Welcome to Gaia! ::

I’m looking for some advice. Knowing people here have a fairly good head on their shoulders, if not a bit odd, eccentric, fun and just plain silly. I would like to hear opinions on this.

After June 13th I will have obtained my first degree, an A.A. in Sociology from the local community college. This accomplishment is one step in my goals of getting my Bachelors in the same field. I have less than one year and I should have said degree. If I push it I could have one in Soc., as well as one in Spanish and a minor in Psych. I have a fair amount of credit hours under my belt.

This is the predicament. I own the school I went to for my first attempt at a Bachelor degree a large amount of money. This school will not release my transcripts until the debt is paid. Fair enough. This has stopped me from enrolling in another institution as they require an official copy.

My options are:
• Find a job and pay off debt the good ole fashioned way. Blood.
• Petition for readmission to the previous school part-time and have my federal aid help pay off said debt.
• Combo of aforementioned
• Beg, plead, and sell my body, soul, and other such nonsense to family, friends, and demonic entities yet to be named?

So far I’ve applied for 10 different positions within two states and three, make that four, cities. I think I’m considered an out of state student, from Ohio, now because I lived in Florida for a little over a year.

Advice, opinions, jests, jeers?

I wish I had a golden answer for you, seeing as you helped me realize my own academic path- and it would be nice to return the favor.

Student debt is a nasty thing, and having your transcripts held hostage is not pleasant. Is there a possibility of finding a job that can reimburse your tuition. If you have your associates it will open a lot of doors for your career wise. Although no degree guarantees employment, with each level of degree new possibilities arise. Things like Paraprofessionals, for example, are open to you the moment you complete an associates or bachelors level. Sometimes it doesn't have to be in a related field.

It's worth checking into is nothing else. Find a company that will work with you and your education and you can go far. I know that your intelligence and your passion for learning a plenty strong to carry you through once you work out the debt situation with your previous school.

Best Wishes,
-Antonia/Amanda-

I too think the combo would be the best option for you.

Unless, of course, you want me to consult Lord Baphomet and get back to you. stare

Yes it was a typo. If I owned the school I wouldn't have this issue. sweatdrop

I have student loan debt that I'm not too worried about. This debt is to the school directly for housing that wasn't covered while I was attending. I'm just worried when the two debts attack at the same time. Which is within the next two months or so. That is unless I can get a differment.

if the federal aid pays enough to eliminate the debt and maybe study a few courses you could get convalidated at the school you want ot get your BA in, it might be a good idea to go in there full and do a few of the courses you need for your minors.. it really all depends on how mmuch that aid covers..