College financial aid... fafsa, student loans... so on...?

Question

I'm want to go to a private 4 year college next year (advertising design is ONLY offered at private colleges) and I need money. I have received a couple of scholarships but tutition is still going to be about $20,000. Plus living expenses it'll be 30K. My parents refuse to pay for it since they thing getting an arts degree is stupid so... I'm stuck making the decisions. I figured out if I get a loan I'll be repaying it forever and ever since there is nothing lower than 6.5 % interest I have heard and I have only found 8.5%. My parents make a pretty good income so I won't be getting Federal money... unless does the qualification from FAFSA depend on the tuition of the college you want to attend? I don't know where to get the money. 30 K is just so much. Help plz.

Answer 1

Perhaps they don't think getting a liberal arts degree is all that stupid, perhaps they think that paying 30K a year or ($120,000  for 4 years) is stupid when you have to borrow to get it.

Advertising design isn't ONLY offered at private schools.  lol  It's called marketing, advertising, design, etc at other schools.  If you have found this major and its "exactly what you want and only offered at X school in the country" then its obviously not a well sought after career.  Think of the rules of supply and demand here and look at many schools in your state.

You CAN borrow money in your name when you apply for fafsa regardless of how high your folks income is.  However you do not get to borrow more because you have chosen a high cost school.  Freshman dependents can only borrow 3,500 per year in Stafford loans.  (Which is why state and community colleges are so popular)

If you really have your hopes set on this school and want further funding to go, your best bet would be to talk to this school and find out about their scholarships.  I'm sure you aren't the only one who doesn't have 30K laying around.  If the school can't offer you the option on going with federal student loans and scholarships (without resorting to private student loans) then you need to find a better school.