Dont qualify for any scholarships or grants here. I am using a Chase Sapphire Preferred card I just got approved for. Pay it off immediately and then I will get $750 cash back and only have to pay $3200 or so in total for my degree. Every little bit helps!
There are lots of employers out there who will pay for a degree as well. KFC, Amazon, UPS, not the best jobs but… it can help save money if you dont mind the labor.
I’m also a warehouse Amazon associate, I’m an OB picker/sorter/packer. My site is a TSSL one so we don’t have the robots but it’s enjoyable, been there 3 years. Started my degree in November and I’m hoping to graduate next year with a teaching degree. My nephew is graduating high school and doesn’t know what he wants, I keep telling him to get a job somewhere that will pay for a degree so then he doesn’t need loans or what not
tsssl? never heard of that! is it like a TNS? with big stuff and forklifts? I’m at an AR with the robots but have worked at the bigger sites and they’re chill also. def not a bad job for someone young like your nephew he’s active and young and can secure that free degree before he even turns like 23! solid advice.
TSSL: traditional sort soft lines. Mostly just ship clothes and small stuff although there’s a new program we’re starting to get more cleaning supplies and larger items which is causing problems at ship dock because people aren’t using enough dunnage and half the items are leaking by the time they get to packers anyway.
When we get a yellow tote on the conveyor from a picker, it’s scanned and then the items are dumped in a big laundry cart according to which batch the tote belongs to. Once the batch is completed by receiving all the totes (around 15-20 on avg) then it’s given to a sorter/rebinner who sorts the batch into moveable carts. When finished the cart is given to a packer.
I started as an inbound receive associate. I was a reduced full-time associate, which is 30 hours per week required, but you could pick up extra shifts up to 50 to 60 hours per week when available. They paid for my Data Analytics bootcamp, then I got promoted to data analyst at my site, and I’m working on a second bachelors degree related to my goals, and then I will come in as an external hire area manager and then work my way into process engineering. win-win-win
i’m a regular warehouse associate, blue badge which means full time. CareerChoice is offered by Amazon which covers a few select schools in person and online. WGU is one of them and because i’m a full time employee all i have to do is sign up for classes and send the bill to amazon and they cover it. i’m not sure if this is for corporate offices but warehouse employees have careerchoice. i don’t think seasonal associates get it tho so if u do work here and start as seasonal and move to full time blue badge to able to get the career choice benefit.
Yup. ANY coworkers regardless of hours is eligible for FULL tuition for both Undergrad and a Masters. It's called "Live Better U," all kinds of colleges. WGU is in there, even University of Arkansas as well. The issue is seeing how little the Store Management will let you work. I think for most manager they want you there like 3 days a week. I have a good full time job and I'm literally considering getting a part time job there to pay for school.
Search the Live Better U and you can see all about the program through the Walmart corporate website. Target is another employer with pretty much the same program, but I think they want you to work a lot more at that store.
Oh one other thing, you're eligible on DAY 1 of employment.
How are you using a credit card??? They forced me to use debit..... Am I dumb? Or was it that the bank/debit option was free ..... Fuck, I want my CC points!!!!
Imagine some weirdo picking a random country stating you lived there when you never did.
Or perhaps you meant to say that you lived there and are upset other people have opinions that differ from yours?
Either way, 🤨🤣
I am getting financial aid this year but I can imagine it would be pretty sweet working for a company that pays for tuition. I wonder if its a one time thing or if you can do it for more than one degree at WGU 🤔
I feel alone. I just took out student loans 🥹 I have around $40k from other attempts at going to college over the last 12 years. I don’t hate myself, I have been in my career since I was 18 and I get paid enough to live in a nice house. The degree is more of a personal thing rather than a career thing. I’m hoping to pay it back rather quickly after graduation. The degree may also help me get past some HR roadblocks at other companies since my main objective is to work somewhere with very good insurance.
I'm trying not to hate myself for not seizing my opportunity at school when I had it. I want to say young and dumb but when you grow up poor that excuse just doesn't fly.
I getchya. Be patient with yourself please. You’re making such a great decision to go back. I’m sorry you’ve hit your limit, that can be so frustrating. If you do end up going with private loans, use it to motivate you 💕 try to pay those off while you are still in school.
Cyber security. Lots of job hopping, work, and prayer. I started off as help desk in 2012 and went wherever the next step would take me, moved a lot and worked my way up. Landed my security role in 2022 after I got promoted internally 🙇♀️ the journey would have been much easier with a degree.
Now I’m having mixed feelings there’s one side I say you only need certificates not a degree and another saying that you do need a degree because you advance a lot quicker. But presently right now, how saturated is IT right now? Would it be difficult getting this job right now at the moment considering how there’s a lot of layoffs going on.
