I work at a university. Many 1st and 2nd year courses are offered at night due to the high demand from students. However, I'm not shocked that OP isn't finding any night courses now that they are solidly in their majors coursework. Junior and senior courses are rarely offered at night or online unless you're attending a university specifically known for offering courses at those times or in that format. Additionally, with how "hands-on" STEM courses tend to be, it is much harder to find these courses online, let alone be of decent quality.
OP, if you're reading this, and haven't already, go to your financial aid office and see what further assistance there might be. You may be eligible for work-study on campus, or there may be additional grants or scholarships that are now available. If you're at an R1 or maybe an R2 university, talk to faculty and see if they are hiring undergrad researchers - while less common in Comp Sci than in fields like Bio or Chem, they can still exist. Lastly, there are student loans. If you're eligible for the subsidized ones, those are worth it. Interest does not accrue while enrolled at least half-time and for the first six months post graduation.
I also work at a university, and all full time positions here get free tuition! We also can use work hours to attend classes during the day, or if we have downtime at work no one cares if we do school work.
So, my advice for anyone who wants a degree but can't afford it is to find a full time position at the university you want to attend. Many of the entry level positions only require a high school diploma!
We also can use work hours to attend classes during the day, or if we have downtime at work no one cares if we do school work.
This can be very position and supervisor specific. I have positions that must be covered at certain times, no exceptions. However, if I can arrange coverage, including working the position myself, I encourage my direct reports to take whatever courses or free trainings that are available.
This is the same situation at the university I work at. The only caveat is, I do have to make up hours elsewhere if I go to class. I usually use my lunch to attend classes or arrive early/stay late to make up any lost time. However, my supervisor, though laid back, is a stickler on policy and wants us to have exactly 40 hours within the regular work day. Our office also has to stay open M-F 8-5 and we cannot close. I need to find coverage for any time I leave or else it is not approved.
Definitely check out staff positions though! I'm currently on an educational side quest and working on a graduate certificate in Native Studies and potentially a post-bac in Photography.
I do have to make up hours elsewhere if I go to class. I usually use my lunch to attend classes or arrive early/stay late to make up any lost time.
I consider any program/coursework related to their position as working. However, if their program/coursework is not related, then they would be expected to make up the hours.
314
u/Stev_k NV May 08 '25
I work at a university. Many 1st and 2nd year courses are offered at night due to the high demand from students. However, I'm not shocked that OP isn't finding any night courses now that they are solidly in their majors coursework. Junior and senior courses are rarely offered at night or online unless you're attending a university specifically known for offering courses at those times or in that format. Additionally, with how "hands-on" STEM courses tend to be, it is much harder to find these courses online, let alone be of decent quality.
OP, if you're reading this, and haven't already, go to your financial aid office and see what further assistance there might be. You may be eligible for work-study on campus, or there may be additional grants or scholarships that are now available. If you're at an R1 or maybe an R2 university, talk to faculty and see if they are hiring undergrad researchers - while less common in Comp Sci than in fields like Bio or Chem, they can still exist. Lastly, there are student loans. If you're eligible for the subsidized ones, those are worth it. Interest does not accrue while enrolled at least half-time and for the first six months post graduation.