I recently completed an associate's degree in Cybersecurity and planned to continue into a bachelor's program, but I just learned that I don't qualify for the scholarship I was counting on. I currently work full-time as a salesperson at a car dealership and have people depending on me financially, so paying for classes out of pocket feels risky—especially if my work schedule causes me to fail a course. I don't want to give up on finishing my degree, but I also can't afford to waste money. Would it make more sense to work and save first, find a less expensive or online program, take fewer classes, look for a job with tuition assistance, or pursue another path into IT? I'm feeling overwhelmed and would appreciate advice from anyone who has faced a similar situation.
4 Answers
Try applying for help desk, desktop support, or junior IT roles while studying for an entry-level certification such as CompTIA A+. Cybersecurity jobs often expect practical IT experience first. The market is competitive, but an IT position can give you income, experience, and possibly tuition assistance while you work toward the bachelor’s degree.
Don’t assume the degree is the only route into the field. Smaller IT companies and managed service providers may care more about what you can actually do than whether you already have four years of school. Learn troubleshooting, networking, systems administration, and basic security, then use that experience to move into better roles. You can keep working on the degree part-time as your situation improves.
There’s no shame in taking fewer classes or temporarily stopping if your current workload makes passing uncertain. Build an emergency fund and compare the total cost of online programs carefully, including transfer credits and fees. A flexible, competency-based program may let you resume later without taking on as much financial risk.
Before committing to more tuition, look for entry-level IT jobs and employers that offer education benefits. State universities, larger companies, and some managed service providers may help pay for courses. Even if you pause school for a semester or two, getting relevant experience and reducing the financial pressure could put you in a much better position to finish later.
That path can work, but I’d still keep the degree on the long-term plan because some employers and promotions require one. Practical experience and education together will give you more options later.