<p>Hi! Like my username states - I'm just an undergrad, fresh out of high school (I mean that's what it feels like to me!) and currently about to attempt my second semester as a first year college student. I have to be honest with you all, I'm completely out of my debt. I have no idea how I am going to pay for this semester - the only option I can see is to take out student loans. I'm broke, jobless, and not well off. I can't make my parents pay for my college - they simply can't afford it. Now, the only financial assistance I'm getting is from my FAFSA and a Regents scholarship, as my school has decided I am not eligible for a TAP Award. So I have no idea how to start this process.
I was just wondering if anyone could offer some advice on this topic. How do I apply? Where do I apply? Do I get the money immediately, or do I have to o to my financial aid office? When do I have to pay them back? </p>
<p>I'd really appreciate any feedback, Thanks!</p>
<p>How much do you need? Did you already get the max Direct loans in your initial FA pkg?</p>
<p>If you need more than Direct loans, then your parents would have to qualify and co-sign more loans. That’s not a good idea.</p>
<p>Why did you enroll in a school where you didn’t have your costs covered???</p>
<p>Are you living in a dorm or commuting from home? If you’re not living at home, then maybe you need to withdraw from this school and commute to a CC from home.</p>
<p>Do you take out Federal Stafford loans and now you need additional money? </p>
<p>If you did not take out the stafford loans you still can. You just have to go to your financial aid office and usually fill out a form.</p>
<p>
How did you pay for the first semester? What are you getting from Federal government (FAFSA)? You may get some NYS TAP if you’re a dependent undergraduate student and your family NYS taxable incomes are less than $80,000. See [Award</a> Amounts and Income Limits](<a href=“NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - TAP Eligibility”>NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - TAP Eligibility)</p>
<p>Well, I need about $1,500 per semester, so about $3,000 per year - and that’s just covering tuition, not books or anything. I’m just guessing from my bursar bill. I haven’t taken out any loans - and I don’t think I got anything about loans from my FAFSA but I’ll make sure to check again. </p>
<p>Well, I’m enrolled in a City College, and so is my sister. In general, City Colleges are cheaper than private institutions and I was expecting additional aid (what with my sister being in college and only one parent working). It was a much cheaper choice than other colleges, but I mean, that doesn’t mean that we’re not struggling. These are some hard times. </p>
<p>I’m not dorming, I’m living at home and commuting.</p>
<p>@brendak21 </p>
<p>Thanks - I’ll definitely look into that :)</p>
<p>@4kidsdad </p>
<p>I had to use my savings from a summer internship to pay last semester. I don’t have the specific amounts, but I’ll look into it :)</p>
<p>What was your FAFSA EFC? Did you indicate that there are 2 in college in your family?</p>
<p>You need to contact your school’s FA office and tell them that you want a Federal Direct Student loan to pay for your school costs.</p>