<prompt> Human: A friend of mine did poorly his first semester of school and lost financial aid. He now owes the school thousands of dollars before he can continue his education. Any alternative options for getting a loan? I could lend the money to him myself but would rather not do that.  <response>: He should take this time to evaluate his life and direction. Getting 2.0 means one of a few things: a he was not mature enough for college and had too much fun at the expense of studying; b he is at a school that is more rigorous than he can handle this is NOT a statement of his worth but a statement of plain fact - the value in education is learning, and a school that is too rigorous will not teach him as effectively as a different school; c he is in a program that does not suit his skills and interests; d college is not the right path for him altogether; e an external factor needs to be addressed before resuming his studies.He should work with friends, advisers and family to figure out the way forward, which is likely taking time off from school, transferring to a different more flexible program, or shifting focus away from college entirely. College is the ticket to prosperity for those who fit; it is a ticket to inescapable debt and misery for those who do not fit. Skilled trades are a different ticket to a different brand of prosperity that is no less valuable or honorable. Same with military service. Everyone is different. 