How can a out-of-state student pay for the $30000 required each year to go to an out-of-state college?

Question

I want to go to a school Out of State. The estimated cost with R&B and personal expenses is $35,000 a year. WOW! I don't expect to get many scholarships, if any, I am from a lower-income family and I live only with my mom who makes less than 15,000 a year. How exactly can I pay for this education?

- How much will the government give in Fed-aid?

-How much can I earn from Federal Work Study?

- Can I attend this college without taking more than 5,000 a year in loans?

Answer 1

I've been in your exact situation before, and let me tell you it's not easy.

1st- Make sure you fill out the FAFSA early and accurately. It determines how much federal aid you'll get.

2nd- Don't underestimate yourself when it comes to scholarships. I ended up getting more than I thought. Search the internet and apply for anything and everything you can.

3rd- Federal work study is tricky. it usually doesn't pay very much, but every dollar helps. At my school we have this thing called phonathon that is separate from work study but still subsidized by the university. They pay much more than work study, so see if your school has anything like that.

As far as loans go, it's hard to say if you'll be able to get away without being up to your ears in debt. I have more loans than I should and it's goiing to take years to pay them off, but you never know.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Set up residence there before you intend to go. If you know someone there you could list their address as long as they are ok with it. Make sure to get a driver's license or ID there asap. Maybe move there as a room mate now. You also could see what grants and loans the school gives directly. As far as financial aid goes you would have to fill out the FAFSA to have those questions answered.  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ You can do work study, get grants and scholarships as well as get a job to pay for college while attending. Why not start out at a community college and start saving now by taking all the pre-requisite classes for the major at the out of state school. Just make sure what transfers and what won't.

Answer 3

Your financial aid will be less than you think...and your family contribution more than you ever thought it would be.

Moving to the state and living there for a year, putting off starting school, and establishing yourself as an independent would make your tuition cheaper (unless it's a private school).

Go to an in-state school...it's cheaper.

Or completely finance everything with student loans.