Topic: so much for college!
bry11calcool's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:06 PM
You have two real choices:

1) Join the military as enlisted (like I did) and get college money.
2) Join the military as ROTC and become an officer

Unless, of course, you are not qualified to go into the military.



I had the same problem and the grades to go to Stanford (twice - once underGrad once Grad).

My parents made too much money and they wouldn't let me work while getting the MBA.

<<< Doesn't make excuses. Just finds a way to get the task completed.

Bry glasses

no photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:11 PM
Edited by michiganman3 on Sat 06/27/09 02:14 PM
My daughter just graduated from high school and was awarded a $4000 dollar scholarship, Michigan Merit based on test scores.

Oh wait, the state is broke and is going to discontinue this programgrumble

Decide that you are going to do it, take actions to pursue goal, opportunities will open.


isaac_dede's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:20 PM



FAFSA is who I went through for the loan.

As long as they don't look at my credit... my credit is really bad, turned 18 an was really dumb.
flowerforyou I have never heard of FAFSA checking someones creditflowerforyou
I went to the FAFSA website to see an had to see if I was dependent according to them I am.

do you parents pay at least 50% of your bills?

redhead44613's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:24 PM

Why is moving back home not an option? Did you have a falling out with your parents?

Here's the thing, Fafsa gets you loans that are from the dept of education. This is funded by tax dollars. The government, and not incorrectly IMO, decided that a family should be responsible for their child's education, not the tax payers.

Lowering the independent age would just allow a lot of recent college grads to claim themselves as independent (thus getting more money) even if their parents can afford it. Everyone would do it this way and there wouldn't be enough money or taxes would have to go up.

I don't know your situation. But 400-600 in NJ is barely scraping by, if that. If you lived at home at least that money could be saved for school, if you're on your own I don't see how you're going to save anything at all. And any emergency situation that comes up will most likely put you in a very bad situation. Yeah it's not fun living at home with the parents (at least I don't think it is) but you might have to sacrifice that.

Even if you have bad credit, talk to the bank anyways. Like I said, if your parents or another relative is willing to cosign, you'll still get the loan. Of course if you have bad credit, maybe your family isn't going to trust you enough to co-sign.

If your family is unwilling to help you at all then you're going to have to figure out something different for work. Pharmacy Technicians make good money and don't require college degrees. Some places will give on the job training but it's better to take the certification test but you can take classes online.

Oh I forgot another option. Try to get a job at the school you want to go to, often times they have tuition remission so you can at least start taking a few classes while working. Work study is another option but it won't cover the entire rest of the cost.


Moving back home is out of the question because its to much to move an I am dating someone so yeah.

military is also out, I tried to get in but they turned me down.

I will keep trying thanks.

My parents don't pay any of my bills!

isaac_dede's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:27 PM


Why is moving back home not an option? Did you have a falling out with your parents?

Here's the thing, Fafsa gets you loans that are from the dept of education. This is funded by tax dollars. The government, and not incorrectly IMO, decided that a family should be responsible for their child's education, not the tax payers.

Lowering the independent age would just allow a lot of recent college grads to claim themselves as independent (thus getting more money) even if their parents can afford it. Everyone would do it this way and there wouldn't be enough money or taxes would have to go up.

I don't know your situation. But 400-600 in NJ is barely scraping by, if that. If you lived at home at least that money could be saved for school, if you're on your own I don't see how you're going to save anything at all. And any emergency situation that comes up will most likely put you in a very bad situation. Yeah it's not fun living at home with the parents (at least I don't think it is) but you might have to sacrifice that.

Even if you have bad credit, talk to the bank anyways. Like I said, if your parents or another relative is willing to cosign, you'll still get the loan. Of course if you have bad credit, maybe your family isn't going to trust you enough to co-sign.

If your family is unwilling to help you at all then you're going to have to figure out something different for work. Pharmacy Technicians make good money and don't require college degrees. Some places will give on the job training but it's better to take the certification test but you can take classes online.

Oh I forgot another option. Try to get a job at the school you want to go to, often times they have tuition remission so you can at least start taking a few classes while working. Work study is another option but it won't cover the entire rest of the cost.


Moving back home is out of the question because its to much to move an I am dating someone so yeah.

military is also out, I tried to get in but they turned me down.

I will keep trying thanks.

