Financing DIY Postbacc Advice

Nontraditional Premed Discussion
1

Hello everyone, hope everyone are doing well.

I am hoping if anyone can shine on how were you able to pay postbacc classes.

I am planning to take a DIY Postbacc class and I found myself in a pickle trying to figure out how to pay those classes. In my local university, a science class cost about $2000 with grade credit. However, as a recent graduate from undergrad, single, independent, and broke, I will not be able to pay multiple classes which staggered my process in applying for medical school.

I do have a full time job, but that money are used to pay for rent, bills, and miscellaneous things and plus I don’t get pay enough to save. I have spoken to my DIY postbacc university and have explained about my situation and they gave me these options.

  1. Pay out of my pocket… Straightforward, but I do not have that resource
  2. Apply for an university grant, but that grant can only award up to $500 per class.
  • However, the catch is that I cannot apply for federal loans through this university at the same time
  1. Apply through FAFSA and get federal loans from the university
  2. Private lender from banks

I am not too familiar about loans especially private loans, but I would like to give me your input on how did you pay your way during postbacc and if someone can, educate me about these options.

Thank you.

2

Taking classes a la carte is so expensive! It’s hard to say without knowing how many classes you have to take and what your timeline is. I saw your other post about retaking classes with Cs–did you decide which classes to retake? If you only need a few classes and really want to go debt-free, could you take a year to get a second job to save for the classes? That pushes your timeline back, but you don’t have debt. Otherwise, loans would be your only option. I am taking out loans this year (unless I get a scholarship–still waiting on that), but I am in a totally different situation. It’s a risk that I’m willing to take since it’s for a second bachelor’s that I can parlay into a plan B career if necessary. I believe that it’s a move that will make me money even if med school weren’t to happen.