sticker shock

[arethinn]

Dear gods! Forget that master's degree. For example, here's the info from the brochure for Washington's, which Judy recommended to me when I mentioned that I had found their program:

"For the 2003-2004 academic year, tuition was $339/credit for all students, regardless of state residency. The total program tuition is anticipated at approximately $22,989. The University of Washington reserves the right to change tuition and fees in accordance with the state legislature. Tuition may increase for the 2004-2005 academic year."

I simply can't afford that. I refuse to take financial aid (well, specifically I refuse to take any student loans - grants I suppose would be okay), which is moot because I wouldn't qualify in the first place. This program is three years long, by the way. In theory I could afford it now, if I didn't want to be able to spend money on anything but school and my car payment, but when I am in Canada I anticipate needing that money to live on, and I won't be able to be paying it out for higher education.

Now, the next possible enrollment would begin next August, by which time I am hoping to already be in Canada (and therefore needful of the money). So, so much for that.

(Also, neverminding hoping to not be in the country and therefore really unsure if I could make it, even in my current situation I don't have enough vacation time to be able to attend the required residencies.)

Comments

[kudzu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my Master's program at Seattle University is $449 per credit for a 60 credit program totalling $26,904. I'm going to be paying back loans for the rest of my life, if I get into the program.

[winterredwood.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about student loans. I'm already heavily in debt from the loans I took while at my old school (before Foothill), and the thought of taking any more to continue my education is horrifying. It's really discouraging to me-- it makes me feel like there's no point in higher education if I'm going to spend the rest of my life paying off loans. Grrr. But it never hurts to apply for aid anyway. You never know what you might get.

[arethinn]

Trust me, with a gross household income of ~$140,000, I don't qualify for financial aid. Even if I only used my own income, that's still pushing $50k. I might be able to get scholarships (and have done), but I'm never going to get free aid like grants.

[winterredwood.livejournal.com]

No... probably not. I make a lot less than that, and I don't qualify for grants myself. It sucks. I was telling someone earlier that I'm going to have lots and lots of babies so I can claim a bunch of dependents. :)