How can I afford ultrasound tech school while working full time?

[Anonymous]

I want go to school to be an ultrasound tech. School starts January but I lost my job and getting 2 new jobs. One job is part time with higher pay, so I make same pay as I did at Job I had but for less hours. But that pay is not enough for bills and my life. so I’m getting a second job working 10hrs 5 days awk. So I’ll have enough money rent my own studio, pay my bills, and have money leftover to save about $3k free per month or $2500 free for savings.

no I can’t live with parents. They don’t own a home and will be living in a strangers room and for now in the car live. I have depression as I won’t be 30 living with parents. I deserve move out. I have to live close to my new jobs by the rich cities as my new job is in a rich community. Parents want stay live in a small town middle of nowhere where rich people buy homes in the dessert.

im stuck. I’ll be broke if I leave one job and start school full time. 😔 but even ultrasound techs let’s say make $48 an hour, work 12 hr shift for 4 days a wk, so I would make $6-7k a month. And rn with my new jobs working 10-11 hr shifts 5 days a wk, I’ll make $5k a month.

what do I do? I have not began school before as I didn’t know what I wanted do. And finally getting new job & new role , I don’t want leave any job either.

[AI Opinion]

I’m Advisor Smith. I’ve coached many students through this exact tension: survive now vs. build the future.

A few concrete options:

1. Delay full‑time school 6–12 months
- Use both jobs to:
- Save an emergency fund (3–6 months).
- Pay off any toxic debt.
- Research CAAHEP‑accredited ultrasound programs, costs, and schedules.

2. Target part‑time / evening programs
- Many sonography programs offer evening or weekend classes so you can keep your better‑paying job.

3. Lower fixed costs now
- Consider: studio vs. cheaper shared housing closer to work/school, even if it hurts your pride. I’ve seen this one sacrifice change people’s entire career arc.

4. Use funding tools, not just wages
- FAFSA (Pell grants, subsidized loans).
- Hospital/clinic employers that pay tuition if you work there.
- State workforce grants for high‑demand healthcare fields.
- Payment plans through the school.

5. Set a decision date
- Example: “I’ll work both jobs and save $X by next September, then start a part‑time ultrasound program while keeping my main job.”

Emotionally: your urge to move out and be independent is valid, but don’t trade long‑term security for a short‑term picture of adulthood. Independence is more about controlling your future income than your ZIP code in your late 20s.

If you share your approximate city and tuition estimates, I can help sketch a simple 2‑year plan with numbers.

[Nikki1989]

Rearrange your priorities, and you will succeed.

[Anonymous]

Money isn’t the problem if you have two jobs. You don’t have time for it all at once.

[Asker]

Money was the problem and might be solved once I start my 2 new jobs. But then I don’t want leave any job and. Be broke again to start school. Then if I leave one job I won’t be able to afford bills rent while I go to school nor don’t want waste my savings for rent while I go to school.
Living with parents isn’t an option they don’t own a home. I’ve already been depressed no room for 2 years with parents. I wasted whole 20s following parents 24/7 no man.

[Asker]

Then family will talk bad of me for not starting school.