fretting about paying for college

[RamonaQ]

So ds is only 11yo, but my dh casually mentioned to me the other night "you know, you will have to work when we send to the kids to college so we can afford it". I agree with this sentiment, I, also, don't want the kids to be saddled with loans.

 

However, now I am completely freaking out since, well, I can't go back to my previous field (Ph.D. scientist) since I let all my professional contacts go about 5 years ago when we began homeschooling-- honestly, I never loved that work. Plus the field has changed so much....

 

I have thought about maybe getting a teaching certificate to teach high school science (chemistry or biology). What do you think? Would this be a valid plan? If not, can you give me some other ideas to think about it?

 

TIA.

[hillfarm]

Don't just work while the kids are IN college, work AT their college!

 

Most schools offer tuition remission (free tuition!) for employees and their dependent children. Sometimes you can even swap your remission with that of parents at other schools, kind of like a time share condo. You will still have to pay for room and board, books, or extra fees, but if they still live at home or can live frugally off campus, the expense will be a fraction of the full cost.

 

BTW, it didn't kill me when I had to work hard during the summers and long school breaks, plus get good grades and earn as many scholarships as I could, and take out an educational grant to afford school. My loan payment was only $50 per month and that only after I graduated and got a job. If your dc are truly motivated, they can find ways to pay for their own schooling if they have to.

 

And there's also employer sponsored education, depending on your dc's chosen profession. Many employers will hire young people in very entry level positions and then pay for their college education in exchange for a certain number of years of guaranteed service.

 

Don't let it freak you out. There are lots of ways to get a college education if a person really wants one.

[DarlaS]

So ds is only 11yo, but my dh casually mentioned to me the other night "you know, you will have to work when we send to the kids to college so we can afford it". I agree with this sentiment, I, also, don't want the kids to be saddled with loans.

 

However, now I am completely freaking out since, well, I can't go back to my previous field (Ph.D. scientist) since I let all my professional contacts go about 5 years ago when we began homeschooling-- honestly, I never loved that work. Plus the field has changed so much....

 

I have thought about maybe getting a teaching certificate to teach high school science (chemistry or biology). What do you think? Would this be a valid plan? If not, can you give me some other ideas to think about it?

 

TIA.

 

You have a Ph.D. Can't you teach anything from high school on up college classes up to B.S. level?

 

This is a good time to be looking into requirements though. It's been only five years. I can't imagine too much would be needed to update your resume.

[DawnM]

Do you think you will like teaching high school? I taught high school for 16 years in the public schools, but it isn't for everyone.

 

We have already told our three boys that we will pay for them to stay at home and go to the local 4 year college. Beyond that, they will have to cover the difference if they choose another option.

 

I don't have the option of going back to teaching or school counseling when my oldest goes to college unless I choose to put the other two in school.

 

Dawn

[DawnM]

Not at most public schools, they still require the credential.

 

Dawn

 

You have a Ph.D. Can't you teach anything from high school on up college classes up to B.S. level?

 

This is a good time to be looking into requirements though. It's been only five years. I can't imagine too much would be needed to update your resume.

[MindyD]

Don't just work while the kids are IN college, work AT their college!

 

Most schools offer tuition remission (free tuition!) for employees and their dependent children. Sometimes you can even swap your remission with that of parents at other schools, kind of like a time share condo. You will still have to pay for room and board, books, or extra fees, but if they still live at home or can live frugally off campus, the expense will be a fraction of the full cost.

 

BTW, it didn't kill me when I had to work hard during the summers and long school breaks, plus get good grades and earn as many scholarships as I could, and take out an educational grant to afford school. My loan payment was only $50 per month and that only after I graduated and got a job. If your dc are truly motivated, they can find ways to pay for their own schooling if they have to.

 

And there's also employer sponsored education, depending on your dc's chosen profession. Many employers will hire young people in very entry level positions and then pay for their college education in exchange for a certain number of years of guaranteed service.

