Huge Delima! Need Advice!

[shadowfax_2931]

So I have this huge delima, and its a big decision for me to make, and I have like a week to make it. I didn't get my finincial aide application in in time for this school year, so chances are that I won't get aide for schooling. I cannot afford to pay for shcool out of my pocket right now either. I also  signed a lease for an apartment at the end

Comments

[karri_kln1671]

Tricky situation...firstly, I'd say that a late financial aid application doesn't mean you won't get it. I often applied months late and still got my aid. So as long as you got the form submitted, there's a fair chance you'll get the aid.

Now, the thing to consider if you take a year off is that after 6 months of not being in school you're going to be expected to start repaying any school loans you've already received.

If you really have no clue what you want to study and have taken all of your general education courses, then I'd say, take the year off. Wasting money on courses that aren't taking you in any direction and aren't contributing toward general graduation requirements is silly, though taken a semester of courses that just look interesting can be a good way of finding a direction.

If you still have Gens that you could take, I'd say stay in school and take your Gens while figuring out what you want to do. It's cliche, but it's also true that getting back to school after taking time off is really hard to do, even if you sincerely intended to go back to school when you made the decision. Once you've settled into the real world, it's just plain tough to pull-up roots and return to academia. If you take a year off, I'd almost be willing to bet that one turns into a minimum of 5 years, with a likelihood of 10 years, before returning to school.

Also, if simply getting the education and degree aren't a priority for you, then it might not be for you. Have you looked into 2 year programs that are more focused on getting you into the workforce tham in a well-rounded, traditional education?

So I guess what I'm saying is that I understand not wanting to waste money on schooling you may not use, but you need to be certain you're willing to accept the good possibility of never finishing school if you decide to leave school before finishing.

[shadowfax_2931]

Well, I guess I have to figure out if I am going to be able to get aid or not first.... thats the problem I guess. I really do have all intentions of finishing school and I have a few ideas on my mind, but I am just fighthing with it all. lol. life is really stressfull and I guess school is just one thing I don't want to worry about...

Thank you for that! :)