Getting outside aid

[unknownscholar]

So, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to have about 40K in loans this year, but I really need a financial plan to be able to get through year 2, and potentially 3 and 4 (assuming I get into another program). My goal is to have minimal loans, if any, in the subsequent years.

I emailed the financial aid office at my school to ask about getting a financial planner to help me budget and deal with debt repayment, but I'm not sure they have that available.

Does anyone know any reputable companies or organizations who offer to help students figure out their total debt and provide budgeting advice?

Basically what I'm looking for is not only the bottom line cost I'm incurring, but someone to use as a resource for finding funding opportunities to minimize my debt.

I will be working fulltime and attending school fulltime this fall (fulltime work status will end at the end of the fall semester), and am locked into a lease for the next 4 years (fulltime job is related to the program). Beginning in 09, I will be working part-time and may also have an internship by then as well. I'll have enough money to pay rent as long as I'm working part-time, but it's more important to me to be able to work in an environment that will allow me to attend school at minimal costs (such as an in an assistantship) or an internship that pays a stipend and tuition costs.

Any suggestions on who I may need to speak to regarding these matters?

[rising_star]

I doubt the school will tell you about finding outside opportunities. You're going to have to pursue that on your own, though there are plenty of databases. Honestly, your problem will be that a lot of outside funding isn't available for professional programs, which you intend to be...

Your program may be able to help you find a paying assistantship or internship. They may also have internal scholarships you could use to reduce tuition costs. Why are you locked into a four year lease? What is the first $40K going to pay for?

[unknownscholar]

Sorry...maybe I wasn't clear.

The 40K is the amount of loans I have to take out for year 1.

And I'm locked into a 4 yr lease because I arranged it that way. This is not really a huge concern, because my rent isn't that much. Like I said, as long as I'm employed at least part time, I'll be able to pay it. Im planning to live in DC, so this is actually a better deal for me.

And the external scholarships, I think you're right that I'll have to research those on my own, but I was actually hoping that I'd be able to land an assistantship after the first year since you have one year's worth of graduate qualifications to lean on.

[rising_star]

Are the loans for tuition or something else? Maybe you can apply for scholarships to help with tuition? Does your employer offer any sort of tuition reimbursement? As for figuring out the true costs, I know the Dept of Ed has come calculators online to help you figure out what the repayment will be and that sort of thing...

[unknownscholar]

yes the 40K is for tuition.

[Minnesotan]

Are there competitive assistantships available to students in your program, or are they all reserved for those with guaranteed funding? Can you TA/RA in other departments that do have competitive positions? These are questions to direct to your PA or advisor, and could be very important.