 

Don't let it freak you out. There are lots of ways to get a college education if a person really wants one.

 

:iagree:

[RamonaQ]

I can teach at a college level, but honestly, I only taught when I was in grad school--- like 15 years ago. It is VERY competitive to find college teaching positions here, especially since I don't have a lot of experience.

 

Although, I am certainly open to it.

 

I think I would love to teach high school. I have volunteered with that age group at our church, along with doing a couple of guest lecturer stints when I was working. I love that age.

[RamonaQ]

 

BTW, it didn't kill me when I had to work hard during the summers and long school breaks, plus get good grades and earn as many scholarships as I could, and take out an educational grant to afford school. My loan payment was only $50 per month and that only after I graduated and got a job. If your dc are truly motivated, they can find ways to pay for their own schooling if they have to.

 

 

Yes. This is what I did to get through college. Although my parents paid so that I didn't have a loan. I would, of course, be very hopeful this will be the route that my dc take too.

[DarlaS]

I can teach at a college level, but honestly, I only taught when I was in grad school--- like 15 years ago. It is VERY competitive to find college teaching positions here, especially since I don't have a lot of experience.

 

Although, I am certainly open to it.

 

I think I would love to teach high school. I have volunteered with that age group at our church, along with doing a couple of guest lecturer stints when I was working. I love that age.

 

It seems like a lot of people are going back to school. It certainly wouldn't hurt to look around. The local college may be more interested than you think. Especially if you're not looking for full-time employment with benefits. Remember, they offer online classes now in addition to on campus and need even more professors than they have rooms for.

 

There may be other options too if you're willing to think out of the box. A couple years ago, several local homeschoolers (myself included) paid a professor to teach a high school chemistry class. Maybe you could do classes like that.

[creekland]

I turned my science degree and experience into a part time job subbing in math and science classes (where the teachers actually let me teach, not just babysit like most subs, but you have to gain their confidence first). While I don't have the official teaching certification, if I ever decide I want a full time job, this is the way I plan to go. I enjoy myself there.

 

From your youngun's perspective, if they are academically able, having them get superb grades is a good way to get money for college as long as one isn't considering an ivy education. My oldest son is going to a 4 year private school full time including room and board for only $1000 more/semester than it's costing us to let my middle son take two cc classes.

 

His academic effort and extra curriculars have paid off nicely in scholarships - both from the college and locally. It's a nice bonus that has inspired my younger two.

[RamonaQ]

Thanks!

 

Interestingly, a friend suggested the subbing route, too. It is a good idea to perhaps just start networking with local community colleges, just to see.

[creekland]

Thanks!

 

Interestingly, a friend suggested the subbing route, too. It is a good idea to perhaps just start networking with local community colleges, just to see.

 

Just don't let the "new sub" junk get you down. Kids and teachers both act differently with a new sub than they will once you get a reputation as knowing what you are doing. It can take a little bit to get the reputation going. Now, at school, the kids treat me just like any other [decent] teacher and math/science teachers are happy to have someone qualified who can fill in when they need to be gone. In the very beginning I was "just a sub." It took less than 2 months to start changing the reputation.

 

Now I just need to "train" 9th graders every year (since I do grades 9 - 12). It doesn't take long. Word of mouth among students helps.

 

I really, really enjoy working with that age group and watching them learn and mature. I also LOVE the variety of different classes on different days. It keeps my mind up on many aspects. I tell the "real" teachers that I get all the fun - all teaching and interaction, little paperwork or dealing with behavior issues. It's also part time so I can take a break, more or less, whenever I want.

 

If you try it, you'll know fairly quickly if it's for you or not. I started it to earn money when hubby started his own engineering business. I kept with it because I loved it. Now, with the economy down and my own boys heading off to start college, the money will matter again (and I might take a long term sub position). By the way, I'll be starting my 11th year in a couple of weeks.