Girlfriends Debt

Who is to decide what's useful? My daughter got BA in English and was told by many it's useless unless one wants to teach ( she didnt), she put it to great use though having career in something she really enjoys and she is working on masters in the field of her choice which is a spin off of her original degree, but not exact. But she put in to great use. Glad she did not listen.

Also not everyone knows early on what they want for career. I was lucky I knew at age 6. But many don't know right away.

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Switching from theatre was a good move, so acknowledge that. She realized that a pricey theatre degree would not benefit her future. She is right about that. I'm assuming that she is the usual undergraduate age, like 18-20? It's tough to know what you want to do with your life at that age. Psychology as an undergraduate is a "worthless" degree on its own. I say that because with all helping field degrees, you have to get advanced degrees to do anything. I know someone with a psych degree from a very expensive private college that manages a pizza place now.

So - she can stick with the poly sci major for undergrad and get graduate degrees in psych if she chooses. In the last few years psych has changed and she can go right from undergrad into a 4 year PhD program for psychology. Back when I considered it you had to get a masters and then a PhD unless you found a dual program which was tougher. At this point, she probably hasn't wasted much $$, if any, because some of those theatre classes can count as electives. How close is she to finishing the poly sci degree? My opinion as a licensed graduate level professional working in mental health - poly sci is a great foundation for later work in the helping field because even with a psychology or counseling or social work degree she might decided to combine her two interests and do something like lobbying, policy work, working with a national organization such as NAMI, Active Minds, National Foundation for Suicide Prevention, etc. There are ways to combine those two interests, that doesn't including changing a major. Undergraduate work is really just a stepping stone, plenty of people get undergrad degrees in one thing and advanced degrees in another. Also what does she want to actually DO with that psych degree? Psychologists in my area typically do testing and work for hospitals doing research studies and teaching, most of the people that do counseling/therapy are social workers and counselors.

Also keep in mind that in the helping field, she may qualify for loan forgiveness. I have to do two years post-grad supervision and then if I work full time for a year in a place that needs people with my type of license all my debt is erased. I'm sure there's something similar for psychology. I live in a state that is in desperate need of people in the helping field though.

I noticed that you attended "little" college, does it mean you never graduated with a degree ? Could be that it effects your opinion on the whole thing? Do you plan on ever going back to school? Also keep in mind if she manages to not take loans for undergrad, it is very likely she'll need to take loans for grad school. Now you mentioned planning on having a family soon? Is there a big age difference? Why rushing if she is still in undergrad? How old is she?

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I applaud you for trying to be helpful! Both of my son-in-laws married my girls with student loans...great men in my opinion. Maybe you could try and understand your "fear" of debt? I mean really, it IS the way it is, in this day and age. You're going to buy a house and have a mortgage...well that will be substantial debt too. At some point, if things go well for you, you can refinance that mortgage to include the student debt, at a lower interest rate.
One more thing...if you think college is expensive, just wait until you have children...lol ...they cost a fortune, but like an education, are SO WORTH IT. Big hug for you and your gf......believe it or not, things WILL work out. especially, and only, it you keep the lines of communication open at all times.