Feeling Hopeless: Where can I get college funding if I'm on SSDI and have a B.A.?

Please make suggestions.

Here's the long version if you want it:
I am looking for an employment network or organization in Boston or Cambridge that might be able to help me pay for a couple semesters of college. I already have a liberal arts BA that's of practically no use finding a job. However, that BA makes me ineligible for tuition waivers by MA Dept. of Education. I also used up ALL other sources of traditional financial aid (including Stafford Loans, Pell Grants, etc.) getting that essentially useless degree.

(I did that because I was only 16 and emancipated when I went to college the first time. I was in an unadopted foster child and knew practically no one in college. My misunderstanding was that all colleges cost the same amount, and that college was a good investment. Worse yet, I was mis-advised that what you major in did NOT matter and all that mattered is that you got a degree... I actually asked everyone I knew and all of my advisers and got this bad advice. Anyway back to my current situation...)

I'm feeling hopeless. Like I said, I am on Social Security Disability and would like to go back to college to get training for a job so I can return to work.

(I called Mass Rehab, but they said they only offer up to $2500 a year in assistance per person. I'm pretty sure that that will not cover the cost of a semester's worth of classes.)

Where can I get college funding if I'm on SSDI and already have a (useless) bachelor's degree? Your suggestions/ideas please.

I would contact Vocational Rehab or also called the Department/Bureau of Rehabilitation Services in some states. They can help with a retraining plan to help find a new career, which also includes paying for education if that is required for you to get you started and throughout your education towards retraining in your new path. They can also help find additional scholarships and other hidden monies in places. Talking too with the financial aid offices, there are always hidden grants and scholarships out there, especially in the field you go into, it is just a matter of finding them.

I hear and know your frustration with going back to school with financial aid and not being able to get it later when changing to another degree for reeducation and retraining. I ran into this too. Voc Rehab helped. Good luck in your pursuit and in your education! Hang in there!

Like you, I had a B.A. that didn't really equip me for anything in the job market. I ended up going back to a community college for an A.S. in something practical (healthcare.) It was pretty inexpensive. That was over 15 years ago, and I know that even community colleges aren't as affordable as they used to be. But $2500 might go pretty far in a technical type college . . . or not. It has gotten to where training that reliably leads to employment is hard to get into . . . you end up on a waiting list.

You mention wanting to do "a couple of semesters of college." Were you thinking of graduate work, building on your B.A. (which is awfully expensive,) or something else at the undergraduate level?

You've probably seen advertisements on TV for those private schools that do technical/vocational training. They are good at helping you get a loan, but their tuition is awfully high.

You might also try thinking more positively. It's probably not helping you to keep telling yourself that the education you already have is useless. If you could get your foot in the door someplace at a job you are overqualified for, you might find that you could advance thanks to being an educated person. (I am thinking of, like, something in retail that might lead to a management position.) I do realize that strategy would work a lot better in a stronger economy.

Thanks but I already called Mass Rehab and the financial aid office of one school and here's what happened:

Mass Rehab: I called them and they told me that since I already have a B.A., the MOST they might be able to provide would be $2500 a year. They mentioned NOTHING about helping me find other sources. The call ended with something like, "That's all we have. Good luck to you (indifferent rushed tone). Bye."

Financial Aid office: "Your assigned adviser is on maternity leave and wont be back for at least a month. In the meantime send your questions to the department's general email address. (Where you don't know who you're talking to because they don't sign their names. And because different people answer those emails, no one ever knows my case.) Most recent reply to me, "I see you need a lot of funding, but we have nothing for you." Me: "Can you suggest a place to look for college funding?" Financial Aid: "(in an impatient and rude tone) Like we already said, we have NOTHING. You'll have to look elsewhere." I forwarded that conversation to the dean of Financial Aid and asked if he can answer my question seems how I got a rude response that ignored my question. He, in turn, forwarded my conversation to a supervisor in Financial Aid several days ago. So far, I've heard nothing from that supervisor.

No matter what I do, I'm hitting a brick wall.

Do you have any work history at all that you might possibly build on?

What is your desired job? Are you looking for technical training for electrical, heating and cooling, CAD or welding or something totally different? Do you even know what kind of work you would like to do yet? Would you be interested in healthcare perhaps working as a nurse, physicians' assistant, or perfusionist or something similar?

You might be able to find someone to sponsor you depending on your choice of job. For example, the hospital where I worked sponsors people to receive education to become RN and after you graduate you have to work X number of years at their hospital.

Most people go to grad school on loans. Are you really absolutely certain that you are not eligible for loans for grad school? There are limitations on loans, I realize, but I am not sure that it carries over from undergrad to grad. You are staring a new degree at a higher level. I would double check about standard financial aid that everyone is eligible for since it is only based on need. It's loans so you will have to pay lots back, but that's how most people do it.

Most colleges and universities have co-op programs, I would suggest looking into co-op programs. They pay a descent amount for stem jobs, I'm not sure about Liberal Arts programs. Perhaps you could also try teaching while going to the University as well? I think you might have the requirement with that B.A of yours.

Thanks for your responses. Here's the answers to your questions: My short term goal is to take additional science and math courses so I can tutor more people from home and make more money. My medium term goal is to prove to graduate programs (and admissions committees) that I can handle the rigor of their work. I've been advised to take more than a full semester of classes all at one time to prove this. So, I would like to take more than 12 credits, and ideally much more than 12 credits. Per admissions, all I need is one semester for this "proof." My long term goal is to settle into a decent-paying career that has plenty of jobs available (not an oversaturated field). I believe that I can find a career like this after going through a graduate program. (I do actually have a specific career and graduate program in mind and hope it works out.)

Given this information, do you have any additional suggestions that could help me financially or otherwise? I'm still interested in hearing more responses to the questions in the OP.

There was a post on here about a year ago.... This woman wanted to go back to school while on SSDI and she was told if she capable of taking college classes then she would be considered able to work and her SSDI would stop..

Might be something to look into...

Thanks for informing me. I looked into it and it seems like it depends on the situation.

Can I Start School Full Time While on Disability? | Disability Secrets

In my case, I'll get disability accommodations so that I can do most of the coursework from home. I may only need to show up when there's a midterm or final - and they might schedule a special time and place for me. I think if I told SSDI this and informed them that I pre-studied all of the class material by listening to audiobooks, they'll be okay with it.