Student Loan Options for Appraiser Qualification Education

[intuitude]

For those needing loan assistance, what advice can you give for options? FAFSA only offers assistance for certain schools. A PELL grant is off the table. An internet search has left me clueless. What have I not thought of?

 

[GCJim]

Hello Intutude,

Great question........
Are you just starting your coursework?
I'm not sure there are any options at all for student loans for appraisal courses per se, as I was always under the impression that these loans were reserved for accredited, post-secondary education (as in, 'college'). If there is a college near you that offers appraisal courses and / or a real estate appraisal degree program (my understanding is that there are some out there), my first phone call would be to them.
You could also call a local chapter of one of the larger appraisal organizations, like the Appraisal Institute, NAIFA, ASA and others to see if student loans are offered by anyone, anywhere for appraisal course work. They could probably tell you instantly if any exist.

The other option, of course, is to take the courses one at a time while you are working in another field. I have found the cost of most of the individual courses to be reasonable, and usually affordable. I think you'll find that this is how most appraisers got their appraisal education. Others will chime in with their experiences as well....stay tuned.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[Thern Newbell]

Not exactly sure what your situation is, but if I could turn back the clock, I would have avoided student loans as much as possible. It doesn't take long to accumulate a lot of debt, and it takes a lot longer to pay it off.

 

[Jerry Bone Jr]

what advice can you give for options?

Join the Army National Guard; get FTA, GI Bill, &/or ROTC money.

 

[Fritz in NY]

FASFA and PELL are a no go all the way. Don't know about the VA. It is very limiting the way to get into this biz. How many people can pay $ 1,750.+/- out of pocket for licensing classes, take 3 +/- weeks off of "work" for class/prep/exams, pay to get a license let alone pay for the right to take the exam, pay to join an MLS, pay for a 2nd-3rd party verification service (Real Info, Real Link etc), pay for on line service, phone line, advertising, E & O, office supplies yadda yadda yadda with out one single order....What were we all thinking?

 

[Michael S]

I was able to use tuition assistance through the National Guard to cover 100% of the cost for my initial 75 hours. I'm still looking into whether I can use it for the remaining 225 or if I can use my remaining GI Bill.

 

[Jerry Bone Jr]

I was able to use tuition assistance through the National Guard to cover 100% of the cost for my initial 75 hours. I'm still looking into whether I can use it for the remaining 225 or if I can use my remaining GI Bill.

Hooah Brother