My degree is not worth the debt! - Page 13

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  1. Jun 29, '11 by
    I have a lot of student loan debt. I didn't go into it foolishly, I knew what I was doing. However, I didn't buy plasma tvs or a new car. I've been driving the same truck for 10 years. The most expensive item I ever bought with my money was a laptop. The rest went for school related expenses and to help pay the monthly bills while I was in school. I'll be paying it back forever, but I take full resposibilty for it. I don't think the government owes me anything. It is my degree, and I will pay for it. The problem with a lot of people today is they think everyone owes them something. No one wants to take responsibilty for their own lives and choices. I could have worked more while I was in school, but it was my choice not to. The one guy who said America has let him down irritated me. If people don't want to pay back loans, then they should stay working at the gas station or Mcdonalds. Personally, I see nothing wrong with those jobs. A job is a job. Also, I don't see how students get so much debt. There are life time limits on loans. How do they get them if they have exceeded the limit? My school would only allow us to borrow up to a certain amount each year. I guess all schools aren't like that.
    RHC81, DSkelton711, cogath, and 1 other like this.
  2. Asst. Admin
    Jun 29, '11 by
    Quote from carrie_c
    There are life time limits on loans. How do they get them if they have exceeded the limit?
    Private student loans are a way to get around lifetime limits. Once a student has exhausted the supply of help from low-interest government loans, many private lenders (Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc.) are willing to issue higher-interest student loans to cover any shortfalls. This is how a person can accrue $240,000 in student loan debt for an undergrad degree in some useless liberal arts major and a graduate degree in social work.
    lindarn likes this.
  3. Jun 30, '11 by
    Quote from lrobinson5
    Here would be my proposal: The BOG Waiver, which waives your tuition at least at the community college level, should be extended to everyone. I don't see why we should pay to get someone a car, pay for housing etc. I think that by providing tuition waivers, and then leaving books and supplies (which can be checked out in the library) up to the students it would make a well rounded education available to everyone. I think that even if someone gets an AA and ends up working at a gas station for whatever reason, it is still better than stopping at high school and working at the same gas station.

    It wouldn't be perfect, but I think it would allow people to continue their education, and if they chose to get an advanced degree for the career they want, it can go from there to the university level.
    Love it. A HUGE improvement over the current way of doing things.
    lindarn likes this.
  4. Jun 30, '11 by
    People don't realize how much this can vary from state to state. Some states have terrific programs for their own in-state students. Others not so much. My state unfortunately is one of the most expensive for college.

    I have grad school debt- I paid my own way for undergrad. Grad school tuition is way too high to be affordable. Even with lots of scholarship money (thank you wealthy benefactors!) I still will have debt until my dying day or about 20 more years- whichever comes first. I can't say I regret it, even though paying these last 10 years and hardly making a dent in the balance is depressing. I could use that money for other things.

    Now my son is college age and I can't help him. I feel bad, but no one helped me either. It is what it is. I have gotten better jobs but not more money for having a graduate degree. We make choices.
    Not_A_Hat_Person, lindarn, CCRNDiva, and 1 other like this.
  5. Jun 30, '11 by
    Very interesting topic!!
  6. Jun 30, '11 by
    WOW !! It has been quite a ride reading this thread. I think there is a lack of imagination sometimes when it comes to education. Universities are VERY nice and I enjoyed my time there. I also saved a FORTUNE using CLEP/DSST exams. 60 credits which equals 2 years of undergrad study cost about $2,000 (todays price) and those credits are accepted everywhere including grad schools and the ivy league. Its important to be informed and proactive about your future and that INCLUDES debt. Grow up.
    lindarn and RHC81 like this.
  7. Jun 30, '11 by
    Not true- sometimes grad schools have very strict requirements. It depends on the program and the school. I was able to CLEP test two courses for my post grad certificate, but my grad program was very strict and would only accept 6 transfer credits if they matched EXACTLY the course description for their own course, no way would they accept CLEP. Some schools are more liberal than others, but do not assume CLEP will be accepted.
    lindarn, CCRNDiva, DSkelton711, and 2 others like this.
  8. Jun 30, '11 by
    As a fellow nurse who has an outstanding loan debt that is beyond belief (I was trying to complete a PhD), I feel ur pain. I 4 one, believe student loan debt 4 nurses should be voided after working fulltime within the nursing profession for five yrs.
    Not_A_Hat_Person and lindarn like this.
  9. Jun 30, '11 by
    I agree, they give help to teachers who have student loan debt, why not nurses?
    lindarn likes this.
  10. Jun 30, '11 by
    Quote from carrie_c
    I agree, they give help to teachers who have student loan debt, why not nurses?
    Nursing doesn't have the PR machine of teaching.
    lindarn, Nurse2bKimberly, nursemarion, and 1 other like this.