Starting MBA in a few weeks, now what?

Question

I have no idea where to start in regards to student loans. As a college student, I went to a state school and was able to work and pay it all off as I was attending. Now, I do not know where to go for help with my $88,000+ upcoming tuition for USC. What are the best rates? Where should I be looking? Mulitiple loans? Private or federal? 
Any advice and help would be great. Thank you!

Answer 1

youdontkillmoney wrote:
I went to USC for my undrgraduate degree, Bachelor's in economics. I took out public and private loans, grants, parents helped some. I was probably maybe $50K in debt.I went to Cal State LA for my Masters in economics immediately thereafter, then 6 years later my MBA at Cal State LA; mostly because tuition was cheaper at State universities....maybe $1300 a quarter or $5,200 a year. I worked part time teaching economics at a community college and other colleges to pay for my MBA, so no debt. It worked out for me, make $120,000 (potential in current position is $140K), teach econ part time for maybe $10k-$20k a year depending how much I take on. Zero student loan debt, probably paid that off ten years ago (am 41) since I don't see any student loan debt on my credit file. The point is, USC is a good school, esp. if you stay local in So Cal networkwise; my coworker started off as an analyst here too, she went to USC, I went to Cal State LA for my MBA; she is stil an analyst ten years later, I am a manager. I think you'll enjoy time time at USC, but you will pay for it and having a lot of debt will delay life events (wedding, home, vacations, etc) due to money issues/debt....unless you choose a specialty wisely as an MBA, and able to secure a good paying job, do not expect $100,000+; expect more like $50K-$75K starting salary. My organization by the way pays tuition reimbursements, I think $30,000 a year, yes very generous and unusual.....I can go back to school and get anothe rmaster's or PhD and take one class at a time, but the psychic costs of studying, it huts my brain, papers, reading and more reading, prpblem solving, I do not have the stomach for anymore, so like someone else said on here, if you can find a job with your degree now, maybe an employer will help foot the tution. Or is the job market tough and you'd want to get an MA to be more competitive, So those are the options for funding your MBA: (1) borrow money with consequences (2) go to a cheaper school -- I did, and I did okay (3) don't go (4) find a job that'll pay for it and defer enrollment for a year until you do  I would love to find a position that pays into my tuition. Once I figure out the time commitment needed for school, I will definitely be looking for an analyst position like the one I am in now closer to school. Hopefully it all works out... Thank you for your advice and information.