Vanity Request?Advice on Student Loans

Once again, I am turning to the wise and knowlegeable freepers for ideas/advice...concerning student loans.

Hubby has decided he wants to take a step at acquiring a 'second career'. He wants to become a licensed farrier. (hoof caretaker/shoer)

Our farrier told him to go to the local JTPA office because they would pay his tution for the schooling. (JTPA is some program run by the unemployment bureau)
The JTPA woman just called and said that the farrier school is not on the 'approval list'.
Hubby seems to think that the reason they don't have it as an 'approval' is because not many people WANT to take the training, and there are no apprenticeship programs around here. However our farrier, said that he will take Mark(hubby) on as an apprentice and give him his hands on training to become a licensed farrier. We will probably have Mike (our farrier) write a letter of recommendation to the JTPA stating all that, to see if it helps.

In case it doesn't help, Mark was thinking about applying for a student loan. I did a google search and the info is OVERWHELMING to say the least! There are loan companies, federal offices, etc, etc. ACK! Talk about overload.

OK, what do I want to know???

First, is it even a 'good' idea to apply for a student loan? I've heard some horror stories about people who've gotten the shaft with them.

IF these student loans are a good thing, is there any reliable place to START? From the little I've read on the google searches, a LOT seem to be places that are similiar to credit card/mortgage companies. Is there anything I should 'look for' when applying for the loan?

Now, if anyone is wondering WHY hubby would want to go back to school here's a simple 'reason'...big bucks. LOL!!! Seriously, our farrier is the closest guy to us...and he travels @ 80 miles. On the day he comes here, he goes to another farm, and at the end of @ 6 hours work, he has pocketed @$2,000.00. Mike, has told Mark that he's ALWAYS having to turn away new horses/clients because the demand is so great, since there is NO farrier in the 5 surrounding counties!! Also, Mike has told us, that even if Mark did this 'job' on a part-time basis, he'd make enough money to spoil our 7 kids 'rotten'. (people who have kids know that you NEVER have enough money for the kids)

Another reason for the student loan, is that since Mark is on lay-off, this training/schooling would NOT interefere with his job/paycheck. He would have to leave the state for Kentucky, to go to the school.(something he can't do when he has to work 70 hrs weekly)

Any and ALL advice, ideas, 'Grandmotherly' and 'fatherly' admonitions will be MOST welcome!!! YUP, I'm a real ditz when it comes to this kind of 'stuff!

LOL...Many thanks in advance!.....mommadooo

How much does it cost and how long does it take?

The only real "student" loans are the government subsidized kind (e.g. GSL) and special private programs for particular professional programs (e.g. LawLoans, and similar ones for medical and business school, but none for farrier school I'm afraid). Check with the school to see which, if any, government subsidized programs the school is eligible for (this doesn't necessarily correlate with the JTPA eligibility, as I think JTPA is a state program).

If there is no government subsidized program (which would probably be the least expensive route), then you don't need a "student" loan, you just need a loan. If refinancing your home mortgage is an option, interest rates are very low AND the interest is tax deductible, so this would be the first choice. Otherwise, talk to your local bank -- they may have other ideas, especially if you and your husband have decent credit.

Any chance Mike would be willing to finance the training, in exchange for a written commitment from your husband to split his earnings with Mike (after his apprenticeship is over and he's working independently) until the loan is repaid with a reasonable interest rate? Good luck!

First off, I would talk with the school. They are the one's most likely to know where the tuition money is available.

Secondly, this is a good field to go into. My uncle is a vet and says he could probably make more shoeing horses. There is a real shortage. BTW I live on Farriers Bend Dr. Most people don't even know what a farrier is, anymore.

Two other fields that are good are piano tuners and dog groomers.

I have a friend that has apprenticed to a piano tuner. The guy, in his 70's, makes over $100,000 a year and has more work than he can handle.

A good dog groomer can make over $50,000 a year.

Good Luck.

We're waiting to hear back from the school, as to the 'loans' they honor.

Since hubby is a vet, maybe the VA has something available.

Yup, the 'art' of farriery is becoming lost. Around here, life comes to a standstill, on 'farrier day'. It's an appointment that has to be close to #1 in keeping. No hoof no horse.

Anyone who doesn't mind being around horses, would make a good choice in the farriery field. It's excellent pay and the work isn't all that demanding/strenuous. Most horses are taught to give the foot.(of course, there's the occasional butthead, like our donkey, who thinks he shouldn't have to)

Our 14 y.o. daughter is thinking of 'joining' the ranks of your uncle's profession. She's been talking about going into equine vet training.

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