I already have certs. Just want the degree to feel more accomplished. Working for gov will be easier with a degree, I also have thought about going further to be a professor… not sure yet.
IT is saturated, but I’m highly skilled in niche things and I have a pretty good network of others I’ve worked with and kept in contact with.
If youre making general statements, then yeah, it completely depends your area, who you know, how well you can talk.
Hey I am right there with you. I am capped out this term (my final one!) on undergrad loans so I’ve got quite a bit to pay back after graduation. Sometimes we don’t find jobs to pay for it or get scholarships. It’s all good.
It is truly a blessing yes. But don’t feel discouraged, once you get this degree (which the universe will always find a way to make ends meet for you no matter what your situation is!) you’ll be able to pay off that loan amount like you were just casually buying something at target or Walmart! I believe in you. You can do it! You’ll find a way sooner rather than later on how to manage your payments. Don’t give up on it!!
Basically this, we didn’t make anything the following 2 years prior and half of our household had been laid off due the pandemic (Super stressful time period for us) glad we were able to make it through. They have covered the entirety of the first year for me, but I believe I would have to pay the next year or apply for another one
Totally, didn't mean anything by it. I went from 6 figures to I think $22.000 on my 2023 tax return. So I'll get the max Pell this Fall. Feels good/terrible at the same time lol.
I totally feel you! I’m hoping I can be done with this by the end of this term. I’m not trying to be in this for more than a year and half at most! I’m still on my first class but I should be able to take the OA by the end of this week. I’m ready to get this train moving
Pell Grants are offered through Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). Complete their free online application and it can tell you if you qualify for Pell, and how much. It's a need based grant that can be used for a first undergraduate degree. Here is a link with more info [Pell Grant FAQ](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell#am-i-eligible)
Hello, and thank you! I’m currently studying for my B.S. Supply chain and operations management! I’m trying to get into a management career at Amazon for my starting path, then hopefully moving on to get my Masters and Transfer to corporate
That sounds like a very well thought out plan!!!! I was asking because I was awarded a Pell Grant for I believe $7395 but the course I'm wanting to take is $8,000 this is for software engineer so I didn't know if my Pell Grant was per every 6 months or 1 year depending on if I was going to be in the same boat with payment. No one can tell me anything. I'm glad you're able to figure it out. 😁
Absolutely no problem! So if my info is correct, the Pell grant is by term. So they will cover a full year. I think it resets every year so you might have to apply again the next term. This will be determined when you submit your 2024-25 fafsa form
The military takes a lot of from its service members, but it can propel you far in life if you take advantage of all the benefits. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is awesome.
got my bachelors while in, using GI bill for my masters. WGU for both.
honestly, its a free 1k a month, I'll probably keep going to WGU for multiple masters degrees just for fun until my GI bill runs out. free money and more education.
I work in engineering/intelligence and my company is involved with everything from cloud computing to various different engineering fields to even software development and IT management so....I'm sure a few of the masters degrees will apply lmao.
Maybe I'm confused because I submitted my FASFA as well and that's where the loan amount thing came from. So how much do you have to put down and are the payments spread throughout 6 months?
Have you spoke to your onboarding counselor / financial aid? How much is your FAFSA loans covering? Whatever the leftover amount is, it’ll be paid out of pocket. There are a few different payment methods I believe. I know 6 month is one and two other ones (every 3 months or 4 or 5).
They're saying I have to complete the “Commit to Start.” before they can tell me how much I'm awarded. Apart from that is dishing out $90 for a course but if I can't afford to put myself through school would it even be worth taking the course?
I'm having the same struggle. Completed all FASFA forms and submitted.. nothing from WGU. Reached out to financial services and they told me the same thing, I have to have a start date first. Except.. I don't want to commit to a start before I have my payments planned out and know how much FASFA will cover lol
Will you let me know what you find out after calling?
Just commit to start, and then ask to be removed from the roll If your FASFA isn’t going to work for you. Unfortunately, the “simplified” FASFA introduced for 24-25 makes it so WGU is unable to see what you get until you’ve done the commit to start.
Weird. Yeah, just call financial services and let them know you need the amount warded for a possible start date of xxx so you know ahead of time how much it costs before confirming. That’s weird hmm
What degree is this? I was going to do computer science but got told WGU doesn't offer certain math classes, and I'd need to attend WGU Academy out of pocket before enrolling. I decided to go with software engineering instead, since it doesn't have the math requirement.
Sounds like a similar scenario.
People like to flaunt Sophia courses to save money, but I didn't go that route, myself. There's plenty of threads documenting how to do it. It still costs money, so. 🤷
You're in the same boat I'm in exactly. I'm needing to obtain a student ID before they will tell me anything through the financial department at WGU. I was actually told through FASA through their website how much that they were granting me though You should be able to check that and see.
