So you've moved out to the big city and you're ready to meet new and like-minded people. You could try to attend every social networking event out there, but let's face it, being a full-time schmoozer can become daunting. And while there's no doubt the internet is changing the way we meet and communicate, it still doesn't compare to meeting people the old-fashioned way: face to face and fully clothed. Let's also imagine you haven't landed any work yet. Nothing can make you feel lazy quite like free time can. A solution: take a class.

Going back to school can be a big financial investment. We've already gone through application costs, so now we'll turn our attention to some of the big ticket items of attendance. Though these expenses can be significant, they should not deter you from enrollment. The whole point of gathering this information is to make school do-able for you. With a little preparation, you can budget better (or even get scholarships!) for an over-all less stressful experience.

School is expensive. Tuition, books, transportation, room and board...the list goes on and on. Hopefully, you managed to figure out how to get a scholarship for all that stuff. Chances are, though, that you need to take out some loans. Turns out, the government wants to help you (mostly) and has a few different options for borrowing bucks to fund that study habit. Like many worthwhile endeavours, getting your hands on that loan money will require a bit of effort from you. Here's a cheat sheet (compiled the hard way as usual. Sigh.).

As some of us reclaim our student status with degrees and certifications, we often run into one of the great hidden expenses of education. Namely, our course materials. Textbooks and other assigned reading can end up costing as much as your class. And, that can be a lot of extra dough to have to come up with. Before you decide to stay dumb because it's cheaper, check out our suggestions for saving on textbooks.

It's that time of time of year, children! Tuition is up, classes are cut, making it tougher than ever to continue our education. Moreover, not only do we have to pay for tuition, books, an supplies, some of us even have to cover room, board, coffee, and the occasional drink. (We need to stay sane somehow). Lucky for you, I’ve got a little tip that may help you keep a bit more cash in your pockets: Community College. I know, most of you cringed when reading that, but please let me make my case before saying 'no thank you'. The community college experience does not have to be that of high school with ashtrays. Whether you are thinking about returning to school for the first time in a while,deciding that paying for a university right off the bat is just too much, or just at a crossroads in your life, community college could the answer you're looking for.

Vitamin C might or might not be right about the whole "friends forever" thing, but graduation itself certainly can be a fun time. Grad school, technical school, or high school, there's plenty to celebrate at any age. Don't let the terrible job market worry you just yet. The future is a-comin' plenty fast, so take a moment or two to self-congratulate and do a few silly things just for yourself or a friend.

If you are considering a Masters or PhD, you need to get realistic about the costs of application and attendance. It's definitely not cheap. However, the beauty of making a list of expenses is that you may be able to find someone else to pay for them, or, at the very least, find places to cut corners. If you're smart enough for grad school, you better be smart enough to get prepared.

The thing about going back to school is that it's not always so simple.  It's not like BOOM and your bummy self has been magically transported to the exalted realms of academia.  There are a lot of factors to take into consideration.  Thus, the best place to start is to break out ye old pen and paper and make a Pros and Cons list (that doesn't mean the best hooker and your favorite inmate).  If you're even half way serious, it's time to sit yourself down and start considering.