Do you take out student loans for living expenses? I usually just use Grants and Scholarships, and still get a lot of money back. My very first semester I also took out a Sub. Stafford loan and bought a laptop. Now, we are doing our fin. aid for the Fall. Between DH and I we will be taking 8 courses. His are paid in full by the military, mine will be covered by the Grants. The school is also offering me $2,500.00 in another Sub. Stafford loan. My advisor actually thinks its a good idea because I wont be able to work often, and it could cushion us/help us pay off some bills.

Have you ever done this? Do you regret your "unneeded school loans"??

__________________
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

My dh did not work at all when he went back to school. So, yeah ,his school was all paid for my grants and scholarships, but the student loans allowed us to live!!! I also used student loans for rent when I was a single student. I worked for the other living expenses.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Yes, both DH and myself took out beyond tuition and books for our loans. Do I regret it? Well, I regret that I have so many loans to pay off! LOL But I believe I did what was best at the time. DS1 has had a difficult medical history and the extra loans allowed me to focus more on him than on working 40 hours a week plus go to school.

I think that it all depends on your situation. I had never actually thought of doing that but it does sound like a good idea especially if the adivsor suggested. Take advantage while you can!!!

__________________

I did and I totally regret it. I should have been able to finish grad school on just scholarships and my own money, but I used the loans so I would have money for other things (new car, clothes, etc) Luckily it was the only loan I took and it is only 80 a month, but that would be 80 more I would have now

Lexie/katies mom

I feel your pain, dh & I are both in school part time I work part time & dh works 50 hours a week, in his degree area...(he is finishing up his grad).

Every semester we take out the same amount EXTRA 4,000 between the both of us. We buy our books at the beginning of the semester, which is normally like 500.00 and then we do a very ODD thing with the other money.

We buy gift certificates to things that we need for school example: last semester 1500 in gas cards becucause we go to a university that is 25 miles from our house and we use those, we go "school clothes" shopping and get what we need as far as "School supplies" is about another 500.00

Then we advance pay our rent on our townhouse by a semester worth or try..... our state PA requires that for any school loan it is ear marked for approved school things... like we have to keep a copy of all our stuff to turn into our school and it must be approved school related expense.... we started this when we got married 2 years ago and we have occured an extra 16,000 of debt but I figure school loans are not considered BAD debt and it has helped uto to actually FINISH our degree

ALSO *WHAT ARE YOU AND DH GOING TO SCHOOL FOR*??????? if it is medical or education they have VERY good tuition remibursment programs......... I know that becuase I am in education I will be eligable for like 1500 loan repayment every year from the school I THINK IT IS WORTH IT !!!****

__________________

Interesting. When I was going to school a few years ago, I was inquiring about my check for my student loan because I was depending on that money, and I was told plainly by the school's processing office that that money is NOT for anything but school expenses. Well, I've been spending $200 per book (which in itself is ridiculous) of my own money - don't you think I have a reason to need the money? Has anyone else ever been told that?

__________________
Make someone's heart smile today.

The school that I attend doesnt tell you what the money can go to, but I know a friend who goes to another school and they make her produce reciepts. To me, books are school related (obviously) but also, cant you say your mortgage is your housing? If I am in school and I cant work, a loan pays my mortgage.

I think I am going to take out the loan this coming semester. I really want to finish school, and not be away from my kids (working) so, it will probably be used as my "income".

__________________
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”