It's a start...use it, then see where you can go from there. Don't sit back and complain...make it happen! I know it's frustrating, been there done that...still paying back the student loans. I also managed to pay hour by hour to get all my ratings and such, like several others have mentioned.

Just curious...If you already have a BS, why are you going back for an aviation degree anyway? Work on the flight portion.

 

Ha ha! Whatever I've worked in an inner city ER and I don't have any sympathy for these fools.

 

I've only gotten the AAS so far. The main reason I was going to attend college was for the government assistance. I'm going to turn down the assistance and just pay hour by hour as you mentioned. I have a co-worker starting on his second year at college. The second year is when he gets his instructor cert. Might just hire him when he completes.

I worked at a grocery store for 7 years and seen plenty of government freeloaders. There would be people who would get their monthly food allowance and buy whole ribeyes and beef tenderloins. I wasn't saying that I was wanting a free ride. Okay, I guess maybe I was hoping that I would. It just angers me that there are so many people abusing it, and so many people who "deserve" it are turned down.

 

Oh do I understand...trust me. Problem is...there's really nothing you can do about it. If I were you, I'd take whatever free money you can get...some is better than none correct? I was under the assumption that you had a BS, not just the AAS...my apologies...definitely get that BS complete.

Life in todays world isn't exactly easy. Ask anyone who's had to work for their dreams. Almost every pilot on here has lived the broke life...and many still do. While I'm not a professional pilot, I am in a field that takes just as much out of you emotionally, mentally and even more so financially. It's hard to balance family and career, while trying to advance your education. Many have done it through hard work and determination. There are those who will say your crazy, or you shouldn't do this or that...many speak out of jealousy, some out of ignorance. Whatever their reasoning, ignore them. While it's a hard road, it's more often than not that hard road that makes your dreams worth so much more when they finally come true...because you will know that YOU earned them. Your children will realize this when they are older. It may seem so far off now, but eventually it will happen. I never could have dreamed that I'd oneday be so close to being a Dr. There are people in my class who had a vet clinic pay their way...or because mom/dad were vets they are here on their parents money. I did this because it's what I wanted to do, and I know I've earned it. It feels much better.

 

Jenn,

Hang in there! You've chosen a career that's as tough as they come. I was surprised to learn that Vet school is harder to get into and finish than medical school, how little the average Vet earns, and how physically demanding the job is. Despite all that, my girlfriend loves her career. No one should even start down the road of commercial flying OR veterinary medicine unless their heart is really in it.

 

Just save anyone from getting in trouble.

 

Tom...I'm so glad I decided to pursue the career I did. To be honest, I wasn't going to use veterinary medicine as my main career, I wanted to go airlines. However, today...after months of medical problems they finally gave me a diagnosis...and it's one of the 15 medical killers. I may be able to fight for a third, but I'll never hold a first or second. It's the one thing a pilot never wants to hear...but I'm blessed. I had a back up plan, and I married one hell of a man. He's stuck by me every second of the way...and even if I can't hold a medical, he's a pilot...if I can keep one, I'll never fly by myself. Thanks so much for the support Tom...best of luck to your girlfriend. It's so incredibly rewarding.

 

"Yes I have a computer repair degree. I graduated just a few months before 9/11. I relocated to a larger city to get a job in my field, but they couldn't afford to give me the raise increase that was promised. With cost of living so high in larger cities (which I'm sure alot of you know). I moved back home to my small town living. Not much need for a computer tech around here. Starting pay for a computer tech is 9 bucks an hour. So forgive me for not jumping at the chance to give up my warehouse job where I make 16 to sit in an office."


Hey there, if your married and have a son and make $16/hr. with a degree then there is something wrong here. If you are looking for better income go work construction! Dont laugh, you'll make much more and you can probably get some money under the table to make your income look lower than actual if thats part of your problem. I am from the Boston area and average pay is around $25/hr. I humped shinlges up ladders, framed houses in the winter and banged nails for 10 years and made great money with no degree while paying a mortgage, supporting my wife and having a baby girl while working my way through the aviation ratings. I knew carpentry was not my passion, but is paid the bills and kept me in great shape too. Dont waste your time with your current position, sounds like your treading water. If you really want to be a pilot youll find a way and make the sacrifices necessary to achieve it. Its hard work but it pays! If you own a house, get an equity line of credit. Best rates available. If your afraid of hard work then just ignore this post.