How do you survive financially?

[rliving23]

I am seriously considering a different career path at the age of 32. How do PA students stay afloat financially during their enrollment in PA school? There is no way or time to work is there?


Thanks,

Rob

[Iain1028]

Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans

[klb48]

Become REALLY good friends with Sallie Mae. It can be done!

[Iain1028]

Sallie Mae is my life long partner....

She will scorn you if you treat her wrong.....

[EMEDPA]

I did a 3 yr part time program and worked during school....

[Iain1028]

Emed, that is the way they should all be in my opinion.....

[LIVNLEARN]

I made the career change at age 29. We sold our house, pocketed the equity and rented a home. We used the earned-equity to offset me not having a job and we used loans to pay for school. It's working well. I graduate soon and will be taking a job paying 50% more/year than I earned prior to PA school. The difference in pay prior to PA school vs. post-PA school is enough to pay of my PA school debt in <2 yrs.

[rsqdvr]

Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans Loans

x 2. Oh the horror!

[Iain1028]

In retrospect I could have eaten out less during PA school, but when you are starving, cold, tired, and hungry, you just don't care.....

And during clinicals when I rented out rooms in people's houses that I didn't know, I never liked using their kitchens, but that is my hang up....

Just eat and put it on the eternal tab....

[CAdamsPAC]

Top Ramen, Happy hours buffets, cheap apartment, carpooling/mass transit,loans, not going to a MS program.

[Hemegroup]

In retrospect I could have eaten out less during PA school, but when you are starving, cold, tired, and hungry, you just don't care.....

I wonder how much interest I'll end up paying on the crab and tuna sushi I had delivered this evening ...

[klb48]

[quote=Iain1028;202502]In retrospect I could have eaten out less during PA school, but when you are starving, cold, tired, and hungry, you just don't care.....
quote]

This actually does make a difference. I have classmates that go out to lunch every day and go out to eat every weekend. I brown bag it every day and very rarely go out to eat......saves me LOADS! Also, make your own coffee...don't go to Starbucks every day! All that stuff really adds up.

[Prospective PA]

completely agree with the above, frugality and good sense makes all the difference. Many students get the loan installments in their bank, and never had $5000 cash sitting in there...they go awry!!
But yes, loans are the only way to make it. and if by some way of miracle you have left over at the end of the semester, put it toward your loan...pay it down...

[chulzle]

they give you enough loans to get by minimally - and of course you can't be paying off a huge home and all kinda bills to be able to do such a thing
talk to a fin aid person at the school you consider
my tuition is 12K and i am given 32k per year?
so that's like living on 20k
so consider your choices, family, support etc, what will you have to do to get your life in order for this big change
no you can not work
yes it's VERY difficult and your finances will be least of your worries so make sure all that is taken care of
good luck

[Sherrie2166]

I am 43, married, with 2 children (one in college and the other will be in a year and a half). I am quitting work to go to PA school-got accepted and start Summer 2010 (YEAH!). Are loans really the only way to go since we are losing all of my income? We cannot survive on just my husband's income alone. Any advice?