Where can I apply for free tuition for college?

Question

I live in San Diego Ca and I recently got accepted to Cal State University San Marcos. I am a transfer student from community college. I am 21 years old so I am still considered a dependant under my parents. I no longer live with them so I do not get any financial support from them. They make too much money so I can't apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Although I work a full time job, there is no way I can afford to pay for school. Is there any other types of financial aid I can apply for? I do not want to apply for school loans. Please someone help!!

Answer 1

As to your point that it would be more money on top of your bills, that is not exactly true. If you go through FAFSA and take out Stafford Loans, then they are deferred as long as you are in school at least half time.

As to you getting scholarships/grants, all I can say is for a good school unless you have a 4 point GPA and can hit an awesome 3-point shot, I don think you will get it completely paid for without a little from yourself. You can look at websites like fastweb, and contact Cal State U's Financial aid office, and see if they have a list of scholarships available for their school.

All in all, if you want a good education, you have to pay for it. You just pay now with student loans, or in 10 to 20 years when the price is double what it is now, and you still can't afford it, because all the good jobs that pay enough require a degree.

Answer 2

Have you try to get a scholarship? Each provider has different rules. Maybe you can go to

http://www.all-about-scholarship.com

it's about scholarships information.

Good luck

Answer 3

Adding to what the others said:

-No one should ever just write off FAFSA assuming that they can't get financial aid.  It may be true, but you should certainly apply through FAFSA.  EVERYONE is eligible to at least apply through FAFSA -- fill it out anyway.  You may be surprised.

But the truth is, nothing in life is free, least of all college education.  The only advice that I can give you is that you should apply to colleges that you are way overqualified for -- I did that and I got substantial scholarships, including one that is considered a "full ride" (tuition, fees, room, and board) at a top 100 college.  But I still had to take out student loans to pay for books, equipment, and incidentals -- most students do.

There are scholarships out there, like the Gates Millennium scholarship, that will pay for college, but you have to be eligible for the Pell grant (and it doesn't sound like you will be).  I suggest you get on Google and start searching scholarships like crazy, but it's unlikely that you'll get something that will pay for everything.

I would also adopt a more open mind about student loans.

Answer 4

College is a privilege, not a right. If you want to get a degree, you are going to have to pay for it in one form or another.

Most people MUST take out student loans and it is pretty much the norm these days. There is not secret society that pays for people's college education.

If you do not want to take out loans, then stop going to college and wait until you are independent.

You said you have a full time job, but can't afford college. Why?

You are the only one responsible for the financial situation that you are in, if you do not like it, then make it different.

If you really want to get a degree and go to college, then you are going to have to make some sacrifices to make it happen.