My parents don't pay any of my bills!

hate to say it...but if you want it bad enough you will be able to do it...pick up another part-time job even if it is doing something you don't like.....put a little extra money in your pocket. granted it's difficult but doable. Also if the only thing that is stopping you from pursuing your education is because you are 'dating' someone then frankly you don't want it bad enough

no photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:30 PM
Try getting a full time job and going to school part time at the community college for now. With a full time job, even if it doesn't pay that well, you'll have more money. Community colleges have cheaper classes and are a good way to start.

redhead44613's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:32 PM
I dont wanna move back to Ohio because there is nothing there! jobs are worse there. I have been trying to get another job for a while now, its a little hard right now. I am not making excuses I have been trying everything I can think ok.

isaac_dede's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:39 PM

I dont wanna move back to Ohio because there is nothing there! jobs are worse there. I have been trying to get another job for a while now, its a little hard right now. I am not making excuses I have been trying everything I can think ok.

honestly I think the last time I talked to you and you were looking for a job and you couldn't do this or that because you didn't have a car....I gave you a list of sites that were having job fairs in your area.....and from the sounds of it you have a job now...even if it isn't that well of a paying one...my point is....QUIT BEING LAZY! get off the forums and do the RESEARCH yourself. Instead of the sob sob 'poor pity me' i can't go to college waaa waaa waaa. If you want it...you'll go for it. Oh and on the whole kid thing....bad idea...you're still one yourself and haven't grown up enough to know what it takes

1mellowguy's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:43 PM
I agree, I could never move back home. I would really feel like a failure. I have enough to live on now and I am not starving so when I finsh school I will be ok... Red try to look at things smaller. break down your goals as little as you can then just take one step at a time. Martin Luther King once said you do not have to see the top of the staircase, just the first step.

no photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:44 PM


I dont wanna move back to Ohio because there is nothing there! jobs are worse there. I have been trying to get another job for a while now, its a little hard right now. I am not making excuses I have been trying everything I can think ok.

honestly I think the last time I talked to you and you were looking for a job and you couldn't do this or that because you didn't have a car....I gave you a list of sites that were having job fairs in your area.....and from the sounds of it you have a job now...even if it isn't that well of a paying one...my point is....QUIT BEING LAZY! get off the forums and do the RESEARCH yourself. Instead of the sob sob 'poor pity me' i can't go to college waaa waaa waaa. If you want it...you'll go for it. Oh and on the whole kid thing....bad idea...you're still one yourself and haven't grown up enough to know what it takes



Seeing how the job market is around here, I think it's easy for someone with a job to tell someone else who is looking for one to just stop being lazy. Though, I also think there are jobs out there to be found, as long as someone is very serious about working, no matter the job.

isaac_dede's photo
Sat 06/27/09 02:54 PM



I dont wanna move back to Ohio because there is nothing there! jobs are worse there. I have been trying to get another job for a while now, its a little hard right now. I am not making excuses I have been trying everything I can think ok.

honestly I think the last time I talked to you and you were looking for a job and you couldn't do this or that because you didn't have a car....I gave you a list of sites that were having job fairs in your area.....and from the sounds of it you have a job now...even if it isn't that well of a paying one...my point is....QUIT BEING LAZY! get off the forums and do the RESEARCH yourself. Instead of the sob sob 'poor pity me' i can't go to college waaa waaa waaa. If you want it...you'll go for it. Oh and on the whole kid thing....bad idea...you're still one yourself and haven't grown up enough to know what it takes



Seeing how the job market is around here, I think it's easy for someone with a job to tell someone else who is looking for one to just stop being lazy. Though, I also think there are jobs out there to be found, as long as someone is very serious about working, no matter the job.

True story....Job finding is about EFFORT you CAN find work almost anywhere. I was down and out on my luck for a while, I was looking for a job for about 5 months...I had some money in savings but it was going fast...it seemed NOWHERE i tried was hiring. I went to a temp agency and got a job at the local fruit factory working the grave yard shift separating rotten apples from ripe ones...I HATED THAT JOB MORE THAN ANYTHING I HAD EVER DONE! I hated it so much that after two days of doing it...I tripled my job search efforts and found one about 3 days later....it's how bad you want it

redhead44613's photo
Sat 06/27/09 03:03 PM
I do not live in OH any more Isaac. I found the job I have on line by myself thank you! I know your story an good for you! I never brought up the kid thing so yeah butt out!

Look dude I have been looking for the past week on things I can do, grants, another job whatever. The grant thing is a little harder then I thought, everywhere I go they want me to pay.

Been looking at lest 5hrs a day for another job. not as easy as it looks. I have also been looking into a community college an that looks more affordable for me right now.

I don't need you telling me I'm lazy when you don't ever know me! Im not looking for anyone to really help me just venting. I can do this on my own an plan too!!

isaac_dede's photo
Sat 06/27/09 03:07 PM

I do not live in OH any more Isaac. I found the job I have on line by myself thank you! I know your story an good for you! I never brought up the kid thing so yeah butt out!

Look dude I have been looking for the past week on things I can do, grants, another job whatever. The grant thing is a little harder then I thought, everywhere I go they want me to pay.

Been looking at lest 5hrs a day for another job. not as easy as it looks. I have also been looking into a community college an that looks more affordable for me right now.