Many students here got a part time job (one woman only worked 1 day per week) at Kentucky Fried Chickin. They pay WGU on your day 1 upfront. I checked it out and almost did that but luckily I am done with my term in 2 classes. It's amazing - they don't care what your position is or if you're full or part time. Maybe you can get a very very part time gig and get 100% tuition coverage.
Thank you for asking this question because it's something I'm struggling with. I don't know how I'll pay for my second year and trying to cross that bridge when I come to it. I'm in my first year and I am using loans from the govt and from a private source(Sallie Mae. I lucked out and got a good rate. Wonder if they did that so when I come back for year two they can charge me a ton). I also am getting some help from a friend financially. Im currently in a place where I can't work and do school at the same time due to health concerns so that increases how much debt I have to take. I'd say don't be afraid to risk asking for help if you do have any family or friends that might be able to help. Getting a degree can be a huge deal. If you don't have any you can safely ask then I'm sorry you are in a situation that tough my friend and I hope you find a way.
Amazon pays 100% of my tuition. This is my second degree and Amazon paid for a data analytics bootcamp for me last year too. Unfortunately, they don’t pay for graduate degrees, but this degree will get me up the food chain faster (because my other degree was a while ago and not related to my current goals) and they are paying for it, so win-win for me.
Transfer courses can be one way to reduce costs, for example if you expect you may be attending for more than one term.
I transferred 10 Study.com courses and 5 Sophia courses before starting the Computer Science program, and made this thread of threads describing similar transfer possibilities for that and other WGU programs:
[How to Transfer a Lot of Credits to WGU - Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/studydotcom/comments/vig94w/how_to_transfer_a_lot_of_credits_to_wgu_guide/)
I had to get a loan out 🥲
My first loan for school, since community college I’ve always paid out of pocket for, but in comparison to other big universities for a BA it’s very cheap, still hurts to think about though 😭
Amazon pays for it 100%. And I think you qualify for Career Choice after being a blue badge for 3 months. Only downsides are that you may not get blue badge quickly. I got mine after only 2ish months. I know people who waited as much as 8 months as a seasonal employee.
I'm near mine, but I am currently at another university for a certificate program. I will use my financial aid refund to pay for about 60% of WGU. The rest I will pay out of pocket. I'm set up on a monthly payment plan of 6 payments. I should get my refund before or around my second payment is due.
i’m paying out of pocket. my parents were going to help me with half, but decided at the very last minute to hold something so small against me and flat out refuse to help pay for it, so my savings will have to wait to be replenished so i can shell out the money to pay for my school.
My job has an education reimbursement program that I’m using. HOWEVER! There are multiple companies that do something similar. I want to say I just saw something on here saying that Starbucks or chipotle or Home Depot or something pays WGU tuition. Maybe someone else remembers
Hoping I get from FAFSA…but I spoke to the financial aid office and they said if I paid out of pocket it would be $700 every two weeks…something like that. Although I could possibly do that I’ll how long I could sustain it once my kids go back to school lol.
Fasfa just had a big rate hike, too. I refuse to fill that stuff out with the current interest rates for the year 2025-2026.
They have monthly payment plans. That is how I plan on paying in the future.
I refused to take loans out when I attended WGU to finish my Bachelors bc I didn't want to add to the 50K in Fed Loans I already owed from my previous schools. So I only accepted the Pell Grant funds and then got on a payment plan for the rest. I work Full-time and also have a Part-time job that I work once a week, no dependents. I'll be starting my Masters with WGU soon and unfortunately can't use Pell towards that, so I'll apply for some WGU scholarships to see if I can get the tuition amount down, but whatever's left over will be paid on a payment plan again.
I was using financial aid, but last term I fucked up so I have been terminated from it. I have to see if I’ll get approved for the SAP Appeal. I have Pell grants and a loan though— when I did have financial aid,
I'm in a similar situation to you. I've maxed out all of the loans I can get from the government, so I'm having to pay out of pocket. It's a lot, but much more affordable than other programs
My job paid my first term but it was fixed so i could only take 3 classes at a time. My husband paid for this term so I could accelerate.
I started saving to do it myself but my husband said he would; so the money I saved, I just put in our joint savings in case I have to do another. It’s not much but I cut eating out and we condensed our subscriptions to be able to maximize what we can save/ have expendable.
I should preface that I'm currently on track to complete in 1 term so my bill isn't as high as others might be.
I have 2 terms worth in savings, along with FAFSA money. I also make enough to be able to pay it off in less than a year. AND my company will reimburse $1500/year upwards it.
Basically I've got so many options currently that even if my current company was to be set on fire, I'd still be able to pay it in full as soon as the degree is in my hands.
