Can I ever get a graduate degree without loans? How?

You could look into scholarships available. You might also contact the university you are interested in attending to look into working as a graduate assistant. There are teaching assistants who work with undergrads either teaching for leading discussion and study groups, or research assistants who help with research in a specific discipline.

@SuperMouse Where is that link supposed to take you? It reverses to this post.

@Yeahright darn it! It is too late to edit. It should go to Fastweb.

Nope

@SuperMouse I took a look at Fastweb. I could not complete the registration; I could not enter home address, zip code and phone number information. I am from India (Asia).

Look into fellowships and teaching grants. Talk to instructors at the school you’ll be attending as well as the financial aid office.

@prasad perhaps there is a similar site in your country that might work for you.

@SuperMouse I don’t know. I will search though.

I am not totally eliminated schools from India from my search, but it’s for some reasons that I would prefer to study abroad.
1. Courses in India are quite theoretical. And there is almost no funding available (e.g. for research).
2. Educational institutes here are stereotypical. I cannot change my field of study, from say engineering to arts. And there is age limit too. I am 28 and crossed that limit now.
3. I will get additional benefit of exposure which is much sought here.

@prasad you could do some research and come up with some schools you might be interested in attending. Then contact those schools to see if they have programs for international students wanting to earn graduate degrees; contact the heads of those programs. They should be able to provide you with information on how you might be able to finance your own degree. I know the university (in the U.S.) I am currently attending has a huge international student population and an active international recruitment program.

We definitely need to find you a scholarship or fellowship of some sort. A lot of schools undergrad have increased prices for international students, even beyond the rate of our of state students if it is a public university. I don’t know how in demand the grad degrees you are interested in are? The more demand the more likely there is money available. Ok, so far I have been no help.

I do have an idea. Industrial Enginnering in the US is very similar to the course study of Packaging Engineering, which is very specialized. My school, Michigan State University, is one of the few that offers that degree. Packaging can be more visual, not only materials, shape and transport issues for items, but also can work hand in hand with design and marketing for shelf appeal, that sort of thing. So I wonder if you can take some courses and get your packaging degree alone with some sort of minor in visual something or other? So, less course work, and a faster means to an end? The link I gave above goes directly to the packaging school, maybe if you read through it, it will give you some ideas?

Do your schools have evening classes? Here, we can work all day then go to classes at night. The cost of the classes is usually reasonable for a working person.

I have a friend who worked every other year for six years. He saved up money during his work year and then took a year of school. It took longer, but he paid for the whole thing.

My grad school had graduate assistants for labs and some classes. paid a few dollars free tuition.

Have you considered Europe? Many countries now offer graduate programs in English.

@SuperMouse I have not finalized any schools yet. I don’t know how I should go search. I am relying on USnews for now. I have list of universities for Operations Research, Industrial engineering, and fine arts. As you said, I will contact the department heads. Also, I have learned that graduate assistants or research or teaching assistants can get a waiver on tuition, plus they are paid some amount.
I don’t know if I can qualify for top tier of universities – Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Cambridge, Oxford, etc. My GRE and TOEFL scores don’t seem up to the mark. I will try though.

@JLeslie Regarding demand of OR, I have found Bureau of Labor Statistics and Trends and opportunities in OR, and in India. I guess there are funds available in that field. I don’t know about funding in visual arts. I am under impression that schools in Michigan are too out of my reach like that of Stanford or Harvard. The packaging program looks very specialized. I read through courses; and I guess I may qualify. I will take a deeper look at it and at its scenario in India. Thanks for that.

@YARNLADY That looks an interesting and feasible option. I need to find a job first near the school. Even though it will take longer to complete, but it’s definitely path of no loan!

@Tropical_Willie Yes, I need to try to get graduate assistant position. That is another way without getting scholarships.

@mattbrowne Europe will do for me. I just don’t have knowledge of which universities are good. Could you suggest a few? I have found this page. I guess England, Germany and France would be top ones. And interestingly, education in Scandinavia is free. There, I will have to take care of living expenses though. Can I work part time or something like that?

Thank you everyone for taking your time to write in and help me!

@prasad – I’d recommend Sweden and Germany. Most German university offering engineering degrees are above average on an international level. A few are top level such as RWTH Aachen. Here are a few useful links:

http://www.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/international-programmes/07535.en.html

http://www.indobase.com/study-abroad/countries/germany/masters-programs-in-germany.html

http://www.mastersportal.eu/

http://www.fu-berlin.de/en/studium/studienangebot/english/index.html

You will find many German universities in this ranking list

http://www.universityportal.net/2007/07/top-100-european-universites-ranking.html

Yes, with a student visa you can also work.

@mattbrowne Thank you very much. I will go through it. There are more than many universities that offer courses in English; I didn’t know that. German cars are benchmark and world class! ...so is the research!

Thank you everyone! My efforts were quite desultory, your advice has indeed given me a direction or a way to follow. It will take some time, but I will let you know when I have any news. Thank you again!

Well, just recently I have got a job as a faculty (in Mechanical Engineering) in an engineering college. This solves little bit of my current problems. From coming Monday, I am to start the new job. For now, I will be teaching Engineering Graphics (engineering drawing) to first year engineering students. So, I would now request you to advise me with this new perspective.
Following questions may be relevant.

How to make my voice louder?
louder/
How can I improve my English communication? and communication indeed?
How can I improve my presentation and presentation skills?
Teaching techniques

Is the job where you live? Or, in another country?

@prasad I’m very late to this discussion. Sorry about that.

First, congratulations on nailing a teaching position that will let you continue your graduate studies. That’s great news.

As to the list of questions above, they all appear to center around your wishes to do a great job teaching, and I would suggest that simply having that goal in mind is a great starting point toward its realization. Ask your students. Share with them your trepidation and your desire to do well. Some will just slough it off or even use it to try to play manipulative games. But many will do their best to help you be a great teacher. Doing so serves their interests every bit as much as it does yours.

Good luck with the new assignment. Do let us know how it goes after you settle in.

@JLeslie The job is here only, where I live, in India. For now, that’s okay; I need to save a little before taking on any further education. But, this does not mean I will drop further education from my agenda. In fact, if I am to stay as a teacher or a professor, I need a PhD. Teaching experience may help me teaching assistant position. I think I should pursue further education in Europe or America. Because, I will get to know latest technological advancements and simultaneously I would get exposure, and then I will get to see new places and people too.

@ETpro Thank you. Actually, you are not late; I posted above response yesterday. Save for last question, I asked all other questions from different angle but that I will have to tackle in teaching too. I will share my experience. And since, I have worked with both international and English standards, and I know some applications, that may add to my advantage. I will remember your suggestions.

By the way, Happy Friendship Day!!!

@prasad Thanks for the Friendship Day wishes. and though it is probably past Aug. 5th there now, same to you and all our friends on Fluther.