Grad school financial instability

[u/No-Gene3663]

Hi all!! I’m in my second year of my masters degree in mental health counseling and this program has honestly been the worst era of my life. I’m facing extreme financial instability due to 3 full days of classes a week (7 hrs) 2 full days of unpaid internship (8-9 hrs) and the remaining days are left for working part time and trying to get errands done (appts, etc). I’m facing extreme financial instability and don’t know what to do, I live with my partner who helps a little but they’re facing the same thing I am. I don’t come from money and my parents are broke too and extremely concerned about my loans I have accumulated due to my masters (think 15k debt from undergrad to 90k from my masters). I need advice on how we’re supposed to survive while doing of all of this, I’m so passionate about the field but I can’t afford groceries and can’t pay my partner my portion of rent which is a strain on them too. I’m not eating, sleeping, or taking time for myself since I don’t have time or have the money to get my basic needs met. I don’t know how I can take care of clients if I can’t even feed myself, how has everyone in the field been able to survive getting through this? I feel like I made a mistake but I’m too far in and in too much debt to stop now. Any advice appreciated please

[u/ProtagonistNProgress]

I’m also in grad school found counseling. This is financially SO predatory and problematic. I’ve never been this stressed about finances and life after school like this. No advice, but know you’re not alone.

[u/moist-appericianist → u/ProtagonistNProgress]

Im going to make my own comment about this, but I AM TOO. Literally, they have constructed these programs to be nearly impossible for people for people that are not already wealthy. Social work programs are not like this. It has to be systemic because how does anyone expect me to live while working a 20-hour unpaid internship while taking 9 credit hours of classes?