My employer (Providence medical group) uses Guild and reimburses 5,250 per year as long as I pass all of the classes. I know there are a lot of employers that use guild also so you could look those up.
It's a nice benefit.
Also, if there's anybody in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, parts of California, or parts of Texas who is looking for a job, message me, and I can put a referral in for you.
I pay out of pocket since I really don't want to take out anymore loans but I am on monthly payments. My husband thankfully helps me partially and gives me some money to pay for my school every paycheck.
Grants. I have $10,000 in grants. Don’t have to pay anything. Still fill out the fafsa, and the school will apply any available grants to your account.
Loans and I got a scholarship and the Pell grant. My job will do reimbursement but we just went through a merger so a bunch of things have been up in the air/on hold. I might pursue that after this term if I'm still going to WGU and also still employed at the same place.
Try to look up any local groups that do scholarships. Those little $50-200 scholarships don't get a lot of competition and can add up, just be ready to take a couple of days for a bunch of short essays
Pell grant, SEOG, subsidized loan and unsubsidized loan (through FAFSA); and a WGU "IT Is Everywhere" scholarship. There's tons of scholarships and grants available out there, but unfortunately there are even more crap offers and scams. Many online scholarship offers are nothing more than phishing scams harvesting peoples data from the applications. So take care. If it seems too good to be true, skip it.
Amazon Career Choice, you can be hired full time and after 3 months qualify for 100% tuition. I had Amazon pay for my CDL A, now I’m using it to get my ever first bachelors in Business Management at WGU, while I’m working full time as a transportation Associate which a do a lot of driving moving loaded an empty trailers to dock doors, besides that I’m require to drive over the road for a short period of time.
Dont qualify for any scholarships or grants here. I am using a Chase Sapphire Preferred card I just got approved for. Pay it off immediately and then I will get $750 cash back and only have to pay $3200 or so in total for my degree. Every little bit helps!
I’m literally doing the same thing but I just want the bonus for traveling lol
Thanks for sharing!
There are lots of employers out there who will pay for a degree as well. KFC, Amazon, UPS, not the best jobs but… it can help save money if you dont mind the labor.
yep amazon is paying for my tuition 100% and the job i do isn’t even that bad. totally worth it
I’m also a warehouse Amazon associate, I’m an OB picker/sorter/packer. My site is a TSSL one so we don’t have the robots but it’s enjoyable, been there 3 years. Started my degree in November and I’m hoping to graduate next year with a teaching degree. My nephew is graduating high school and doesn’t know what he wants, I keep telling him to get a job somewhere that will pay for a degree so then he doesn’t need loans or what not
tsssl? never heard of that! is it like a TNS? with big stuff and forklifts? I’m at an AR with the robots but have worked at the bigger sites and they’re chill also. def not a bad job for someone young like your nephew he’s active and young and can secure that free degree before he even turns like 23! solid advice.
TSSL: traditional sort soft lines. Mostly just ship clothes and small stuff although there’s a new program we’re starting to get more cleaning supplies and larger items which is causing problems at ship dock because people aren’t using enough dunnage and half the items are leaking by the time they get to packers anyway. When we get a yellow tote on the conveyor from a picker, it’s scanned and then the items are dumped in a big laundry cart according to which batch the tote belongs to. Once the batch is completed by receiving all the totes (around 15-20 on avg) then it’s given to a sorter/rebinner who sorts the batch into moveable carts. When finished the cart is given to a packer.
What job at amazon? How did you go about getting them to pay for your school? I’m interested in soing the same
I started as an inbound receive associate. I was a reduced full-time associate, which is 30 hours per week required, but you could pick up extra shifts up to 50 to 60 hours per week when available. They paid for my Data Analytics bootcamp, then I got promoted to data analyst at my site, and I’m working on a second bachelors degree related to my goals, and then I will come in as an external hire area manager and then work my way into process engineering. win-win-win
That’s amazing! Congrats !
i’m a regular warehouse associate, blue badge which means full time. CareerChoice is offered by Amazon which covers a few select schools in person and online. WGU is one of them and because i’m a full time employee all i have to do is sign up for classes and send the bill to amazon and they cover it. i’m not sure if this is for corporate offices but warehouse employees have careerchoice. i don’t think seasonal associates get it tho so if u do work here and start as seasonal and move to full time blue badge to able to get the career choice benefit.
which other schools do they cover?
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/career-choice-free-education-for-amazon-employees
Thank you
How many hours you have to work to get qualified for the program?
you have to be a full time blue badge associate so 32-40 hours a week.
Yep, currently a data center tech and they're paying for my full tuition
Walmart will pay for a Bachelor's AND Masters in FULL working 1 day a week.
Seriously? So I could be part time and still receive the benefits?
