Introduce Yourself : Looking for Some Advise, Help, Guidance, Words of Wisdom by Angela Kelly

I really wasn't sure what topic to put this under, but since it's my first post, I figured Introduce Yourself was a good way to go. :) My name is Angela Kelly and I'm trying to get myself started in this industry. Two years ago I lost my job when the place I was working at did away with the position. I had spent years working and building up to get that job and I wasn't even full time for a year before they got rid of it. So I had some time to think about where I am in life and where I want to go and I realized that I'm most happy when I'm working in the entertainment world. Most of my experience is in theater, and the few films I have done for my friends have made me well aware that I need training on how to reel in the overacted stage presence that comes from 'acting for the back row'. So I decided to go back to school. I've been accepted at the New York Film Academy's LA campus for their Master of Fine Arts program in Acting for Film. Now here's where I'm looking for help. I've already spoken with a friend who is attending the school and he loves it there, but I'd really like to hear some other opinions. But what I'm REALLY having trouble with is financing to live in California. Between loans and grants, I have tuition completely covered, but I have nothing for living expenses. With the loss of my job, my credit score has plummeted and I have been unable to find a student loan as I also do not have a cosigner. I've already had to push my start date back twice and I'm running out of time for my next start date in January. Does anyone have any advice, help, suggestions, words of wisdom, thoughts, comments, concerns, critiques, etc., etc., etc. that might assist in pointing me in the right direction? From what I've been told, there will not be enough time to work while taking classes. That was one option I was looking into. So I'm asking for anything anyone can tell me and I will be very grateful for it! Thank you and I look forward to exploring this wonderful community! ^_^