Any suggestions?

Paying for College
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<p>Lauren, no one is ragging on the fact that your parents do not have the money to send you to college. But the issue is not just college. Ok, say, you do’t go to college, what would you do then? Can’t find a job in the area, have no public transportation and no regualr car/ride. So now what? You stay home and be the family caretaker? You see what I am saying?</p>

<p>I don’t know what your $8K figure is. Does it include a full PELL, Stafford Loans and state money thrown in the mix, so you need to come up with $8K additional? Unless a college throws in that money, where do YOU think it should come from?</p>

<p>It will mean that you have to come up with $4K by September for the first semester (probably more since you are not including books, transportation, toiletries most likely). If you can find a job, right now, and work weekends and vacations and summer, you can probably make that much by then. But that means finding a job and doing it. If you don’t go to college, you’ll have to do the same after you graduate and the same constraints in finding a job and getting to it will be there.</p>

<p>The other thing you can do is hold off on college until the second semester if the college does not award you enough to make up the difference. The way it works is that you can take the whole PELL and Stafford for that second semester (I don’t know about the HOPE/state funds). ALso hopefully you wll be working in the summer and fall in that scenario, but that is the whole problem I was telling you that you have even if college is not in the picture. </p>

<p>Once you are at college, you have to hop to it and find work and a place to live and work and be on your own. You are out of there. Maybe your parents can come up with a few bucks to help out since you won’t be eating and living there so those costs will be gone. You do cost them some money eating and living there , you know. So when you are gone, there will be some exrra money avaialble.</p>

<p>And seriously look at MomfromTexas’s thread and at schools like College of the Ozarks, Berea, and someothers. </p>

<p>Also, if you have no relatives, how about friends?</p>

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<p>That’s what I’ve been trying to tell my parents when they say they can’t pay for it. It’s like they don’t want to hear it.</p>

<p>They will take care of my transportation and the essentials I need at college, it’s my job to come up with the rest.</p>

<p>The $8K doesn’t include anything. I was just giving the price of it for one year without any type of aid.
If I get to go to the chosen school, then I’m going to try to get in on a work study program.</p>

<p>Even after I graduate, I won’t be able to work the full hours a normal graduate would, due to my not being eighteen yet. It’d be that way for an entire year. </p>

<p>My boyfriend is in the USMC and will get out and not re-enlist in April 2013. He has said numerous times if he has to support me, he will. He planned to attend whatever college I was going to. But I feel bad about taking his money like that.</p>

<p>I will, thank you.</p>

<p>They’re all in the area, and the area I live in is the boondocks, hick-ville. The biggest dream they possess is to finish beauty school that is offered at the high school or welding school (the high school here offers cosmetology and welding in order to get a license or whatever) to live here and have Bubba 1, Bubba 2, Bubba 3, Bubba 4, Bubba 5, and Bubba 6, with their high school sweethearts.</p>

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<p>I have very dear cousins who went to beauty school, HVAC training nursing aid training instead of going directly to college and maried their high school sweethears. Bubba1,2,3,4,5, 6 may all be going to college, something their parents did not. Also some of them did get their college educations, slowly and over time paying for it with those jobs. My one cousin made a lot of extra money giving haircuts at homes, for weddings and other special occaisions that went towards some college expenses. When reading your posts, particularly the first one, you are stuck at home, it seems without even being able to get a job sweeping the floor at these beauty parlors part time to pay for some of your education that you so want. </p>

<p>If you can do it all for $8K, it looks like PELL, Staffords and state money will do it. If not, go second term. </p>

<p>My kids all worked during the summers, and even my 14year old made money this summer. Yes, he had restricted hours, and had to go by that, but he found other work as well. I don’t think your not being 18 is going to be that big of an impediment. I have 5 kids and they all worked every summer before college and some during the school year as well. Your lack of transportation may be the real problem in finding and being able to do a job and if you and your parents can’t address that, you won’t even be working at a beauty shop or welding jobs, but be your parent’s personal maid instead. </p>