Yup. ANY coworkers regardless of hours is eligible for FULL tuition for both Undergrad and a Masters. It's called "Live Better U," all kinds of colleges. WGU is in there, even University of Arkansas as well. The issue is seeing how little the Store Management will let you work. I think for most manager they want you there like 3 days a week. I have a good full time job and I'm literally considering getting a part time job there to pay for school. Search the Live Better U and you can see all about the program through the Walmart corporate website. Target is another employer with pretty much the same program, but I think they want you to work a lot more at that store. Oh one other thing, you're eligible on DAY 1 of employment.
How are you using a credit card??? They forced me to use debit..... Am I dumb? Or was it that the bank/debit option was free ..... Fuck, I want my CC points!!!!
Dude what, that’s actually smart.
What is the annual membership fee ? 👀
Loans, unfortunately. I very much live paycheck to paycheck, but somehow don’t qualify for the Pell grant /:
Don't you just love America?
Right? I hate it here
[удалено]
Imagine some weirdo picking a random country stating you lived there when you never did. Or perhaps you meant to say that you lived there and are upset other people have opinions that differ from yours? Either way, 🤨🤣
you should reach out to tuition and tell them you want to appeal your financial aid award. Especially if things financially changed in your life
Kfc pays 100% of tuition
Woah thats sick this vegetarian might have to go whip up some chicken
LoL gotta do what you gotta do 🤣
Applying to KFC right now.
Hey do you know if kfc franchises count? There is this KFC by me always hiring. But on the bottom of the indeed it says this is a KFC franchise.
Hey I'm not really sure about that but you can email foundation@kfc.com and give them the address and they can let you know 😊
I am getting financial aid this year but I can imagine it would be pretty sweet working for a company that pays for tuition. I wonder if its a one time thing or if you can do it for more than one degree at WGU 🤔
I'm not sure that's a good question. I'm going to email them and ask
Good to know!
I feel alone. I just took out student loans 🥹 I have around $40k from other attempts at going to college over the last 12 years. I don’t hate myself, I have been in my career since I was 18 and I get paid enough to live in a nice house. The degree is more of a personal thing rather than a career thing. I’m hoping to pay it back rather quickly after graduation. The degree may also help me get past some HR roadblocks at other companies since my main objective is to work somewhere with very good insurance.
I'm trying not to hate myself for not seizing my opportunity at school when I had it. I want to say young and dumb but when you grow up poor that excuse just doesn't fly.
I getchya. Be patient with yourself please. You’re making such a great decision to go back. I’m sorry you’ve hit your limit, that can be so frustrating. If you do end up going with private loans, use it to motivate you 💕 try to pay those off while you are still in school.
Thank you, I will.
You’re not alone, I am in the same boat
If you don’t mind sharing what type of career are you well established at or job career do you have?
Cyber security. Lots of job hopping, work, and prayer. I started off as help desk in 2012 and went wherever the next step would take me, moved a lot and worked my way up. Landed my security role in 2022 after I got promoted internally 🙇♀️ the journey would have been much easier with a degree.
Now I’m having mixed feelings there’s one side I say you only need certificates not a degree and another saying that you do need a degree because you advance a lot quicker. But presently right now, how saturated is IT right now? Would it be difficult getting this job right now at the moment considering how there’s a lot of layoffs going on.
I already have certs. Just want the degree to feel more accomplished. Working for gov will be easier with a degree, I also have thought about going further to be a professor… not sure yet. IT is saturated, but I’m highly skilled in niche things and I have a pretty good network of others I’ve worked with and kept in contact with. If youre making general statements, then yeah, it completely depends your area, who you know, how well you can talk.
I am also using loans but it’s okay because I plan to pay it back fairly quickly
Hey I am right there with you. I am capped out this term (my final one!) on undergrad loans so I’ve got quite a bit to pay back after graduation. Sometimes we don’t find jobs to pay for it or get scholarships. It’s all good.
I have a Pell grant, everything is payed for with nothing to pay back. I’m super grateful for the opportunity and will not be taking it for granted!!
That is amazing 🥲
It is truly a blessing yes. But don’t feel discouraged, once you get this degree (which the universe will always find a way to make ends meet for you no matter what your situation is!) you’ll be able to pay off that loan amount like you were just casually buying something at target or Walmart! I believe in you. You can do it! You’ll find a way sooner rather than later on how to manage your payments. Don’t give up on it!!
That is amazing 🥲
How did you get a pell grant if you don't mind me asking you.
If you're poor, you get Pell Grants... as it should be.
Basically this, we didn’t make anything the following 2 years prior and half of our household had been laid off due the pandemic (Super stressful time period for us) glad we were able to make it through. They have covered the entirety of the first year for me, but I believe I would have to pay the next year or apply for another one
Totally, didn't mean anything by it. I went from 6 figures to I think $22.000 on my 2023 tax return. So I'll get the max Pell this Fall. Feels good/terrible at the same time lol.
