Student Loans :(

[Guest VictoriaClarizio]

Hi! I'm new here so I'm sorry if this has been discussed already. I'm sure its something that concerns many people discerning religious life though.

College graduation is fast approaching and I'm hoping to join an order of Franciscan Sisters as soon as possible. However that requires me to miraculously take care of all of my debt...

I am totally entrusting this to God and plan to say many novenas to overcome this obstacle. However I was also wondering if anyone has ideas about taking care of student loans.

[FutureSister2009]

There are organizations like the Laboure Society and the Mater Ecclesie (I can't spell and I think thats what it's called) Fund that help with stuff like this. Google them

[InPersonaChriste]

Welcome to phatmass! Prayers on your discernment journey!

[TheresaThoma]

I would definitely check into the two groups that FutureSister suggested. Also try some fundraising on your own (bake sales, benefit dinner etc), ask if anyone at your parish might be able to help you. The Knights of Columbus can be a great resource. Another idea that I have heard is ask friends and family to help you out with your student loans rather than getting you gifts for your birthday/Christmas/graduation.
If you have a particular craft or something that you can make try finding a venue to sell it at to help pay down your loans. Every little bit helps!

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='TheresaThoma' timestamp='1323673050' post='2349679']
I would definitely check into the two groups that FutureSister suggested. Also try some fundraising on your own (bake sales, benefit dinner etc), ask if anyone at your parish might be able to help you. The Knights of Columbus can be a great resource. Another idea that I have heard is ask friends and family to help you out with your student loans rather than getting you gifts for your birthday/Christmas/graduation.
If you have a particular craft or something that you can make try finding a venue to sell it at to help pay down your loans. Every little bit helps!
[/quote]

amesome ideas there, I might have to use some of them myself. I've been worrying about my loans lately too.
Perhaps see if there are any other discerners you know and group together to fundraise. More hands, more money!
Good luck and God bless you on your journey into religious life. Keeping you in my prayers!

[Lisa]

to Phatmass!

I second the idea of the Knights. Local chapters get a "refund" back from the national organization for helping men/women enter religious life. [url="http://www.kofc.org/un/en/vocations/rsvp/index.html"]http://www.kofc.org/un/en/vocations/rsvp/index.html[/url]

Serra Clubs, which is a Catholic organization specifically to promote vocations may be able to help you. Something like organizing a fundraising dinner, a talent show, etc. can raise quite a bit of money. [url="http://www.serraus.org/"]http://www.serraus.org/[/url]

Contact the diocesan newspaper: see if they will write an article.

A fundraising blog: this takes quite a bit of time, but one woman in particular caught the eye of some of the bigger Catholic bloggers who advertised for her. And, it's a great way to keep people updated on your fundraising. I would talk to your superior to make sure it's ok, though.

Sell some stuff and seriously cut back (not that I don't think you are, it's just a good reminder for all of us, I think): If you are planning to enter religious life, you probably don't need the latest iphone or android. So if it comes time to upgrade, don't! Consider taking some unnecessary items to a pawn shop or second-hand clothing store that pays. If debt isn't a struggle, obviously it would be good to donate these items.

Other creative solutions: run a marathon and get publicity/donations, make and sell rosaries, send around a video link to friends and family, asking them to pass it on. See if your community will allow pledges, which mean someone will handle your loans, and people will pay until you make final vows (some communities allow this, some don't)

[i<3franciscans]

Welcome to Phat Mass and our discerning Phamily! I would highly recommended the Knights!!

[Strictlyinkblot]

Welcome to Phatmass. As I'm dealing with debt myself you have my sympathies

[Gemma_Kateri]

Ok something weird happened where I didn't have a "real" account when I posted this thread, but this is Victoria. Thanks for all the great ideas! I don't have too much debt and have already looked into some of the things mentioned. I have a blog ([url="http://writerwithacause.wordpress.com/"]http://writerwithacause.wordpress.com/[/url]) and I'm going to start focusing that on discernment. My dad is in KOC so that should help

I didn't know about the Serra Club though so I'll look into that.

I feel like this is a big obstacle for many people and maybe the Church should take a serious look the problem of debt.

[faithcecelia]

Debt is now, unfortunately, a fact of life for most people. I was up to my eyes when I began discerning first time around, and could not see how I could possibly repay it in a sensible amount of time. However I worked hard - 2 jobs, living [i]extremely[/i] frugally, selling whatever I could, etc - and continued discerning based on faith. I set my entry date as one the community felt was a good time, but couldnt on paper see me being out of debt by then. Then I just handed it to God, kept doing my bits and stopped doing the sums as they made me panic! I was out of debt a full 6mths before my entry date. God really does provide when we trust him.

[i<3LSOP]

Welcome to PM!