School notes...

Well, COOL. I was awarded a Federal Pell Grant that will cover my tuition for the 2006/2007 school year (it's considered 2006 even though I'm starting with the Spring 2007 semester). In fact, the amount was more than 3 times the cost of my classes, so I'll have quite a bit left over that can be used for art supplies and "living expenses". Not to mention hanging on to some of it in case I don't get any grants etc for the 2007-2008 year starting in the fall; I made more money this last year so I may not be eligible for any more grants.

Hubby's now excited about me going to school. At first he wanted me to wait, but now he's suggesting I go ahead and get a bachelors degree rather than just an associates. True, I could probably get a much better job with a bachelors. But man, that's 2 MORE years! Let's see how I survive the first 2 years, then go from there.

I did some checking around on the Net looking up local universities with bachelors art programs. It looks like my choices are Texas Christian University in Fort Worth or University of North Texas up in Denton. Honestly, I'd rather like to go to TCU if possible (that's a big "if"). TCU has a Bachelors in Fine Arts degree in Studio Art, which I could develop into an Illustration career among others. Plus, they're in the middle of the Fort Worth arts district, a good connection to become a part of. HOWEVER... it costs $11,000 a semester... ouch! $22,000 a year, so over $44,000 for the 2 years to get a bachelors? A big difference from the little $650 it'll cost me at Tarrant County this year. We'll have to see what kind of shape we're in when that time comes... but I'll damn sure have to apply for their arts scholarship. According to the university's website the scholarship is largely based on your art portfolio, so hopefully I can amass enough works to show some prospective talent. Otherwise I'll have those pesky student loans to haunt me the rest of my life. Well, like I said, we'll see... it's a couple years away. It's a goal anyway.