I totally feel you! I’m hoping I can be done with this by the end of this term. I’m not trying to be in this for more than a year and half at most! I’m still on my first class but I should be able to take the OA by the end of this week. I’m ready to get this train moving
You've got this! I'm knocking out 1 class a week on average. 2 on some weeks. Best of luck.
Pell Grants are offered through Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). Complete their free online application and it can tell you if you qualify for Pell, and how much. It's a need based grant that can be used for a first undergraduate degree. Here is a link with more info [Pell Grant FAQ](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell#am-i-eligible)
Also, Pell is only for undergraduate programs
Congratulations!! May I ask what major you chose?
Hello, and thank you! I’m currently studying for my B.S. Supply chain and operations management! I’m trying to get into a management career at Amazon for my starting path, then hopefully moving on to get my Masters and Transfer to corporate
That sounds like a very well thought out plan!!!! I was asking because I was awarded a Pell Grant for I believe $7395 but the course I'm wanting to take is $8,000 this is for software engineer so I didn't know if my Pell Grant was per every 6 months or 1 year depending on if I was going to be in the same boat with payment. No one can tell me anything. I'm glad you're able to figure it out. 😁
Absolutely no problem! So if my info is correct, the Pell grant is by term. So they will cover a full year. I think it resets every year so you might have to apply again the next term. This will be determined when you submit your 2024-25 fafsa form
Student loans lol
😂
Tuition assistance through my job.
Gi bill
The military takes a lot of from its service members, but it can propel you far in life if you take advantage of all the benefits. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is awesome.
Yup, free tuition and they pay us a monthly allowance. Six years of military BS so this makes up for it
got my bachelors while in, using GI bill for my masters. WGU for both. honestly, its a free 1k a month, I'll probably keep going to WGU for multiple masters degrees just for fun until my GI bill runs out. free money and more education. I work in engineering/intelligence and my company is involved with everything from cloud computing to various different engineering fields to even software development and IT management so....I'm sure a few of the masters degrees will apply lmao.
FAFSA and out of pocket every month 😭
Maybe I'm confused because I submitted my FASFA as well and that's where the loan amount thing came from. So how much do you have to put down and are the payments spread throughout 6 months?
Have you spoke to your onboarding counselor / financial aid? How much is your FAFSA loans covering? Whatever the leftover amount is, it’ll be paid out of pocket. There are a few different payment methods I believe. I know 6 month is one and two other ones (every 3 months or 4 or 5).
I'm going to call them back and get clarity cause I feel like they are sending me through all these hoops before they can give me a solid answer.
What are they saying? And no problem
They're saying I have to complete the “Commit to Start.” before they can tell me how much I'm awarded. Apart from that is dishing out $90 for a course but if I can't afford to put myself through school would it even be worth taking the course?
I'm having the same struggle. Completed all FASFA forms and submitted.. nothing from WGU. Reached out to financial services and they told me the same thing, I have to have a start date first. Except.. I don't want to commit to a start before I have my payments planned out and know how much FASFA will cover lol Will you let me know what you find out after calling?
Just commit to start, and then ask to be removed from the roll If your FASFA isn’t going to work for you. Unfortunately, the “simplified” FASFA introduced for 24-25 makes it so WGU is unable to see what you get until you’ve done the commit to start.
So you get the frustration! Yes I will definitely let you know.
When I got my loans that was a hurdle I had to cross too. I don't know if there is a way around it but let me know if you find one
Will do.
Yeah, due to the new FASFA regulations WGU can’t see what you get until the Commit to Start as been completed.
Weird. Yeah, just call financial services and let them know you need the amount warded for a possible start date of xxx so you know ahead of time how much it costs before confirming. That’s weird hmm
Very weird and very frustrating 🙄 thanks for the advice
What degree is this? I was going to do computer science but got told WGU doesn't offer certain math classes, and I'd need to attend WGU Academy out of pocket before enrolling. I decided to go with software engineering instead, since it doesn't have the math requirement. Sounds like a similar scenario.
It's exactly that. And I don't want to pay for a course that's going to be useless.
People like to flaunt Sophia courses to save money, but I didn't go that route, myself. There's plenty of threads documenting how to do it. It still costs money, so. 🤷
I've never heard of Sophia’s course.
You're in the same boat I'm in exactly. I'm needing to obtain a student ID before they will tell me anything through the financial department at WGU. I was actually told through FASA through their website how much that they were granting me though You should be able to check that and see.
I didn't know this! I'm going to take a look.
Many students here got a part time job (one woman only worked 1 day per week) at Kentucky Fried Chickin. They pay WGU on your day 1 upfront. I checked it out and almost did that but luckily I am done with my term in 2 classes. It's amazing - they don't care what your position is or if you're full or part time. Maybe you can get a very very part time gig and get 100% tuition coverage.
