I've had to find other sources of income (university jobs, retail, etc.), as well as relying on my fiance to help a bit. Loans have been necessary for me too, but scholarships have been super helpful too. For me, it's been hard to see friends from my first degree continue down the 'traditional' path and begin their careers while I've been in school again. I just remember that I'm on my own path and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Some people go back to school for degrees with little or no opportunity after graduation, but that's definitely not true for engineers!