I don't need you telling me I'm lazy when you don't ever know me! Im not looking for anyone to really help me just venting. I can do this on my own an plan too!!

then as Nike says quit complaining and "just do it"

redhead44613's photo
Sat 06/27/09 03:12 PM
I plan too!

Atlantis75's photo
Sat 06/27/09 03:40 PM
Edited by Atlantis75 on Sat 06/27/09 03:41 PM

grumble Well went to talk with the college today about money.. because I am under 24, not married an have no kids I am still a dependent under my parents even though I do not live with them...I'm not even in the same state!

Well my parents make too much money, so the loan I was gonna get only covered $7,634 so I would have to pay $8,291 over 21 month which is just bout $400 a month! yeah I can't afford that.

I have been online for most of the day trying to find grants, either I'm looking at the wrong stuff or I'm dumb. Every website I look at wants me to spend money to get a grant.

so yeah as of now... I'm not gonna go to college. My parents can not afford to take out another loan, they just got one like 2 months ago for a new car. They can't afford to help me an besides I don't want them to help me! Its my education I wanna pay for it myself!

Can just never win anymore frustrated


Back in the 90s, I had a similar problem, and eventually ended up in the National Guard.
While being there, one of the major colleges here would play games with me, knowing that my state covered the tutition fee, so they put a huge "application fee" at me, close to 4000 dollars, which I couldn't afford.

Eventually I had to transfer after 2 years, not being able to pay the other 2 years - to a community college and graduated while going part time to school, full time job + national guard.

After receiving my associate degree in science, now I'm doing a job for 4 years, which doesn't even require me to know English, let alone a college degree.

So much for my time wasted in school! explode

faithfulways's photo
Sat 06/27/09 03:41 PM



I dont wanna move back to Ohio because there is nothing there! jobs are worse there. I have been trying to get another job for a while now, its a little hard right now. I am not making excuses I have been trying everything I can think ok.

honestly I think the last time I talked to you and you were looking for a job and you couldn't do this or that because you didn't have a car....I gave you a list of sites that were having job fairs in your area.....and from the sounds of it you have a job now...even if it isn't that well of a paying one...my point is....QUIT BEING LAZY! get off the forums and do the RESEARCH yourself. Instead of the sob sob 'poor pity me' i can't go to college waaa waaa waaa. If you want it...you'll go for it. Oh and on the whole kid thing....bad idea...you're still one yourself and haven't grown up enough to know what it takes


Thank you! I was in school, but I did not attend this summer, because I am ready to go back to work. I have been submitting resumes,filling out application and even went on two interviews and no luck. I am not going to give up though. I am going to hang in there and I believe someone is going to hire me. I wish they will hurry up, because I miss working.

Seeing how the job market is around here, I think it's easy for someone with a job to tell someone else who is looking for one to just stop being lazy. Though, I also think there are jobs out there to be found, as long as someone is very serious about working, no matter the job.

Dan99's photo
Sat 06/27/09 03:46 PM
I dont get how you can be over 18, living away from your parents in a different state and still be classed as a dependant(but then i am foreign!).

If you made yourself independant from them, could you qualify for the grants?

Cutiepieforyou's photo
Sat 06/27/09 04:10 PM


if you don't live with your parents and they don't take care of you you can apply as an independent student. ask about that in the loan office.
the college knows I am independent. they would have tried that.



Not necessarily. I would go back and tell them you are an independent student and you are not living with your parents. Find out what their criteria is for an independent student.

I had a good friend who grew up in foster homes. He now has his master's degree. He claimed himself as an independent student.

Sometimes those financial aid offices get pretty busy. You have to take responsibility and check on everything with schools these days.

redhead44613's photo
Sat 06/27/09 05:22 PM



if you don't live with your parents and they don't take care of you you can apply as an independent student. ask about that in the loan office.
the college knows I am independent. they would have tried that.



Not necessarily. I would go back and tell them you are an independent student and you are not living with your parents. Find out what their criteria is for an independent student.

I had a good friend who grew up in foster homes. He now has his master's degree. He claimed himself as an independent student.

Sometimes those financial aid offices get pretty busy. You have to take responsibility and check on everything with schools these days.


He was an independent student because he was a foster child. The school knows I do not live with my parents. its the government that says I am still a dependent because I was not fostered, under 24, not married, no kids. its dumb but its the law. I have been looking into grants. still nothing yet.

redhead44613's photo
Sat 06/27/09 05:24 PM

I dont get how you can be over 18, living away from your parents in a different state and still be classed as a dependent(but then i am foreign!).

If you made yourself independent from them, could you qualify for the grants?
Welcome to America. I think anyone qualifies for grants, from what I understand I have to write the government an tell them why I should get the free money. but thats just what I understand, I may be wrong.