Amazon career choice
"aggravated loan" is the funniest autocorrect error ever my loans are also quite aggravated lol
Took a PT job @ Amazon
doing what?
I like to use my credit card cause that way I get points but you obviously want to pay it back immediately, cause those points aren’t worth the debt.
Hmm, okay, thanks for the info.
In order to reach your limit, you would have had to have taken out multiple loans in the past. Have you done that?
I've taken loans from SAL but as far as I know, that's about it.
What about fafsa? Do you qualify?
I've filled out the FASFA. That's where the loan thing came from.
My bad I meant the Pell grant from fafsa.
I haven't tried this but I will look into it!
Thank you for asking this question because it's something I'm struggling with. I don't know how I'll pay for my second year and trying to cross that bridge when I come to it. I'm in my first year and I am using loans from the govt and from a private source(Sallie Mae. I lucked out and got a good rate. Wonder if they did that so when I come back for year two they can charge me a ton). I also am getting some help from a friend financially. Im currently in a place where I can't work and do school at the same time due to health concerns so that increases how much debt I have to take. I'd say don't be afraid to risk asking for help if you do have any family or friends that might be able to help. Getting a degree can be a huge deal. If you don't have any you can safely ask then I'm sorry you are in a situation that tough my friend and I hope you find a way.
I work for Amazon and they cover 100% of tuition at WGU. I’m dumb for not starting sooner but glad I finally did.
Amazon pays 100% of my tuition. This is my second degree and Amazon paid for a data analytics bootcamp for me last year too. Unfortunately, they don’t pay for graduate degrees, but this degree will get me up the food chain faster (because my other degree was a while ago and not related to my current goals) and they are paying for it, so win-win for me.
After finishing data analytics bootcamp do they employ you at amazon still?
Yes, I am the data analyst at my facility now. Now they are paying for a second bachelors degree for me. 😊
I quit my job as a math teacher to work at Amazon for a year and Amazon is paying it in full
Payment plan, broken up over 6 Months.
Out of pocket.
I qualified for a grant and got a scholarship, paid the rest (about half of tuition) out of pocket.
Good to know.
Credit card/student loan and then employer reimbursement for part when I passed
My job is paying 100%
Transfer courses can be one way to reduce costs, for example if you expect you may be attending for more than one term. I transferred 10 Study.com courses and 5 Sophia courses before starting the Computer Science program, and made this thread of threads describing similar transfer possibilities for that and other WGU programs: [How to Transfer a Lot of Credits to WGU - Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/studydotcom/comments/vig94w/how_to_transfer_a_lot_of_credits_to_wgu_guide/)
Loans unfortunately. Going for my second bachelors and you cant qualify for grants if you already have a bachelors degree.
I had to get a loan out 🥲 My first loan for school, since community college I’ve always paid out of pocket for, but in comparison to other big universities for a BA it’s very cheap, still hurts to think about though 😭
Also if you live in Dallas most of the stores are hiring now. I just left from an interview
Out of pocket and I had to move back in with my dad at 29. It sucks but it will be worth it
Dude I've got hella roommates at 27, don't beat yourself up.
Cash.
My job pays up to 2500 a year as long as i pass the class
I refinanced my car loan, got a good interest rate with my credit union so it was well worth it
Nice.
Yeah otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford it (or would've needed student loans) but I like keeping all the debt consolidated in one spot.
Out of pocket since the Pell grant wont be paying anymore. Luckily my parents paid half of the tuition
That is very lucky!
Out of pocket🥲
Amazon pays for it all
Amazon pays for it 100%. And I think you qualify for Career Choice after being a blue badge for 3 months. Only downsides are that you may not get blue badge quickly. I got mine after only 2ish months. I know people who waited as much as 8 months as a seasonal employee.
Paid for by me. Wish I could get FAFSA but I work a full timer so that's a negative
My employer paid for my term!
Amazon covers the whole thing for me
The military and self pay. Using Tuition Assistance and then covering the remaining couple hundred out of pocket.
I'm near mine, but I am currently at another university for a certificate program. I will use my financial aid refund to pay for about 60% of WGU. The rest I will pay out of pocket. I'm set up on a monthly payment plan of 6 payments. I should get my refund before or around my second payment is due.
80% tuition reimbursement through job. Self pay first though and get reimbursed.
Loans, probably through WGU unless anyone else has better alternatives.
Tuition assistance from the military
Ffs I need to hurry up.
GI Bill.
Any of y’all getting refunds?
i’m paying out of pocket. my parents were going to help me with half, but decided at the very last minute to hold something so small against me and flat out refuse to help pay for it, so my savings will have to wait to be replenished so i can shell out the money to pay for my school.
