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Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Michelle Lyons" data-source="post: 1340791" data-attributes="member: 5217">As of this weekend, we're probably going to order a couple. I've got two boys I was considering getting kid bags for anyway. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />As to school (I take it this was Paladinwife posting under the wrong alias), may I suggest the following options:1) A community college. They are typically a good deal cheaper, and a good way to get back into school if you had GPA isues or just want to take it slow for a while. If you were very far into your degree or already had the core requirements covered, this may not be useful to you, but it never hurts to check.2) The local JCC. The Dallas JCC (there's probably one in Fort Worth too, I didn't check) will have information on scholarships and grants. While most of them are probably for kids out of high school, I'll be highly surprised if they don't have some for Jewish adults who wish to continue their education (especially women).3) With 4 kids, you actually have to make quite a bit of money to not qualify for any need-based loans. I would go ahead and fill out a FAFSA for this year, just in case. The worst they'll say is no, but if you want grants you have to apply now. You can always turn down any offered loans if you don't want them. This is especially a good idea of late, as the government is really encouraging adults to return to school. Don't forget the HOPE education credit and the Lifetime Learning tax credit -- basically, all your tuition, ect., comes straight off the tax you owe. Oh, and a number of scholarships at public institutions require that you have that form completed and on record.4) Go down and talk to the school -- admissions and financial aid, specifically. You may have to be admitted before they'll talk to you about it, but that's typically only a $50 fee at most -- assuming they aren't picky about admissions. Public universities aren't normally so bad about it, though some can be. Places like UT-Dallas I would imagine are pretty reasonable. Also, if they won't admit you due to GPA issues or something, you need to know. They may have special scholarships for women returning to school, grants, or other arrangements they can make but you have to go talk to them personally to find out. Also, you can be admitted without being enrolled for the semester, in which case you don't have to pay anything beyond that amount. Texas Women's University in Denton (or University of North Texas, there) might also be good options for you if you're on the north side of the metroplex (or if one of the trains goes out that far). The latter two options also both have a lot of online offerings, which might work out better for you with your busy schedule. My husband graduates this semester after having been out for 10 years (and with a lousy GPA, too). When he graduates this semester, he'll have been on the President's list for 4 straight semesters, all 4.0. I hope to go back and finish mine next year. We have two kids, have cut all expenses we could, and I've paid his way through as a freelancer in the RPG industry. If we can do it, you can too. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />I really can't recommend doing this enough. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you all. Michelle</blockquote>

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