Are there any financial aid options that I am missing?

Question

Due to my parents income, I do not get any aid from filing my FAFSA. However, my parents are not helping me pay for college. I have tried for scholarships, but I only have a 3.0 college GPA right now (I got a scholarship for my state testing scores paying for my community college associates degree, I just finished my first year), and that won't get me anything merit based, and I have severe asthma and cant do sports, and I've been trying essay contests but havent won anything yet. So I can't count on scholarships. I asked my parents about loans, but my mom told me they have bad credit and can't cosign anything for me. They won't discuss the matter any further and have resigned themselves to the fact that we can't afford for me to go to college.

Is there an option I don't know about?

Answer 1

Student loans are financial aid and they are NOT credit based nor do you need your parents to cosign for you.

Take the initiative and do whatever it takes to get yourself an education. Even though you need to put your parent's information on the FAFSA, does not mean you need to be dependent on them for everything else.

Answer 2

You did not state if the school gave you any Stafford Loans.  For the past 2 years, the Department of Education has increased amounts for students considerably.  First year students can receive $3500, second year students $4500 and 3&4 year students $5500.  In addition, this year students can also receive an additional $2000 unsubsidized Stafford Loan to these amounts.

In your case, you said your mom has bad credit.  If you mother applies for a PLUS loan for you at the school and it is denied because of her credit, the school is obligated to give you an additional $4000 unsibsidized Stafford Loan in your name.

You need to go to the financial aid office and ask them about these different types of loans.  Find someone who is knowledgeable such as a supervisor or director because these regulations are fairly recent.

Good Luck