I'm going back to grad school after a few years in the real world. I don't have any money saved. Will I be able to afford to go to school full time and train off of student loans?
I'm going back to grad school after a few years in the real world. I don't have any money saved. Will I be able to afford to go to school full time and train off of student loans?
If you have a stipend in addition to loans, yes. If you don't, you probably still can, but you will probably have to do without a few of the bells and whistles you might have enjoyed with a higher income. On the other hand, this might be offset by more free time than you had before. I don't know. Try it and see. I don't know why I even answered this asininely vague question.
What's the degree program? PhD, MBA, MS, MA...? If you're in science, you shouldn't have to pay a dime and should get money to go to any respectable program. If you're in another program, you should still be able to get "ok" money for a PhD stipend, MA/MS are a bit trickier and you'll probably have to take out loans (gov't, don't do private). Also, you wouldn't have to pay any outstanding loans off while you're in school, if you have them, which is good. I think the grad school environment is condusive to running, as long as you do it during lunch or in the evening. Just be sure to eliminate stuff you don't need (TV, cell phone, car/car insurance if there is public transit or you can walk). Also, be sure to get a smaller place to live or live with another like-minded grad student that is serious.