This is more of a rant than anything. I am 24 years old in the last semester of my bachelor's graduating in August. Accepted into a MSW program starting the same month. I am taking the maximum number of credits this summer to finish my degree in time. Stressed out of my mind with the classes alone but thankfully received enough financial aid up to this point to make it work.
Unfortunately because this is a summer semester, I've maxed out my annual federal loan borrowing and pell grant amounts for 2025-26. Private loans are my only option at this point.
Frankly I'm only getting more pissed off reading through some of these threads looking for private loan advice. "Have you tried getting a job?" "Have you filed your FAFSA?" "Do NOT get private loans". I'm SO CLOSE to finishing my degree. This is just a big rant I understand private loans are a last resort but it's been so hard to find a thread that accepts it's the person's last resort. It is my last resort. Yes I've considered the other options, yes I'm doing everything I can, please don't make this any more demeaning than it already is.
Posted by paintypaintypainty
4 Comments
Do what you have to do!! Ultimately it is up to the individual what they want to take on, and if you feel the need to do this then you need to! I am proud of you for doing what it takes to follow your dreams. Don’t forget to take care of yourself in these stressful months!
Also sorry idk anything about private loans other than try to get a low interest rate and pay the interest while in school if you can haha
Yes and your situation is why there will always be private student loans. You’ve tried everything else and are so close to finishing your degree. You’ve considered all options and are making the decision you feel is best.
I don’t think anyone is criticizing people like you in your very specific situation. I’m certainly not. There’s a huge difference between taking out a private loan for one semester because you need to graduate, vs financing your entire undergrad and grad education with private loans.
There’s always risk, but you need to graduate. No one on Reddit can make that decision for you. If you’ve truly considered all other options, then you gotta to what you gotta do.
I didn’t know this until much later, and it would have saved me a lot of money had I chosen the degree, given this information. But some schools have funds for social work degrees and they will pay 100% of your tuition if you are accepted. University of Wisconsin-Madison pays for your MSW if you are accepted there.
The advice is given because it is the best advice. If it doesn’t fit your situation or work for you you can ignore it. No one here is forcing people not to take private loans, but if asked people will say what they believe.
Sometimes circumstances require people to touch a hot stove, but if someone asks whether they should touch a hot stove the answer will of course be no.