“Dear Steve,
My name is Tina, married with a child and a disabled parent. I have a little over $60,000 in student loans because I cannot get a job in this economy. I started online classes in 2002 for CJ. Graduated in 2008 with a BA in CJ. Went to interviews all over the country and here I sit, with my loans.
I recently had a complicated migraine (stroke like symptoms), brain decompression and had a kidney worked on. My medical bills are above the student loans, but those collectors do not call me as often and are happy with any amount of money that I can send them. I am at a loss of what to do. I am to the point of no return. I never thought I would ever feel this helpless. How can I provide for my family when I cannot even utilize my degree to make the money needed?
Can anyone please stir me in the right direction??
Tina”
Dear Tina,
I’m so sorry to hear you are struggling with this. I’m certain part of your migraine issues are probably related to the stress you are dealing with over this.
Let’s start with some basic information. What school did you attend, how much do you owe in student loans and are these government backed or private student loans?
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
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I also wanted to add that I stayed home in 2005 to finish my degree, raise our daughter and take care of my mother and mother-in-law. Kaplan stated they would help me find employment and didn’t. Kaplan told me I could work as a civilian but that too was a lie. The state I am in allows only police officers to work on cases. The flexibility is great, they just forgot some important facts including how much all the school would cost! Heck, I was over my head in debt before I knew it!!
I am so sorry that I forgot the basic information!
I attended UOP – University of Phoenix Online (2002-2004) and Kaplan University Online (2005-2008). Total for private and gov’t student loans is $65,000. Both schools did the work for me and I all I had to do was sign the dotted line. I didn’t even know how far I was in debt until it was too late!
When people hear ‘online schooling’, they automatically think ‘lazy person, free degree, ect’. I’ll tell you, they covered everything you needed to know for the CJ field. How to conduct investigations to taking a picture of a shoe print in the mud. I do not feel I was taken for a ride with my degree. I will say that had I known how expensive the online schools were, I would hav gone with a more traditional school.
How much do you have in government backed loans?
Ironically you are the second person in a week that has had a similar situation.
About $45,000! Â That is crazy that I am the second person in a week. Maybe we are all just sensing that we need make a change. Â I know I want to pay my loans, my bills, eat sensibly and enjoy life. Â Sadly, I am picking what should be taken care of and that is my daughter. Â I am last in the food chain even though I am currently the only person working and making under $30K
Ironically that’s a bit of good news. You are most likely eligible for a much smaller student loan payment through the IBR program, click here.
Check that out and let’s see how much help that gives you. Use the online tool to estimate what your payment would be. The private loans can’t be included but do factor in to what you can afford.
Please report back.