<p>Maybe not in Manhattan, but there are definitely lawns in the other boroughs (unless one lives in public housing), there are plenty of neighborhoods with lawns (lots of lawns in Queens). </p>
<p>At 17, Op is old enough to work at the supermarket (stop and shop, pathmark and key food are always looking for 17 year olds to work in the deli). While OP will not be able to work summer youth because of work schedule, I agree with dodgersmom that he should try looking at local places where he spends his money. He could also try snagajob . com to see what they have listed (jamba juice, pink berry, pinkberry, chipotle and footlocker hire quite frequently).</p>
<p>Op can also ask GC if they have received any job postings.</p>
<p>Pwang…the best way to find such jobs is by word of mouth. No one here can recommend babysitting jobs…you need to get the word out that you are available. Ditto dog walking and the like.</p>
<p>ok, no lawns in Manhattan nor where I live in Brooklyn. And I am just reporting what I’ve heard from kids who have looked for jobs at chain stores and fast food places.</p>
<p>OP, if you do look for a job at a commercial establishment, you may want to bring the social security card so that they can see you can work legally.</p>
<p>op, ask around. Do you live in an apartment building? You can ask dog owners if they need someone to help them with dog-walking duties, or maybe post a flyer. Many supermarkets have bulletin boards. Prepare a resume for each kind of job listing your experience (do you have younger siblings you have cared for? pets or prior experience walking dogs?), and list contact info (phone and email) of references.</p>
<p>You can have more than one version of your resume, like one for looking for jobs at stores and one for service jobs like dog-walking and babysitting.</p>
<p>Also, if there is a senior citizen center nearby, ask if they have a bulletin board where you can post a message that you are available to help bring groceries home, care for pets, etc. If you can translate to and from a common foreign language in your neighborhood, you could offer that service to seniors.</p>
<p>Simple math here - $7K is 35% of your total household income - and % is likely higher after income taxes are considered. 35% is a huge number. Taking out loans is often seen as “pretty standard”, but my goal is to keep myself and more importantly, my kid, out of debt as best we can. Would you consider gap year - spend that time working to stash some cash, and perhaps taking some courses at a community (or just less expensive) college - then transferring into school of dreams down the road once your finances are more stable?</p>
<p>Perhaps Sybbie can clarify. It sounds to me like this student got an excellent financial aid award that they will lose if they don’t accept it as an incoming freshman. It did not sound like this was available to this student as a transfer student.</p>
<p>I really don’t advocate for large loan debt. The maximum Direct Loan debt (including subsidized and unsubsidized) will enable this student to attend a four year residential college. </p>
<p>By taking these Direct loans, this student can achieve the goal of attending this college.</p>
<p>As another poster noted, the student can work while attending school and save as much as possible to reduce loans in future years.</p>
<p>He can also work during subsequent summers (the EOP summer classes on campus are only before freshman year) and use his earnings to reduce his loans.</p>
<p>The loans the student is expected to take are the standard Stafford ones. I’m glad the OP is concerned but this is pretty standard. The parents can’t be expected to come up with that money on that income IMO , especially in such a short time. So, expecting him to take out the $5500 with $3500 subsidized, is pretty reasonable given what most packages are. Few schools do not give out loans in their package. </p>
<p>The other alternative is going to a local school and commuting. As I noted, OP could probably do that pretty much for free, but look at the goodies he would be giving up if he does not go via a program OP does have a danged good deal,but has to put his own skin in the game, to the tune of the Stafford student loans.</p>
<p>And that is the choice that perhaps you can afford to make at your house. Op does not have that option. Since most state universities do not meet 100% demonstrated need, Op has the options of :</p>
<p>writing his check (the family does not have the money to do this) </p>
<p>take the loans, which are not onerous considering the fact that if he were not EOP eligible, he would most likely would not be attending because the school would be even further financially out of reach</p>
<p>Give up the option and go some where else (no one is placing a gun to his head and making him attend)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not an option for OP for a number of reasons:</p>
<p>Op has been accepted through an opportunity program where he had to meet both academic and financial requirements. </p>
<p>A student can only be admitted to a school through an opportunity program as a first time freshman in the admissions process. </p>
<p>However, once admitted they can transfer to an opportunity program offered at another school.</p>
<p>If a student is offered an opportunity program that offers a mandatory summer/orientation program and the student does not attend, they lose the opportunity program and the admission to the school.</p>
<p>You cannot defer your admissions through an opportunity program. </p>
<p>You can chose not to attend, but in doing so, you relinquish your seat at that school’s opportunity program and the other perks (tuition free graduate education at City/State University).</p>
<p>Should you attend another school that does not have an opportunity program, you can not transfer into one unless you are currently attending one.</p>
<p>If student takes a gap year, he will have to start the process all over again and it is highly unlikely that he will be admitted again to the opportunity program that he has turned down. In addition, due to the low admit rate, there is no guarantee that he would be admitted again if he did apply.</p>
<p>Since there is also an income cap (because opportunity programs come with additional aid) if op takes a gap year and works, chances are that he will no longer be financially eligible for admissions to an opportunity program.</p>
<p>Because of the opportunities for grad school funding as well as undergrad funding with this opportunity program…I personally think this poster is being “penny wise and pound foolish” by NOT taking those unsubsidized Direct loans…which will make attendance possible.</p>
<p>Sybbie, thanks for clarifying. Sounds like you are well on topic with this particular situation. At the face value of this original thread, this situation seemed much more dire - but you have brought key pieces of information that should allow the poster to make an informed decision.</p>
<p>When people complain that low income families “have it made” in terms of financial aid, they are really talking only about very small number of cases This package that the OP got is very generous in what our state has to offer, is heavily sought after, but still when one considers that the family is living on about $20K a year, it requires a lot from them. The OP is going to have to get to the campus and bring what he needs for the summer, losing work opportunities in doing so. He’ll have to do the same when he goes to school, coming up with upfront money. And he’ll owe more than his family’s yearly income before he’s done with with school, plus have to work part time throughout school to make ends meet. Hardly a handout without some skin in the game. </p>
<p>But at least it’s doable. Penn State has the same requirement of summer attendance for a number of their students and even with zero EFCs, some of them are being terribly gapped. Plus the base cost of that state school is a cool $10K more per year. So, the OP is doing OK here.</p>
<p>OP- I’ve been thinking about you and your plight. Do you belong to a church or community group? If so, ask them for help. Let them know about your opportunity and let them know what you need and why: work, items for dorm, book money, transportation, and ask for it. If not, use facebook, put flyers in local stores. Be specific. Find out what size sheets and comforter you need, shelves, desk lamp, list clothing sizes and what you need - dressy, casual, winter. Many people will have these and be willing to give them to you. Will you need a fridge or microwave? Explain how this would save you meal plan money. </p>
<p>Many people will help if they feel you’re a worthy cause. Anything you get donated, is money you won’t have to spend.</p>