If you're going back to school, www.fafsa.gov is where you want to start for financial aid. Aside from that, just contact the school and get an application for financial aid.

B1nary

Canada1267 Posts

March 24 2009 00:39 GMT

#22

3 is your safest option right now. The 2-3 year commitment isn't too long (college is a 2-4 year commitment) and even if you are deployed in hostile territory, the chances of something happening to you isn't too high. Also, the economy might improve in 2-3 years. 1 will probably give you the most utility in the long run but you'll have a really hard time finding the financial support to go through college. It's becoming harder and harder to be successful without a college degree so at some point in the future, you probably will kick yourself for not getting one.

Personally, I really like option 2. I visited Shanghai a few times and it's a great city if you can get used to Chinese culture and customs. It'll really give you the opportunity to experience something now and to "live life," as some might put it. That being said, it's probably your riskiest option and if you end up hating it, you'll be in even more financial trouble.

Good luck! I really hope you find something right for you.

EscPlan9

United States2777 Posts

March 24 2009 01:10 GMT

#23

I've used FAFSA before to help fund myself as I went through college. However, I've never applied for scholarships or grants, and I don't know if there's specific ones when you're unemployed like me.

And to clarify my education history goes like this (after high school)

2 years at community college: obtained Associates Degree in Social Sciences

Transferred to a 4 year college to obtain my Bachelors Degree. However during my senior year I was in a terrible state of mind then and couldn't concentrate on my education anymore. My family let me know it's okay not to finish college then, and I took their advice and dropped out during my senior year. I don't need any lectures on whether it was a good move or not - getting out of there and being back with my family helped me get back into a more stable state of mind, and there was no chance I was going to be able to pass any of my classes that semester.

Then I picked up a few stray jobs here and there before deciding that IT is the field I want to go in (and not Psychology, as I was doing at the time). Finally, through self-study I passed the A+ Certification exams last April.

EscPlan9

United States2777 Posts

March 24 2009 01:34 GMT

#24

On March 24 2009 08:11 Khaymus wrote:
Hey EscPlan9,

First of all I wanted to say RAWR I WILL DESTROY YOU IN TECMO BOWL!

Second, I am going to be commissioning as an officer in the Air Force in October. I have been going through the ROTC program at Michigan Tech. I don't know if you are familiar with this program, but in a nutshell it combines your options 1 and 3 together. Its a 4 year commitment after college, but you would be an officer (much better pay than enlisted) and there are also scholarship opportunities to pay for college. I think its a really good deal. Anyways, just throwing that out there! If you have any questions about ROTC or the Air Force in general, let me know!

Good luck with everything!!

You shall not destroy me in TSB! I predict I go 4-1 reg season and then 2-1 in the finals. Liquibet that mothafucka!

Thanks for letting me know more about the Airforce, I'll PM you for further details.

edit: Check out my league stats yo:

My experience is going to shine through. Good luck next season!

eXigent.

Canada2419 Posts

March 24 2009 02:10 GMT

#25

Too bad your area doesn't offer the same pay level as mine for Trade work. I put up tin buildings for oil / energy companies to encase all of their piping etc, and the entry level salary is $27/hr, with your typical foreman making close to $80/hr (no previous training required)

t_co

United States702 Posts

March 24 2009 02:23 GMT

#26

do 2, teach some girl w/ a rich daddy, become her boyfriend, go work for her daddy's company

Mista

Singapore1022 Posts

March 24 2009 02:31 GMT

#27

Go to school...in this bleak economy acquiring knowledge seems the most sensible.And you can have a part-time job for that extra income.So options 1 and 4 are definitely what i'd recommend

iSCOUT4u

United States327 Posts

March 24 2009 04:41 GMT

#28

Air Force hands down...ok pay..along with free living food etc. It should be a great learning experience...learn some new skills...stable. 2-3 years isnt long at all. And lets be serious...its the air force...if u get deployed anywhere...your not going to be in much danger. This isnt the marines or army were talking about....If i didnt have so many visible tattoos...i would have joined the air force or navy a long time ago.

JeeJee

Canada5652 Posts

March 24 2009 04:47 GMT

#29

On March 24 2009 11:10 eXigent. wrote:
Too bad your area doesn't offer the same pay level as mine for Trade work. I put up tin buildings for oil / energy companies to encase all of their piping etc, and the entry level salary is $27/hr, with your typical foreman making close to $80/hr (no previous training required)

whoa where is this

FragKrag

United States11567 Posts

March 24 2009 04:50 GMT

#30

3 seems like the best path. The air force will definitely be more stable than the business atm. It will also count towards experience, and you can ride out the tough times with decent wage.

EscPlan9

United States2777 Posts

March 24 2009 08:10 GMT

#31

RE the "2-3 year commitment isn't long - college is a 4 year commitment":

Joining the AirForce is a far different commitment than going to college. With college, you have a ridiculous amount of freedom in how to spend your time. With the AirForce, you only get the freedom when they specifically allow it (i.e. paid vacations). I also will be living a drastically different life considering the majority of my free time right now is spent playing guitar or gaming.

Divinek

Canada4045 Posts

March 24 2009 08:27 GMT

#32

Pretty much the same here too.

EscPlan9

United States2777 Posts

March 24 2009 09:56 GMT

#33

On March 24 2009 09:13 vAltyR wrote:
1 and 3 are definitely your best options. 1 is basically "more knowledge" and 3 is basically "more experience," and both look good on a resume. I'd say go for the bachelor's degree first, then see if you can't get a job. If not, go for the air force. Yeah, it's a 2-3 year commitment, but the benefits really make up for the low salary, and it's overall a pretty good deal.

I should also mention another benefit from the AirForce - they will pay for 100% of your tuition if you decide to take classes while you're enlisted. I DEFINITELY would make use of that!

edit: So AirForce can give me both more knowledge and more experience simultaneously.

Track

United States217 Posts

March 24 2009 11:35 GMT

#34

Yeah, EscPlan9, I was about to make a note of that. I'm in the Marine Corps, and I know many, many, many people that have gotten their degrees while in active duty. It's completely free, and the USAF has just about every class you can possibly imagine available on every base, online and free of charge. One should also note that given your associates degree, you would start at a higher rank than normal, possibly as high as E-4, which is a considerably better pay grade than E-1 which you probably assumed was going to be your beginning rank.

Feel free to PM me regarding any questions about the Armed Forces.