I likely have one of the more circuitous routes for college.
1st in my HS class to get accepted, College of Pharmacy at Northeastern, even tuition paid 1st year, less than $1000 as I recall. I was able to work in the Dining hall for Room & Board. I loved Boston.Being oldest of 8, I knew this was a stretch for my parents.
But going from a class of 36 to one of over 3000 was maybe more than I bargained for. I decided to take time off at the end year to work and reorient.
Just days after turning 19 got my Draft notice, so I enlisted. While in Basic Training I received my acceptance to change major for fall term. Couldn’t make it.
So then I had 10 years of limbo, wanted to go back to school, but never got it together, but I did learn, not having a degree was an impediment. Education was a major factor in going back in the Army.
Army had a Tuition Assistance program that I took advantage of at Ft Campbell. Army paid tuition for classes on duty time. It was great.
After getting throughly esconced in my job in Hawaii it was back to school. First my AA, then BS in Business via Hawaii Pacific College (now HPU). I was a serious student, often 12 credit hour semesters. TA no longer available, but tuition was affordable. This BS degree was key to getting my direct commission.
I was primarily an infantry officer, but all army officers get an alternate specialty. I decided to be a Comptroller so while at Ft Dix got my MS in Business Administration and got into Comptroller school. Used my VA benefits to pay. Fast forward a few, working my Resource Management/Manpower job in Germany and I get an opportunity to switch to Automation officer with deal that in exchange I could get schooling support. Got my MS in Computer Information Systems from Boston University, mostly paid by VA.
So, from hiccup to AA, BS, 2 MS degrees and no debt. Just took awhile.
My point is Alternatives. Todays tuition is almost beyond belief. How fortunate if parents had the foresight and capability. But I’m totally against these excessive loans. Schools did well years ago, but unfortunately today they just feed at the trough. Yesterday, UH Manoa hired a new President. $645k salary, $7k/month housing, $60k moving expenses. Crazy.