I met my older husband in 1998.  We have a 7 yr. old son who we love dearly.  My husband had been self-employed for many years however he became disabled and after his own money ran out he had to apply for and receives Social Security Disability.  Fortunately, being self-employed he kept his FICA paid up and we do receive the maximum amount possible from Social Security.  As a veteran of over four years service during the Vietnam era he is fortunate for the medical care received from the VA.  Our son receives health services via MC+ through state medicaid.  At present I have no form of medical coverage but fortunately no health problems have arised. We recently obtained a 3 year old mini-van for which we made a "bad" deal.  There is no recourse now but to live with it and pray we don't have to put more money in it.  In 2000 and again in 2001 we had become involved with 2 different Manufactured Home Dealers.  After their lies and cheating we found, after consulting with a lawyer, that we would have to file bankruptcy.  (If we had the money to hold out for several years we would probably have won both cases).  We now have plans for me to continue on with my education to obtain my Masters and Doctorate in Psychology.  I have a mentor at MSSU who teaches, provides therapy in private practice and performs pro-bono work.  This is a path I feel would be best for me also.  I feel providing therapy, (pro-bono) especially to lower educated persons, may help them to understand their mental maladies and hopefully provide a direction to improve their quality of living.  Thus, pro-bono work will help others to make use of my education.  To continue on to a Graduate School provides a huge hurtle for us.  We have the problem of traveling (the van) to find housing and possibly for interviews for wherever I may be accepted.  Even to file the applications, of which there will be about 10-12, will take around 500-600 dollars.  The cost of a Rental Truck, gas and hiring help to load and unload due to my husband's disability will be terrific.  Our investigations into most college towns reveals that any available housing for students, regardless of age, is very high.  Any homes available are being rented out as "group homes".  Rents are based on a student for each sleeping room, thus most houses rent for $900.00 plus a month.  These homes would normally rent for about $450.00.  Since it will take about 6 years to complete the Masters/Docorate procedures it is hopeful we can find a house to buy which should provide a lower monthly living obligation (we hope).  Any assistance, grant, loan or schorlarship, would be so appreciated.  As my husband says, "If only I could do as before", but that cannot be.      

Note: This aidpage was started as a comment on "Student Financial Aid: Scholarships, Fellowships, Traineeships, Loans"

At 29 I am married with a 7 yr. old son. My husband of advance years is disabled. We must live on a very strict budget. Our priorities are our son, our home, our transportation, our financial obligations and lastly, ourselves. I have attended MSSU, Joplin, MO, for 3 1/2 years. The cost of living in Joplin and our limited income make it very difficult. At present I have spent unbudgetted money for taking the GRE exams and need funding for applications to Graduate Programs out of Missouri. Besides the application costs, there is the traveling to where I am accepted, securing housing, and finally moving. Since my husband is disabled we have to hire someone to help load and unload a rental truck. My goals, with my present 3.75 GPA is to obtain my Masters then Docorate In Psychology. Once my eduacation is secure I plan to follow in my mentor's steps and perform three functions. 1. Enter private psychology practice. 2. Teach or instruct at an accreditied university. 3. Provide pro-bono therapy especially for the homeless. Any financial help to achieve our goals would be so appreciated. There are so many so confused about life and their mental confusions, usually due to depression, etc. Just the associated maladies with depression, for example, is so enormous most cannot see the tunnel let alone the light at the end of it.