<p>Your parents won’t let you join the military but you can take up with some one in it who will support your? ??? Not making sense here. That option is really not a good one–young relationships can go south, you know. Better you take care of this yourself.</p>

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<p>Laurren, there’s two generations between you and your parents. Considering the culture of your area, you are radically different. Many parents struggle with life as it was when they were your age and how it is now. Even for younger parents like me who went to college and expect my kids to go, the application, costs, logistics of it all are very different. One of my D’s friends is a first generation student, and as supportive as her mom is, she is understandably overwhelmed at the process.</p>

<p>When your parents were your age, in their area, the kind of money you are talking about is astronomic to them and the concept is entirely foreign. I know how much college costs, although we also had sticker price shock compared to when we went, we know how much it costs now. To your parents and others in your area- this is out of this world. Understanding where they are coming from won’t help you reach your goals but it explains why, even though they do love you, they are not in a position to be supportive or understand what you want to do. They may also want you to stay in the area like everyone else does, it’s all they know. At some level, this is unknown and frightening to them. </p>

<p>My own D is thinking pre-vet, so I have followed the pre-vet posts on this board for a while, including yours. You are really a pioneer in your culture, and you want more. You’ve not had the advantage of college savvy parents, a supportive environment, or many role models and you have come a long way regardless.</p>

<p>As a minor, you may not have much choice. Although taking support from your boyfriend may be an option, if you were my child, I would tell you not to. Why? You have not even begun to become the adult you will be, and accepting this kind of money makes the relationship more serious. Even if he is “the one” (in the future, but things can change), if you want to achieve your dream of becoming a vet, now is not the time to tie yourself down further. If you go to college on his money, and meet someone else you might like to date, then you would lose financial support if you did. Your parents have some financial say in what you do, and changing the strings to your boyfriend, even if he is kind and generous is still an obligation. Having baby bubbas is one big way to tie yourself down, but so is financial dependence.</p>

<p>You are in a difficult place right now, and hopefully there is some college, somewhere in your state that has scholarships, grants, work study or something for first generation students. I know it is difficult to establish adult independence for college tuition purposes-and I don’t know Georgia laws but something to consider if at all possible when you are old enough to take the steps to do that. </p>

<p>My only encouragement is this. Becoming a vet is a long term goal, and you are not far from being 18. I expect you will not want to move too far away- your parents are older and I know you want to be able to see them and keep a good relationship with them. To achieve your dream however, you will eventually need to move out of your hometown (no opportunities there) and you need to have some way to support yourself. This might not happen right away, but it can happen over time. </p>

<p>In the meantime, check your FA options. Look at every possible college that could work for you. If you have to wait a year, make the most of it by studying to get your scores up, maybe take additional online classes- maybe some advanced classes you did not take in HS (NOT college credit ones- taking those can interfere with merit aid.) </p>

<p>In the case that the finances don’t work out, in some of your other posts you mentioned you are home schooled, can you extend the graduation date and take additional classes thought Georgia Virtual School? Could you make yourself a better high school candidate so your college choices increase?</p>

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<p>I hear them talking all the time about how they could pay a dime for a movie, popcorn, drinks, and still have money left over, it’s hard to think that way, but I KINDA see where they’re coming from.</p>

<p>Veterinary was all I’ve ever wanted to do. Over a few years, I accumulated 1,500 hours from being a volunteer veterinary assistant. It’s strange though, how my parents would take me to alpaca shows to show, the alpaca farm to volunteer, the dog groomers to volunteer, the dog kennel to volunteer, the vets office, dog training classes, dog shows, AND get my AKC handler certification, yet they won’t transport me to a job?</p>