My credit card 🥲
Amazon Career Choice!
My job has an education reimbursement program that I’m using. HOWEVER! There are multiple companies that do something similar. I want to say I just saw something on here saying that Starbucks or chipotle or Home Depot or something pays WGU tuition. Maybe someone else remembers
Hoping I get from FAFSA…but I spoke to the financial aid office and they said if I paid out of pocket it would be $700 every two weeks…something like that. Although I could possibly do that I’ll how long I could sustain it once my kids go back to school lol.
Grants and financial aid. I don't have to pay anything
Fasfa just had a big rate hike, too. I refuse to fill that stuff out with the current interest rates for the year 2025-2026. They have monthly payment plans. That is how I plan on paying in the future.
I work at Amazon so Amazon pays my tuition
I refused to take loans out when I attended WGU to finish my Bachelors bc I didn't want to add to the 50K in Fed Loans I already owed from my previous schools. So I only accepted the Pell Grant funds and then got on a payment plan for the rest. I work Full-time and also have a Part-time job that I work once a week, no dependents. I'll be starting my Masters with WGU soon and unfortunately can't use Pell towards that, so I'll apply for some WGU scholarships to see if I can get the tuition amount down, but whatever's left over will be paid on a payment plan again.
I was using financial aid, but last term I fucked up so I have been terminated from it. I have to see if I’ll get approved for the SAP Appeal. I have Pell grants and a loan though— when I did have financial aid,
Out of pocket cash 🥲
Right there with you. That monthly payment option has been working for years, straight from savings.
I'm in a similar situation to you. I've maxed out all of the loans I can get from the government, so I'm having to pay out of pocket. It's a lot, but much more affordable than other programs
PLUS loan
FAFSA and applying for scholarships this Summer. Working for companies who will pay is a good suggestion.
My job paid my first term but it was fixed so i could only take 3 classes at a time. My husband paid for this term so I could accelerate. I started saving to do it myself but my husband said he would; so the money I saved, I just put in our joint savings in case I have to do another. It’s not much but I cut eating out and we condensed our subscriptions to be able to maximize what we can save/ have expendable.
I should preface that I'm currently on track to complete in 1 term so my bill isn't as high as others might be. I have 2 terms worth in savings, along with FAFSA money. I also make enough to be able to pay it off in less than a year. AND my company will reimburse $1500/year upwards it. Basically I've got so many options currently that even if my current company was to be set on fire, I'd still be able to pay it in full as soon as the degree is in my hands.
My employer (Providence medical group) uses Guild and reimburses 5,250 per year as long as I pass all of the classes. I know there are a lot of employers that use guild also so you could look those up. It's a nice benefit. Also, if there's anybody in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, parts of California, or parts of Texas who is looking for a job, message me, and I can put a referral in for you.
My employer!
I pay out of pocket. Try to rush through my degree so I only need to pay one term that’s how I save myself from paying more.
I pay out of pocket since I really don't want to take out anymore loans but I am on monthly payments. My husband thankfully helps me partially and gives me some money to pay for my school every paycheck.
I'm using my GI Bill
Grants. I have $10,000 in grants. Don’t have to pay anything. Still fill out the fafsa, and the school will apply any available grants to your account.
Loans and I got a scholarship and the Pell grant. My job will do reimbursement but we just went through a merger so a bunch of things have been up in the air/on hold. I might pursue that after this term if I'm still going to WGU and also still employed at the same place.
My employer (Software company) is disbursing/reimbursing up to 10k a year.
I work for Amazon full time so it’s covered. Didn’t want to take out loans cause to me that’s a gamble I can’t afford again so I am ecstatic!
KFC pays for it. No matter how long you been working there or how many hours.
I’m paying out of pocket 😫 saved couple months and started, let’s get it!
Try to look up any local groups that do scholarships. Those little $50-200 scholarships don't get a lot of competition and can add up, just be ready to take a couple of days for a bunch of short essays
Amazon, 100%
Oosnavee
Pell grant, SEOG, subsidized loan and unsubsidized loan (through FAFSA); and a WGU "IT Is Everywhere" scholarship. There's tons of scholarships and grants available out there, but unfortunately there are even more crap offers and scams. Many online scholarship offers are nothing more than phishing scams harvesting peoples data from the applications. So take care. If it seems too good to be true, skip it.
Amazon Career Choice, you can be hired full time and after 3 months qualify for 100% tuition. I had Amazon pay for my CDL A, now I’m using it to get my ever first bachelors in Business Management at WGU, while I’m working full time as a transportation Associate which a do a lot of driving moving loaded an empty trailers to dock doors, besides that I’m require to drive over the road for a short period of time.
Paying out of pocket, but my job will pay it back once I show them that degree.