Anybody On Disability Take Advantage Of Free Tuition?

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone else on SSDI has taken advantage of free tuition programs. In Maryland I can take 6 credits a semester for free, or up to 12 if I'm in a degree program. This is at the community college level.

I believe I need to fill out the FAFSA, so the earliest I can take any classes is this summer.

Thanks,
SOL

 

[Barberian]

I took advantage of free veterans education benies for a short while, but I couldn't deal with being "out there" in society and had to quit. I'm looking fwd to being able to return to college someday(tm).

 

[Lionheart]

I went to a two-year technical college while disabled and although my grades were high enough to get me in the honor society, and I qualified for grants, it took me four years to complete the course because I had a CFS relapse.

This is all well and good except no one told me that the grant money would run out before I would be able to finish. The end result is that I am in debt for something like $13,000 bucks for an education I can't use because I am still disabled and can't return to work. :(

I had talked to the dean of the college and asked for extra time to complete my degree and she agreed that it would be okay for me to take extra time, but she did not explain about the grant money running out after a certain period of time. People need to be made aware of these things, ya know? lol

Still, I don't regret it because if I am someday able to return to work, I will have a new career that does not require hard physical labor and the best part, in my opinion, is I learned that I am no dummy. hahahahaha :)

 

[TheLost]

Im in the UK and because I get Incapacity benefit, I get free education with the Open University. Im currently studying towards a cert, in legal studies which leads to a diploma in criminology and psychological studies and eventually a degree in that. Its good as its the only way I can get qualifications as I cant go to the normal university....I did try but I cant be with that many people or turn up every day. I think myself very lucky to get these opportunities, as I can still fulfil my potential somehow. I think its a good thing for pTSD sufferers to do as it gives a sense of achievment and lets you know you can do something worthwhile and gives you a boost.

 

[Eleanor]

I took advantage of free veterans education benies for a short while, but I couldn't deal with being "out there" in society and had to quit. I'm looking fwd to being able to return to college someday(tm).

Barberian, you might look into online programs - some are quite good nowadays....As with everything in higher ed - you have to do some digging to find out what is worth doing, but it might be a way to move forward as you get ready to get "out there" again!

 

[EloiseLandau]

I do. I'm in NY and I go to class part time. I'm earning a BS in Biology at the age of 35. Filled out FAFSA and everything. I am also looking at Grad school, at the Immunology and Microbiology programs

 

[Deleted member 1860]

How do you get higher levels of education? Right now I've only been able to find free community college classes.

 

[EloiseLandau]

Being on disability and FAFSA seems to give a greater margin of grants and scholarships, I think. I have some loans but they are relatively small in comparison to what the rest of tuition and whatnot would be.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Ahhhh, ok. Thanks for explaining.