Finance college without grant or scholarships?

Question

For daughter: We "make too much" on the FAFSA. I got a loan for her last year, but they won't renew it. No one will give us or her a loan. Scholarships are bust (white/healthy) even the essay ones. She gets unsub. Stafford and $3k FRAG from state. Still $10k short. She was Dean's list last year - heartbroken not to continue. Anyone know of a miracle? We're praying!

Answer 1

ask relatives, through a benefit, ask local banks, ask the college - sometimes college finanical aid offices will give  you more if you ask. Have her join work study at school.

ask the financial aid office about subbized and unsubbzied stafford loans.

Also, you can take out a parent plus loan for the cost of school - finanical aid. It doesnt have to be paid til after she graduates from school.

Answer 2

She can attend a perfectly good public college for what she is getting in government Stafford loans.  It it sounds like it is YOUR choice that she STOP school because it's not private, not hers.  

Private schools are all well and good for those who can afford them, but not exactly a necessity for those who can't.  (hence the limited gov. loan amounts).  If she can't attend a private school on federal grants, loans, and the scholarships she offers then HONESTLY it's not a very good private school!!

Also, I'm sorry you think think that private (more expensive) schools will keep her safer.  On the grand scheme of things, public schools get MORE funding for their students than any private school out there.  

DON"T make her stop college because you think she (and you can't afford it) because you can... you are choosing for her not to.

Also keep in mind that no employer is going to pay her a higher salary because she (or you) choose for her to go to a private expensive college.  Psych majors need to be wary esp. because it is a poor paying field and there is nothing worse than a psych major graduating with 120K worth of debt, and only getting a 24K salary when they graduate from college.

Answer 3

You or she pays it.  Put it on a credit card, get a home equity loan, sell some assets, get a 2nd job, work overtime...  pick one or two or all of these.  

$10K is not a huge amount if you're this close.  I paid for most of my college costs myself - I had 5 W2 statements one year, so I know it's possible.  You can moan about the horrendous costs, or get moving and get it done.  Which will you choose?

edit:

"Lazy" was your word, not mine.

I grew up as one of 4 kids, raised by a single parent who had lousy credit and worked 2 jobs, and had more than one divorce.  There was a bit of money left after the sale of the house to put some aside for us for college, but not very much.  And most of it got spent on other expenses as time went by.

Remember that bit about 5 W2 statements?  That's the truth.  I scrambled for jobs.  I took out a loan on my car each fall, and paid for it with jobs at school, and at home during the summer.  By the way - those loans helped me get a decent credit rating when I was still in my early 20's.  Maybe she can get a job, and pay to get her car fixed?  You're right - I don't know your situation, so that's just a thought.

As to the "Transgendered issues" class - why not take it?  I'm going to guess you're fairly religious.  If she gets to become a psychologist, is she going to turn down patients who aren't the same religion as you?  Is skipping this class her idea, or yours?  

There ARE ways to make it happen.  There's an old saying among the christians - God helps those that help themselves.

My point is that I still hear you coming up with excuses - we don't have the money;  she'll have to take a class that offends her.  Her car is broken.  I'm saying that if you AND SHE get out and work, you can find a way to make this happen.  Maybe it won't be this year.  Maybe she'll have to stay home and flip burgers, or clean houses, or sell t-shirts at The Gap to save for school.  I understand high tuition bills VERY well - my son leaves for school in Los Angeles this fall, and I live about 12 states away from there.  Care to trade tuition bills?

I don't mean to offend with all of this, but I do mean to motivate.  So I'll ask you again - are you going to moan, or are you going to let her work, to pick an affordable school, to talk to their admissions officers and Financial Aid office, to your church, the local Kiwanis or K of C or other fraternal organizations about scholarships?  Or here's another idea - have her join the ROTC, and get the government to pay for her education.  Yes, she'll probably have to go to active duty afterwards.  But the military doesn't usually put psychologists in the front lines, and they sure is going to need them for years after this war ends.  What better way to get a jump on life, as well as a bucket-load of experience?  

There are ways to get this done, if you don't limit yourself.

Answer 4

If you get loans and you're still $10K short, it sounds like she's going to a school that's too expensive for your family's budget. Sorry, but the only alternative may be for her to switch to a state school.

Have her do her lower level courses at the state school while she works and saves everything she can, and maybe she can afford to transfer back in to the school she wants to go to for her last year. Even if she can't, there's plenty of state school graduates who have very successful careers.

Answer 5

what is white/healthy?

try my rich uncle