u/Key-Anxiety1293

tuition is $20,000 for my two year program. my SAI was around $13k and i was only offered unsubsidized loans for my MSW program. i make about $50k a year, live independently in LA county, and will probably have to quit my job because of the full time program + 20 hour/week unpaid field placement. (i will try to move my work to part-time, but this is contingent on management approval)

i feel like fafsa completely ignores the reality of living independently in a high cost area while doing an unpaid internship. i genuinely don’t understand how people financially survive MSW programs without family support.

has anyone successfully appealed their aid package or found ways to make this work?

hi everyone

i’m starting my msw in fall 2026 at a california state university (2 year full time program) and i think i just need some reassurance and advice from people who get it

i graduated with my ba in sociology in 2023 and have been working in an admin role at a nonprofit and i just feel really stuck. like i’m not actually doing the kind of hands on work that made me want to go into social work in the first place. also living in los angeles is no joke and it feels like entry level roles don’t pay enough to actually live (currently making $50k)

the bigger issue is my family is not supportive** **at all. they think i should rely on my fiancé financially, have kids, and be a stay at home mom. (i’m 25) but we’re not in a place for that and also that’s just not what i want right now. i want a career and i want to feel like i’m growing and doing something meaningful

i feel like getting my msw is the right move for me but it’s hard when the people around you don’t see it that way

when i told my mom i got into grad school, her response was “well now i feel stupid,” and that honestly stuck with me more than i expected. she doesn’t have a college education, and instead of it feeling like a proud moment, it just felt heavy and uncomfortable. since then i’ve felt pretty alone in this decision and in the lack of support from my family. it’s hard not to internalize that and start questioning if i’m actually making the right choice, even though deep down i felt sure about it before.

i think i just need to hear from people who have been here before. was getting your msw worth it for you? did it actually lead to better opportunities or feeling more fulfilled? how did you deal with people not supporting your decision?

would really appreciate any reassurance or real experiences 🤍 thanks in advance!