How do I overcome my fear of student loan debt?

If you're unsure about what you would major in, etc., you should know that most good schools have counseling for finding a suitable field, providing advice, etc.

Additionally, the current facts in this country are this: If you want an education, you have to pay for it. That being said, there are many federal loans and grants available to most students that are very favorable. Grants are essentially free money that will help you pay for an education.

Your first step is to complete the FAFSA. This will project what kinds of loans and/or grants you might be able to receive prior to going to school. This will give you a good idea of what kinds of obligations, if any, you might have to look forward to (or worry about--depending on how you see things) before making the jump to go back to school.

Additionally, so long as you don't go to a school you can't afford (like I did), you can probably manage to pay back your loans with reasonable terms and in a reasonable amount of time. Look into a public university, etc., schedule a time to meet with an admissions counselor and bring your questions!

Hi there,

What are you looking to major in? A bachelors degree always looks better than an associates degree when it comes to applying for jobs. You can take a free online college course at www.testdrivecollege.com, the course will transfer into any partnering college. Taking this free course can save you over $1,000 on a college course.

Online colleges are a great option for those who have busy schedules and want to better their futures. Every college ranges in tuition. Non-profit colleges are typically cheaper than for-profit colleges. Financial aid is a great option for students to look into if they are concerned about the price of their education. I would advise to speak to a financial aid representative before committing to a school to make sure the cost works for you.

A few things to consider when looking into an online college are:

1) are the "for-profit" or "non-profit"? - Typically you would want to look for a "non-profit" college. For-profit college are all about making money and less about the student's futures and education. Most for-profit colleges their admissions department is constantly changing and hiring is like a revolving door. Non-profit colleges are focused on making sure the students are a right match for the college. They don't enroll just anyone - they want to make sure they accept students who will succeed and want what the college has to offer.

2) are they regionally or nationally accredited? - You would want a college that is regionally accredited. That means your degree and credits are valid in other states and at other schools. This would be important if you decided you wanted to go to grad school, transfer schools, or when you are applying for jobs showing you have a legitimate bachelors degree.

Here are a few non-profit regionally accredited colleges that offer degrees online:

Urbana University:

Business Administration

Business Administration with an emphasis in Health Care Managment

elearning.urbana.edu

San Diego Christian College (faith based)

Christian Ministries

Business Administration

Human Development

elearning.sdcc.edu

Southwestern Christian College (faith based)

Business Management

Business Leadership

Biblical Leadership

Human and Family Services

elearning.swcu.edu

I hope this helps.