However, graduate school is much different from undergraduate. Graduate students may receive fellowships, which are basically free tuition plus a stipend combination usually with NO work requirement, OR assistantships, which typically waive tuition or reduce it dramatically and provide a wage in exchange for research or teaching assistantship duties. Having one of these makes one a “funded” student.

Choosing to attend a graduate program as an “unfunded” student may not be wise. Generally, most of the better schools fund the graduate students that they feel have “potential.” The unfunded students are often not given comparable opportunities for professional development or networking. Basically, they pay the bills, but receive the shorter end of the stick. Now, if your goal of going to graduate school is basically to tack on an M.A. in a discipline related to your undergraduate degree in order to be more competitive for basic jobs, then you will probably be unfunded and only want the degree and not necessarily professional development in the particular subject area.

As far as applying in advance goes, most schools have their own calendars. You should research institutions and choose wisely. From the sound of things, you could use a mentor or counselor. Perhaps your undergraduate school has such services for alumni. I would check into that first. If not, perhaps you should make an appointment with the graduate school admissions office of your state’s flagship school (University of STATE/State U, etc.) at their main campus and discuss your future goals and plans.

Also, please be advised that professional school (law, medicine, dentistry, etc.) is not handled the same way as graduate school in terms of financial aid. Again, I would first figure out where I wanted to go, fill out the FAFSA form, fill out the schools’ forms, and then go from there. Should you be planning professional school, the schools will steer you toward LawLoans, MedLoans. etc. as applicable.

Good Luck.

I know there’s a pride element and a want to pay for it yourself, but why not accept some help from your parents? I actually paid for my grad school with loans, and I wish I didn’t have to pay them back now…

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm

But seeing how much you make you might be eligible for only federal loans with has a lower interest than private loans. But man, if you parents are willing (and can afford) to pay let them pay for at least some of it. If you can get out of school debt free it will start you off great when you graduate.

“Remember” when borrowing from a loan from the US department of Education”, when a loan is in default they pose a high interest which will take longer to pay pack but you can pay your loan with other grants to pay back your guarranteed student loan if you can’t pay it back , the payments can be as low as $25 a month..if you still cant pay back your loan become a professional student and the US Departement of Education will give you a longer grace period.

A good idea would be to try a local bank or credit union with your parents, and see if you can get a better interest rate if you have a co-signer.

And look for government grad. loans.

Good luck !

www.fafsa.ed.gov