<p>I don’t want to take his support because I don’t feel comfortable with it and it makes me feel obligated. Yes, we have been together for over a year, yes, he is going to be a Pre-Veterinary Major, and we were going to get engaged next year, still. I’M UNCOMFORTABLE with taking his money. He has suggested getting married when I’m eighteen, but I want to do things the “right way.” I want to finish college, have a stable job, and be able to support myself. We’ve talked about this and he respects it. If I really mean as much to him as he says, he’ll respect my wishes and understand that, as well as wait.</p>

<p>I honestly don’t mind moving far away…as bad as that sounds. Just due to the relationship we have with each other. I’m originally from Atlanta, so moving to a hick town was basically like a transplant shock.</p>

<p>I’m homeschooled through A Beka Academy. I am in a “contract” with them. The only thing I am doing college related will be starting in January, I will take twelve credits, funded by the state of Georgia, at the private college here (I can’t go here, it’s 20K for tuition alone). I’m currently in the top 5% of the program, 4.0, etc.</p>

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<p>I meant moving to some place like Alaska where it’s hard to travel home and you’d never see them, but Atlanta, anywhere in GA, a nearby state, or anywhere near an airport would be OK. I said this mainly because we moved far away when my parents were younger and healthier, but as they got older, being very far away with aging parents makes it a little harder to visit - they can’t travel to you. That may actually be something they fear- not seeing you as they get older, so you can reassure them that you will visit when you can. Many families have managed distance, but they don’t know any who have.
Still- this should not stop you from achieving your goals and you can move where you need to go. I just meant it as a glimpse into the future. Atlanta would be good.
I guess A Beka will graduate you on time and you have done well. Maybe take the ACT again. Look at all you state options first- as you have, and any option that may offer you aid or be affordable.
Your parents seem to be parenting much like their generation did, and roles for women in their time were different so they may not understand. I know of a student who was in a similar position and it was very hard. She did graduate however- with work study, loans, although I don’t know all the details. I hope there’s a way.</p>

<p>It’s a different time. Change is hard. Hang in there and hang on to your dreams.</p>

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<p>Absolutely look at these. In the case of Berea, I know, tuition is 100% free if you are accepted and your Pell and other aid can go toward room and board, if needed, but most kids work that off with the work-study program there. In rural GA you are in the target area for Berea, too, esp if in north GA but perhaps even if not in the mountains per se. Berea is a beautiful college with caring teachers and gives low income kids a truly unique opportunity.</p>

<p>I believe Ozarks is similar.</p>

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<p>Here is the link to more information on the various “work colleges” including Berea, Ozarks, etc. [Welcome</a> to the Work Colleges Consortium! | <a href=“http://workcolleges.org%5B/url%5D”>http://workcolleges.org](<a href=“http://www.workcolleges.org/]Welcome”>http://www.workcolleges.org/)</a></p>

<p>Perhaps one of them will work well for you.</p>

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<p>Berea sounds great, also Ozarks. On the work college list is Warren Wilson. It’s in Western NC, not too bad a drive from Atlanta and closer to northern GA. Another school not on the list but nearby is Mars Hill College which has a zoology program. The schools may not have animal science as a major, but many are in areas close to wildlife centers (one in Asheville) and most colleges have internships where you can work in zoos, or with animals. Columbia College in SC has several scholarships, a “Momentum” for high achieving women who’s ability exceeds their scores, A church or community leader can nominate someone for this, and merit for ACT scores of various levels. If you could raise yours some, you could get significant merit aid. It’s a women’s college. Columbia SC has a zoo. Another women’s school- Salem College gives awards for ACT >24. Agnes Scott is ACT/SAT optional. If application fees are an issue, contact the school. They may offer a fee waiver in certain situations.</p>

<p>There are not a lot of choices with an animal science major- and they tend to be at large state schools. The choices get wider if you consider a school that gives you the basic pre-reqs and then get the animal experience though internships, jobs with farms or veterinarians, summer classes at a state school and so on. Being creative may get you an affordable college education.</p>