Advice--Getting into the field of Criminal Justice\Law in Illinois?

[leland]

I'm in a catch 22.

I'm a 26 year old married mom. I only finished one year of college (at one of the top 10 Universities in the U.S.A. with excellent grades). I had to stop due to finances and can't return because of government loans and money owed. I haven't had the slightest mark on my record, not even a ticket.

Due to the money owed, I cannot receive a PERC card to get into private investigation or security work. I was going for a BA in criminal justice and a MA in criminal psychology and do want to return BUT I can't pay off my loans to get back in much less pay the tuition with my current employment. I would like to find a position that is associated with my desired career. If I'm not working as a criminal psychologist, I want to build up my experience in the field of criminal justice and my savings account. I'm tired of grabbing just any job to get by. I want something that looks good on my resume when I finally pay off my loans and finish my education.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.