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Paying for school

Hello massage therapy world. Thanks so much for having me. :)
I need advice from anyone who has any. I recently graduated from college. I can't find a job and very much want to go to school for massage and start a career that way. I was wondering if anyone had any good tips on how to pay for massage school when you are broke. Loans, financial aid, anything at all. Thank you so much for anything and everything.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel E. Watkins on December 29, 2009 at 9:12pm

Hi Brian,

What does your college degree qualify you for? What are your talents, knowledge, skills? Massage is often great for people who are more self-employment types, so if you can't find a "job", then why not make one?. What can you do that is of value to others?

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Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on December 29, 2009 at 9:22pm

Thanks for the specific clarification Laura - yes I may not have been clear. Most appreciated

Laura Allen said:

Gloria, I missed your post when I was replying. I have heard from several school owners that federal student assistance has been cut off for schools that aren't COMTA approved at the moment. Of course private schools like Privai and others that are willing to make private arrangements for their students can still do that, but the interest rate on federal loans tends to be much cheaper than those on private loans. Because of the fact that I have always paid on time and have mine automatically deducted, the interest on my student loan (for my master's study, not for massage school, I bartered that one) is less than 5%. That won't be the case with most private loans. Be very careful not to take a loan with an exhorbitant interest rate that will leave you paying way more than you borrow.

I know that you know this, but I'll clarify it for the student: "Board approval" from the state and "accreditation" from COMTA are two different things, and COMTA approval does indeed guarantee that a school is eligible for federal loans. Board approval does not.

Gloria Coppola said:
Just because a school is accredited does not mean they yet qualify for government type loans.
It takes a few years for some of the newer schools to have that advantage and the high costs to get COMTA approved are often discouraging. So just because a school is accredited, does not mean they are the best, I beg to differ!
You definitely need to do some interviewing of the schools!

Some of these schools do offer private financing! For example, Privai Academy in Asheville, NC is a new school and they are offering private financing.
I believe you are near Winston Salem, NC and you can check with Living Arts Institute . I believe since they are Vo-Tech they might have some other funding options.

The schools will help you with the loan process in most cases.

Kim Goral said:
Go to an accredited school :) You'll probably get a better education since they have to be in line with certain standards. Where are you located? Maybe someone on here is from your general area and can give you suggestions of good schools in your area.

Brian Kalstrup said:
Thanks for all the advice guys. I really appreciate everything that you supplied. I have another question now (they just keep coming lol). How exactly does one go about getting a loan for school if the school itself isn't accredited. I sort of new to the professional world and don't have any experience with the loan process. Thanks again.