. There are maintenance grants available for mature students; usually check with the university you’re applying for on their website or contact the relevant department

58

I’m curious about the experiences of those who’ve attended or are attending graduate school for science in terms of paying for it.

59

[quote]AquaCruzer wrote:
I’m curious about the experiences of those who’ve attended or are attending graduate school for science in terms of paying for it.[/quote]

For several of the sciences grad school is free. I’m finishing my Physics PhD right now and tuition was covered and they gave you a job either as a TA or an RA that pays ~25k a year. This is true for the engineers and chemists here as well. I think Biology is the same but I don’t know for sure. Since I live in Santa Barbara, 25k is shit but you can live off it if you don’t have a family.

60

[quote]Scurn wrote:

[quote]AquaCruzer wrote:
I’m curious about the experiences of those who’ve attended or are attending graduate school for science in terms of paying for it.[/quote]

For several of the sciences grad school is free. I’m finishing my Physics PhD right now and tuition was covered and they gave you a job either as a TA or an RA that pays ~25k a year. This is true for the engineers and chemists here as well. I think Biology is the same but I don’t know for sure. Since I live in Santa Barbara, 25k is shit but you can live off it if you don’t have a family.
[/quote]

Good to know, I wasn’t sure if that was pretty much the same with all universities. In the US at least.