I am a 26 year old father. I have an 8 year old daughter. I am looking to further my education and become a teacher. The issue I am running in to is I make too much for FAFSA, but I make too little to pay for it on my own. Does anyone know where I could go for some more funding. I have bad credit, so I don't think I could get a student loan. Any suggestions?

Hi,

Most companies today offer tuition reimbursement. Does your employer? I've always found that I could get tuition paid by my employer, even though they didn't highlight it in the employee handbooks. Go to your HR/personnel department at work. Also, guaranteed student loans are available. I would fill out all the applications that you can find. I imagine you can find info. on the internet. Also, you're too young to have bad credit. don't assume that little or no credit history equates to bad credit. You'd be surprised what a few years and a few good payments can do for your credit report.

Good luck.

v.

Vmlabbe,

Thanks for your reply, I have never heard of a guaranteed student loan, are those accessible through the internet. As far as tuition reimbursement, I don't know if I could do that. I am a tech at an Automation center currently, and they will pay for my tuition as long as it applies to my current career path, but the issue is I want to become a teacher, which is in no way the path I am on right now. I would feel as if I were failing my company if I were to lie to them about my degree. So my only choice right now is the guaranteed student loan??? Thanks again

Have you already filled out your FAFSA? If you don't qualify for grants through there, they'll normally approve you for loans. I would talk to someone at the school you want to go to. They should have specific advice.

Definately fill out the FAFSA form. I filled out that one form and was able to get a small grant and 2 loans for the primary of my school costs. Check out www.fastweb.*** for scholarship info.
Have you decided on a college? Check out different adult education programs. The one I chose does offer education degrees. I checked out several around here and they all had adult education classes but 2 of them said ok, yes you have to be here xyz days. I ended up going with the more expensive one because I chose the day I could attend school. When I thought about it in terms of how much money I can make an hour and having to change my schedule again at work (financial suicide in my business) it was less expensive. They allow you to pay x# of dollars a month not per class and the books are online so you pay a flat assessment fee of $60 for each class, not each book.
There are many options .. check them all out. Maybe your employer will let you use reimbersment for some of your lower level classes that will help you in your current position. Exhaust all options and do not give up!
Carla

fill out the FAFSA despite the bad credit. I had just filed bankruptcy when I filled out mine and they still gave me student loans.

I have horrible credit and I live off of my student loans. It is up to you, but one good thing about being a full time student and a single parent is that you don't really have to work. I don't know if you would want to quit your job, but if you take out all the financial aid and loans possible every semester it is enough to live on. That may not be a possibility for you though. What you might want to do is go to your financial aid department, or if the college you want to go to has a seperate loan department, go talk to them and find out which loans you qualify for. I can guarantee that you can get loans at least for one semester. After that, if you make good enough grades, you might be able to apply for scholarships. Good luck and if you need any help let me know. I might be able to look up info for you or something else.