Student Loan Reminder
I recently opened up my quarterly federal student loan statement and it may or may not have made me sick to my stomach. Often times, students will take out loans to pay for their tuition and living expenses, but not check the status of these loans until it is time to start paying for them. Obviously, school today is much more expensive and going to a private school may require taking out some amount of student loans. It is essential to understand what kind of loans you are taking out, as some accrue interest while you are in school and some do not. It would be wise to sit down with a financial advisor or give OneStop a call to discuss your loan options for a better understanding of what you are signing up for.
Personally, I knew going into graduate school that I would be taking out a significant amount of student loans. However, I also knew the pay-off once I graduated with my DPT degree would be worth it. I will be doing what I love, serving others in a healthcare career, making good money, and have the choice of where I would like to work because the PT job market is great. Currently, I’ve just taken a step back and told myself all will be okay. I just need to be cognizant of the amount of money I will need to pay back and keep this idea in the back of my mind. Soon I will be applying for jobs and looking at loan forgiveness programs, payment plans, etc. My plan is to sit down with a financial advisor and see what my best repayment plan will be as a new grad.
If you are attending, will be attending, or thinking about attending CSS you should know that the education is affordable and you are offered so much in addition to a top notch education. To help with cost there are many scholarships that the college offers and there are also a multitude of work study jobs on campus to cut some costs. I’ve held multiple campus jobs including this student blog, assistant baseball coach, a statistics tutor, and a teaching assistant position. There are also many job opportunities outside of the college. Duluth is a buzzing city and there are always businesses looking to hire and help out local students.
In summary: Be aware of your financial situation. Utilize the resources you are offered at CSS to help understand your loans. Look for scholarships and job opportunities that are available. Live like a college student, not a lavish millionaire lifestyle – look for the deals and utilize the student discount whenever possible. Have a plan and take it one step at a time!
CSS Scholarship Directory Site
Tags: finance, financial management, jobs, loans, Money, OneStop, scholarships, student loans, work study
