School or work?

[stitch12]

I am currently waiting to get results from a Live Scan for employment with DCFS. I had been told by classmates that I might be able to apply for the Calswec stipend but have been looking into the requirements and am now realizing that it might be too late to apply. By the time I hear about the job I will be close to starting my second year of my Masters program and am not sure if they will grant me the time off given to stipend students, for one's internship, with such short notice. I was thinking that I could probably take time off from school to start working for DCFS,  and return later and apply to get time off from work for my internship. I might also have to leave school and have to reapply if I am unable to take a leave of absence since it might be too late. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do?