<p>I have a problem. Last year, I applied to four colleges, and was accepted by three. I enrolled in a college, but I had to drop my enrollment because it was too expensive. Instead, I took a year off and travelled/volunteered. Anyway, I am reapplying this year to about ten colleges. A couple waive fees for online applicants (I am applying through the Common Application), but the majority charge a fee, and these add up too about $600. Since I am homeschooled and my family's income is over the general limit to get them, I can't receive fee waivers through my school or the College Board, and my parents are not helping me pay the fees. I have a sister applying to colleges this year at the same time as me. Could that have any effect as to whether these fees can be waived? Is there anything I can do to get rid of some of these fees? I honestly cannot afford to pay them.</p>
<p>Also, another reason I was not able to enroll last year was because my parents refuse to co-sign on any loans or take out any on their own. Is there any way that I can explain this to colleges during the application, or a way for me to take out a loan on my own without involvement from my parents? Will the fact that my parents refuse to contribute to my education have any impact on financial aid awards or the amount of loans offered?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give me:)</p>
<p>I’m puzzled. If you could not afford to pay for them last year how are you going to afford to pay this year? Have circumstances changed?</p>
<p>The aid you are offered will be based on the assumption that your parents will be contributing at least the EFC, probably more at some schools. The fact that they are not willing to will not affect the financial aid you are offered. It just may make it unaffordable to go to the school even with that aid. You will be entitled to at least $5500 in Stafford loans as a freshman (assuming you are eligible for FAFSA). They are student loans in your own name and do not require a cosigner. Most other loans will be parent loans or require a cosigner. Your EFC should go down this year if your sister will also be in college. But if the income is too high for a fee waiver then you probably cannot get a fee waiver.</p>
<p>If you get accepted to colleges and, like last year, cannot afford to go, what are your plans? You may need to consider somewhere cheaper to start off. Possible a CC. May not be what you want but may be what you can afford.</p>
<p>If you can’t afford the application fees maybe you should pare down your list to those that are free to apply to and those which you feel will be affordable if you are accepted. I’m guessing that not all of these ten meet that criteria and there really isn’t a good reason to apply to a school that won’t be affordable to you.</p>