My eldest daughter has been accepted to start a Certificate IV in
Massage Therapy Course at a local College, commencing early Feb
2003. She has paid almost $1000 deposit, but because she was made
redundant from her last job just prior to Christmas she is having
extreme difficulty obtaining a loan for the remaining $3000 needed for
her fees, which she has to pay prior to the course starting.

Is there ANYONE out there with any relevant ideas or hints about where
she could go for loan for her Course fees.  She has already completed
the pre-requisite Sports Massage course, in 2002.  It  would be
terrible for her not to be able to go on and do this Certificate
course because it has been her dream for a long time to start her own
business.  This aim has been reinforced by her being made redundant
from three jobs in the last 12 months (due to “downturn in business“),
and she never wants to work for a boss again. She is, however,
applying for every job she can, but again due to her age is finding it
increasingly difficult to even get an interview.

I am extremely worried about her, she is so depressed because she has
had such bad luck job-wise and now can't get the remainder of the
money she needs for her course. She has approached all the big banks
and because she is unemployed they don’t want to know her.  She is a
VERY hard worker and a good, caring Christian girl (34 yrs old), and I
know that completion of this dream would mean a whole new life for
her.

PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP WITH ANY VIABLE SUGGESTIONS???

Fast comment:
If you were willing and able, you could co-sign and/or provide
collateral for the loan. Also, if you own your home, then a home
equity line of credit or second mortgage is a possiblity. Note that
any of these strategies would make you obligated to repay the loan if
she couldn't.

Another quickie that I didn't research very much. Depending upon the
state you are in, there may be a loan/grant program run by the state.
California has one that it seems your daughter might qualify for:

http://csac.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/csac.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=23

You might want to mention what state you are in for the benefit of
other researchers who might be looking into this sort of thing.