Loans, Work Study, and Living Expenses

SallyNYU
Sun, 12 Sep 2010 09:24:52 +0000

OP, I am sure you have figured all of this out by now but I ran into your post and thought I would bring it to life. I am currently pursuing my MSW (Advanced Standing program) at NYU. In my financial aid package I was given a very large scholarship (almsot half), loans and a work study ($3,000 with possibility for increase). I know exactly what you are going through, trying to keep your loans down but still keep good grades and be involved on campus. I am from Florida, so I went the student housing route (way overpriced, but my only option since I didnt know any other students in NY). I am going back and forth with keeping my work study. The idea of knocking $3,000 off my tuition sounds really nice, if I put all my earned money to my loan. But, I am more worried about my available time!!! MSW programs are very demanding. My course load is very similar to a 2nd year MSW student. I have a internship on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 8-3 (working for free!!), classes on friday and saturday and I am TRYING/CONSIDERING a work study on Thursday and Friday. That leaves me with NO spare time to do assignments except Sunday and week nights. I assume by now you have determined that work study money does not have to be spent in one semester. For example, if they granted you $4,000… that money does not have be used $2,000 each semester… instead you could work $3,000 worth one semester and $1,000 worth the next semester. You have a full year to use up your work study money (or for you, they granted you 3 semesters). I assume your work study was higher because you did not recieve a scholarship.

I am wondering… this post was written a year ago. So, where are you now? Did you take the work study placement? How do you feel it effected your classwork and performance in the classroom? Did you stay at home? How do you feel about your work study?