Should I Go To School Just So I Can Defer Student Loan Payments?

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By SweetiePie

Education is priceless and rewarding in so many different facets of your life.  However, does that mean you should you go back to school just so you can defer student loans? This can be a good move if you are entering a program that you have a passion for, and will eventually get a job that will enable you to pay off your loans. However, going back to school just to defer student loans can be a peril since most likely you will have to take out new loans just to pay for this new program you are embarking upon, which will add to the total sum of your student loan debt. So sit down and think about if you really want to go further in debt just so you can defer student loan payments for a couple of years.

You can always make interesting art work out of your graduation pictures.
You can always make interesting art work out of your graduation pictures.
Source: sweetbearies.com
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Graduate School And Student Loans

Going to graduate school can be immensely rewarding if you have chosen a field you want to truly work in several years down the line once you have obtained your degree. However, you must do some research and decide whether you want to accumulate more debt for a program that pay not pan out in the long run. 

Take about six or seven months to research as many schools and programs as possible before you make your final decision. If you can, try not to complete a master's degree program at a private university that offers online classes. Now there are many public universities that offer online programs for people who do not want to commute.

Now you should file your FASA form to see how much money you will get for graduate school, which might give you an idea about which programs are best for you.

If you decide to try an online program just because it is more expeditious, you might be in for a big surprise. Online programs are convenient for people who can manage their time well and who are self motivated, but if you have a hard time telling yourself to study and finish papers on your own - then this may not be the type of program for you.

There is something to be said for traditional classroom programs where you can interact with classmates one-on-one, and have day-to-day feedback with your professors. Perhaps it would be best to audit a few courses at a university before committing to any online or brick and mortar program though.


Real World Experience Rather Than Graduate School

Rather than obtaining a second master's degree I might only be luke warm about, I have decided to pursue my dreams of becoming a published author. Writing for websites such as Hubpages, the Examiner, and Demand Media helped me to get into the groove of writing for an audience, and the push to finally start that novel I have wanted to write for years. Now I have about 27,000 words typed on my rough draft, and telling myself I am going to write a novel has helped me to stick to this goal. I am not the type that sets a deadline for its completion; that is just not my style! However, when I post about how I am writing on my rough draft it motivates me to do so, and I realize posting about it on my Facebook page even helps me to be more accountable. So my real world experiences with writing has enabled me to finally reach my goal of making this novel a published reality in the very near future. Although I would love to go back to graduate school and obtain a second degree because this would allow me to read and write (two things Iove), I have decided writing instead has enabled me to do the exact same thing. Also, I am not contributed to my student loan debt this way, so focusing on my goal of becoming a published author has been the best thing for me. In the mean time I work on my online articles to keep me in the groove, which obliterates writer's block more than any other strategy.

Comments

Malcolm_Cox profile image

Malcolm_Cox 16 months ago

This is a hot topic in the UK at the moment as University education has always been free or subsidised. The students are rioting in the streets as that is all about to change!

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie Hub Author 16 months ago

Hi Malcolm_Cox,

Oh yes the age austerity has come to Europe, and now the US is due to follow with the new Republican lead house. I personally feel higher education should be free or at least subsidized for anyone who is able to enter a university. I do not agree with rioting, but I can see why those students were angry. I think peaceful protest is the way to go.

papatrimble profile image

papatrimble 16 months ago

Education here in Baltimore is very high. If you don't get it early and have to go back as an adult, you're stuck with really high fees, plus a stressful lifestyle trying to fit it into your schedule.

papatrimble profile image

papatrimble 16 months ago

Education here in Baltimore is very high. If you don't get it early and have to go back as an adult, you're stuck with really high fees, plus a stressful lifestyle trying to fit it into your schedule.

Simone Smith profile image

Simone Smith Level 8 Commenter 16 months ago

This is a wonderful, thoughtful Hub, and I appreciate your writing it! Grad school is definitely not for everyone, but for those it IS for, it's definitely worth it! I suppose the most important thing to do is make sure one is going for the right reasons, because it is a HUGE additional expense @_@

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie Hub Author 16 months ago

Thanks for all the great comments. If I could do it again I would have obtained a master's degree in creative writing because this is my true calling. I do not regret obtaining a master's degree in education, but I wish I would have thought a bit more about it at the time. The skills I obtained from my degree are very helpful when it comes to communication and writing. However, paying for a degree in a field that turned out not to be my cup of tea is a bit exasperating at times.

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