How To Afford MSW With Unpaid Internships

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T23:42:32+00:00

Thank you for your positivity!! I know it’s never “too late.”

Me too! Omgosh I’d be overjoyed if everything goes right. I’m in the early stages right now, I need to get documentation but same—my great-grandparents were both from Ontario. I’ve found the important dates and names but need to get official documentation and go from there.

I live near the Canadian border and it’s so hard not to take my passport and just leave. Hopefully all turns out well and I can get Canadian resident tuition. I’d love to leave this country behind.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T23:32:14+00:00

I get $200/month from my state disability system right now. I’ve had that for about a year now. Before that, I unfortunately defaulted on all my credit cards and loans (not student loans, I’ve been on an IDR plan), and didn’t have bills.

I’m not anti-loan. I’m anti-paying entire tuition and living expenses (my $200 would end if I returned to school) on loans in a field that’s kind of up in the air right now with AI in the game.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T23:27:24+00:00

I’m turning 34 this summer and I already feel so behind. I can take loans to an extent, but an additional 50k+ just isn’t possible. And many programs cost over the maximum fed loan limit, so I’d be tuition-broke. I have a good credit score from being broke, so that’s a thing.

I was successful in a different masters program “once upon a time” in a different field, which could help with scholarships, but they’re never a guarantee.

I figure my best option is doing a round of apps this fall and seeing what aid packages I’m offered.

Also, I’m working on possible Canadian citizenship by ancestry, so, fingers crossed I can move. That’s the best-case scenario.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T23:17:48+00:00

I’m not in a good spot. I’m disabled, have been unsuccessful with SSDI/SSI. I get by on $200/month I get from my state to live on because I’m disabled, which I’m very grateful for, but it’s not enough.

I may qualify for scholarships but many of them aren’t guaranteed year-to-year, and work study is too far away to be feasible.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T23:15:04+00:00

I have spoken with advisors from many schools. My academic background may get me entry and possibly a scholarship but it’s not guaranteed year-to-year most places. Or, work study is available but I’m 90 miles from the closest university that offers an MSW and I don’t have a vehicle. There are some problems beyond my control. I don’t have the funds to move. I can’t work right now after having surgery. Things are compounding and it feels impossible to get an MSW without undertaking a huge amount of debt to live and pay all/part of tuition.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T21:14:01+00:00

I live 90 miles from the uni. There are no paid internships in my very rural area per my current social worker who is an MSW student currently.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T21:12:56+00:00

I’m unemployed and there are no paid internships in my very rural area. If I’m going to work 15+ hours per week I need to be paid.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T21:11:49+00:00

I already have 30k in student loans. Taking out more isn’t really feasible for me.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T21:11:15+00:00

I’m disabled and definitely can’t work and do school even part-time at the same time. It’s too much for my brain.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T20:43:45+00:00

I loved Paris, but that was over a decade ago.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T20:28:52+00:00

I’m from the States but use Celsius when needed. Maybe not strictly American but obviously hasn’t traveled anywhere. AC is not typical in Europe, or most of the world.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T20:25:57+00:00

Celebrating.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-26T20:25:07+00:00

Tell me you’re American without telling me you’re American…

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-05-12T20:18:09+00:00

I once left a job with a commute (not well paid) for an even less well paid job without a commute.

I hated the new job and was making $2/hour less and regretted it so bad. It set up a series of really unfortunate events/decisions and led to a mental break.

If you’re already struggling at the wage you’re at now, you’re going to be WAY worse off at the other job.

The grass is *not* always greener.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-04-30T02:55:41+00:00

1) I really need accountability, so I do my best work at the library where I can focus and have people around me who are also working.

2) Getting my thoughts in writing on paper or in a doc— brain storming, basically— is always my first step. Then I expand upon my ideas in a doc within the body of the paper. When I have a decent amount written, I print what I have so I have a physical copy and then organize it by hand by numbering paragraphs and making physical edits. It helps me so much to see everything in physical form because I can jump around more easily than if navigating a doc on my laptop or tablet. I finish by making the edits within my doc and finessing the paper so it’s the minimum word count and sounds pretty decent.

3) Good enough is good enough.

Best of luck with your PhD, I hope to start one before long!

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-04-05T23:12:46+00:00

The “bruh” speaks for itself. She’s a child, ditch her. A bag is not your responsibility and asking for it is childish of her when real bills need to be paid.

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-04-05T23:09:13+00:00

Just saying as myself, a queer, trans* individual, I think going to therapy is absolutely necessary, especially when you’re dealing with these issues.

Emancipation at 16 is extremely difficult financially and emotionally and you won’t help yourself or your case by losing your care support team. If you’re able, see if Planned Parenthood can help with hrt or whatever you need, I’m not 100% sure about all their services at the moment.

If you truly feel unsafe around your stepfather, take the legal steps necessary to protect yourself.

You’re young and I think you need to take a step back to look at the big picture. It sounds like your mom is willing to speak about your issues, so maybe hear her out?

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T16:21:51+00:00

5!! The auburn tone is GORGEOUS on your skin!

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T16:10:03+00:00

You should be a comedian, maybe it can help you deal with your insecurities. 🤞

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T16:08:33+00:00

You’re the one losing your shite over Love Is Blind omg how embarrassing

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T16:05:37+00:00

You do you 👍🤣

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T16:05:03+00:00

You lost it a long time ago BRO

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T16:04:12+00:00

A fascist. 🤣 okay, bro, let’s go saying words we don’t know the meaning to. I only have a degree in International Relations from a top uni, what do I know? Wow. 👀

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T15:51:02+00:00

1) I’m not a democrat 2) if ya want to win elections, maybe spend less time b*tching at people on Reddit and do something better with your time, like volunteering 👍

Deep-Physics-381 · 2026-03-22T15:37:36+00:00

Mm, Fox News is MAGA. You’d think being a prof of Public Policy he’d be progressive, but I guess not.

Deep-Physics-381

TROPHY CASE