Paying for grad school....?!

[Em916]

Hey everyone! Longtime lurker but first time poster, I figured it was about time to reach out to all the other aspiring slps out there! I am stoked that I was accepted to my first choice program and school-but I'm not excited about the debt I'm about to incur...

I don't think my school has much/any funds to give out to masters students,especially out of field students. Applying to undergrad I had the help of my high school guidance counselors to find local scholarships and ones that were actually realistic ( not the national ones that feel more like a sweepstakes than a merit/need based aid). However I've been out of school for 3 years now so I feel a little overwhelmed when I google this stuff. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know loans will be a part of my grad school experience but if I can reduce them even a little I'd love to know how! Plus I need a new computer...my beast from undergrad won't make it

Thanks all!

Edited March 3, 2014 by Em916

[tchris]

I don't have too much advice, but I would recommend starting your search by contacting the advisors and financial aid office at that school.  They can at least give you a starting point, since searching via google yields too much information.  Some offices may be more helpful than others, but their job is to help students pay for school.  Maybe someone else on here will have some more specific advice.

[autismadvocate]

I wish I knew... My tactic was only to apply to less expensive schools/schools that give a lot of funding. I, too, am really hoping that someone here has the answer to this...

[autismadvocate]

I just thought of this - check the school's program page? If they offer scholarships, a lot of them will say so there.

[sayjo]

I'm not sure about other states, but Illinois has a tuition waiver program for people that are going to go into the "special education" side of things (SLP counts).  Basically, your tuition is free at an Illinois public school, as long as you promise to teach in a special education field in Illinois schools for two years after you graduate.  I applied, and am hoping to get the tuition waiver.

[SLPamy]

I'm not sure about other states, but Illinois has a tuition waiver program for people that are going to go into the "special education" side of things (SLP counts).  Basically, your tuition is free at an Illinois public school, as long as you promise to teach in a special education field in Illinois schools for two years after you graduate.  I applied, and am hoping to get the tuition waiver.

Can you tell me where/how to apply? Fellow Illinoisan here!

[sayjo]

Can you tell me where/how to apply? Fellow Illinoisan here!

 

Here is the link, but I think the priority date was March 1st.  

[madisong23]

I also was told by an admissions director to look at websites like fastweb.com for scholarships and look into opportunities like private grants.