Future Student Wants To Minimize Financial Burden
DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm looking to level up in my career, and I want to pursue a master's degree. I'm someone who does not want to accumulate too much debt, based on milestones that I see in my future. I have no issue with higher education, and I don't have much anxiety around the program itself; I am just more concerned about making sure I have financial stability while I pursue the degree.
My family members are encouraging me to take out loans if necessary, citing the increase in pay I would receive from having another degree. I can consider spreading out my schooling over a period of time to make it less of a financial burden, but I do not want to unnecessarily extend the length of the program. What are some ways I can manage the financial responsibility of higher education with the bills of everyday life? -- Higher Ed
DEAR HIGHER ED: The first thing I would do is check to see whether your current employer offers any tuition reimbursement. Many places of work include that as a benefit for their employees.
Research graduate programs with benefits, such as programs that may pay you to attend. Usually that comes with a caveat, like having to work as a teaching assistant for the institution. You might think about looking at the military. Many enlisted people pursue higher education courtesy of the United States government while they are offering their service. Look for affordable graduate programs. The cost varies widely depending on the institution. You are wise to consider cost. Let your research steer you to choices that make you feel the most comfortable.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have an active 10-year-old. She enjoys being outside, and she doesn't like doing anything that requires sitting down for too long. I'm glad to see that she is energetic, but I want to translate it into something that is productive. I think that it would be great for her to join a sport, as it will teach discipline and structure while keeping her active. I have looked into some programs that seemed serious in their approach to the sport. My husband agrees that my daughter needs an outlet for her energy, but he thinks it is too early for her to be in competitive sports. He thinks it would put too much pressure on her and end up becoming an unnecessary stressor. Although I think it is important to teach responsibility from a young age, I do understand his concerns. How do you think competitive sports impact a child's confidence and mental health? -- Child Athlete
DEAR CHILD ATHLETE: In a sense, all sports are competitive, but not every program is looking to cultivate an Olympian. What interests your daughter? For example, I knew my daughter liked to dance, so I enrolled her in dance class, which she did for years. When it got to the point of needing to decide if she wanted to become a professional, she stopped, as that wasn't her passion. Start with your daughter. What interests her? What would make her excited to do? Look for recreational classes or teams that promote fun and discipline but are not necessarily pipelines to overly competitive teams.
========
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
Copyright 2026, Harriette Cole
COPYRIGHT 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Andrews McMeel Syndication.
Comments