Thinking about going back to school.

[QuestioningEverything]

Just looking for your inputs I currently not sure what I'm going to do. So here is the deal I'm 27 mtf 5 months on hrt and still presenting as a gender queer male. I have a fulltime job with benefits and thinking about quitting and going back to school fulltime in the fall. I happen to be lucky and have a good enough savings that I can get by a year without a job. I'll totally be broke after that but it will give me enough time to get transitioning and legal matters sorted out so I'd be able to start applying as a women after that! The thing is that the idea of transitioning on the job scares me, I don't like my job and I'm wanting to go back to school anyways so why not go for it? But the loss of income and loosing my insurance also scares the crap out of me. I just feel so stuck and miserable I have no idea what to do. Any tips or suggestion?

[nicolegn7]

I'd totally go for it! See if you can take out Federal Loans and Student loans to cover some transition related expenses. Yea student loans suck but nothing beats being yourself and having money to transition.

[Ms Grace]

There are benefits to getting a job after you've transitioned, no need to come out to colleagues, no having to put up with them slipping with your old name and pronouns. Also, I've found that applying for work in girl mode has seen me more relaxed and natural in interviews (still hasn't gotten me a job though... and typically women find it harder to get jobs).

On the flip side, if you have a job then you have more financial security. Could you maybe do school part time while still working? If you really loathe the job then by all means quit but otherwise you need to think about how to stop from eating into your savings if you quit (you'll probably need $$ for electro/laser and clothes amongst other things). You don't really want to be in a position of looking for a job as a woman when you have no money left, better to be doing it with something behind you at least.

[QuestioningEverything]

Well I'm going in on Monday and seeing if I can talk to someone about classes. I really dont want to work and take  classes at the same time I've tried that like 3 time already and just end up dropping out so I feel like I have to go back to school full time or not go back at all. I maybe able to move back in with my dad so that would cut down on the rent a bit. Other then the money issue do you think tell them I'm trans when I register for classes? not sure if I should just stay in boy mod for a semester or 2 or come out right away. I'm 5 months on hrt but still dont really pass and still having a hard time letting myself explore my feminine side but a lot can change between now and September.

[FTMax]

School is a good time to get transition over and done with. I wish I had gone that route. But I don't know that I would've quit my job to go back to school and have time to transition. Having benefits and a stable income has been absolutely integral to the success of my transition thus far.

The services that I access for HRT cost me about $120 for my copayment, lab work copayment, hormones and needles. That is for 3 months worth of stuff. If I didn't have insurance I'd have to get on the sliding scale at my doctors office, which can take several weeks. If it wasn't planned at the proper time, I might have to take a few weeks off of hormones. I'd also be paying a small fee to the doctor, the same amount for hormones, and over $500 for bloodwork that then wouldn't be covered.

It presents a very different logistical picture without benefits. And if nobody administering HRT in your area does a sliding scale for low income patients, you will burn through money quick.

[Marly]

on your quote "Other then the money issue do you think tell them I'm trans when I register for classes?

I think you should tell them. They will have tips and resources available and it's good to have those right away. It will still be your decision whether to present as female in your studies..whether right away, or as time and the wonderful changes to your body happen.
As for the money issue, perhaps you can pick up student employment, or a part-time job.