Although employers in this particular field aren't as impressed with paper as most other fields, I have some volunteer experience which will be really helpful once I have a fantastic portfolio to blow them away with. Right now I only have a very partial skillset, so school is necessary. I also need loans to fix health problems so that I can guarantee getting to work every day, and student loans are the easiest loans to get.

Right now I could work part-time (if it was an office job), but at minimum wage that wouldn't even cover the cost of rent and transportation, much less bills or investments in a better future or a bit of fun now and then!