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How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - Printable Version

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How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - TaraD2020 - 02-06-2024

So, I have my finger on the trigger for WGU, but I truly do not have the funds to pay cash and I do not qualify for any aid or discounts through my job (which is absurd).  I have been offered the new year and rural living scholarships, which reduce by $1,125, which is great, but still struggling to find the rest.  In this economy, loan APR is awful, so I am really discouraged.  What can I do to fund this?  I have a full time job and children, so I cannot get another job AND do schooling.  Ideally I would be thrilled to complete 30 credits in 6 months, but realistically, I see going 2 terms..Would love real suggestions..


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - ltw900rr - 02-06-2024

I don't have a good answer for this. I was not able to see the light until I joined this board and found out about Sophia and TAMUC. I am getting close to the end and I expect to spend $3200-3300 in total on my classes etc, but I am able to claim some costs on my taxes using the American Opportunity Credit. After I have completed my taxes for both years I expect to have less than $500 invested in obtaining my degree.

When my wife started taking online classes at a local university (before I found this forum), she would save up money to be able to pay the tuition.

I hope that you can find a way to pay for your education, I wish I had better answers for you.


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - TaraD2020 - 02-06-2024

(02-06-2024, 06:23 PM)ltw900rr Wrote: I don't have a good answer for this. I was not able to see the light until I joined this board and found out about Sophia and TAMUC. I am getting close to the end and I expect to spend $3200-3300 in total on my classes etc, but I am able to claim some costs on my taxes using the American Opportunity Credit. After I have completed my taxes for both years I expect to have less than $500 invested in obtaining my degree.

When my wife started taking online classes at a local university (before I found this forum), she would save up money to be able to pay the tuition.

I hope that you can find a way to pay for your education, I wish I had better answers for you.

This is actually very helpful. I knew you could write off secondary education, but I didn’t realize that it could potentially cover a school like WGU completely.  Only downside is waiting an entire year and funding up front.  But will look into it. Thank you!


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - ltw900rr - 02-06-2024

I don't have any experience with WGU. But my wife and I are both at TAMUC and received our 1098-T just like my son who is a full time in person student at TXST. All of us took enough hours to be considered full time students. We paid a lot more for my son to attend TXST, but we will still receive the $2500 max credit for him using the AOC program while filing our taxes. I am receiving the full tuition I paid for 2 seven week semesters at TAMUC, and what we paid for my wife's 1st semester at TAMUC.


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - TaraD2020 - 02-06-2024

(02-06-2024, 06:44 PM)ltw900rr Wrote: I don't have any experience with WGU. But my wife and I are both at TAMUC and received our 1098-T just like my son who is a full time in person student at TXST. All of us took enough hours to be considered full time students. We paid a lot more for my son to attend TXST, but we will still receive the $2500 max credit for him using the AOC program while filing our taxes. I am receiving the full tuition I paid for 2 seven week semesters  at TAMUC, and what we paid for my wife's 1st semester at TAMUC.
I am considering TAMCU also! I just noticed something, it says the cost for out of state is $1,500 per semester and then indicates that a semester is two seven-week terms. Am I correct that I would have a total of 14 weeks per every $1,500 spent? If so that’s outstanding! This whole time I thought it was only 7 weeks in total, then pay for another.


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - ltw900rr - 02-06-2024

For out of state (NY), it shows 1500 per 7 week term. It is a great program for in state (Texas) or even a neighboring state is not too bad.

look towards the bottom of this page for a price break down. https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/organizational-leadership-baas-orgl/


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - allvia - 02-07-2024

Did you apply for aid through FAFSA? (https://studentaid.gov/).  You may not be eligible for grants, but it would be an uncommon situation to not qualify for a student loan.


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - indigoshuffle - 02-07-2024

(02-06-2024, 05:56 PM)TaraD2020 Wrote: So, I have my finger on the trigger for WGU, but I truly do not have the funds to pay cash and I do not qualify for any aid or discounts through my job (which is absurd).  I have been offered the new year and rural living scholarships, which reduce by $1,125, which is great, but still struggling to find the rest.  In this economy, loan APR is awful, so I am really discouraged.  What can I do to fund this?  I have a full time job and children, so I cannot get another job AND do schooling.  Ideally I would be thrilled to complete 30 credits in 6 months, but realistically, I see going 2 terms..Would love real suggestions..

If I may ask, what degree in particular are you looking at?


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - bjcheung77 - 02-07-2024

Why WGU? Did you review your previous thread? https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Advice-On-Degree-Options


RE: How The Heck do I fund college, with no aid? - TaraD2020 - 02-07-2024

(02-07-2024, 12:26 PM)bjcheung77 Wrote: Why WGU? Did you review your previous thread? https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Advice-On-Degree-Options

I like the 6-month semester.  I am not confident with only 8 weeks at UMPI or 7 at TAMCU. Also, I don’t have a lab or language for UMPI. I’m only English Comp2 away from TAMCU, but hoping I get lucky with a block transfer at WGU.  Those are critical for me.