<p>Ok, so my parents think college is an ABSOLUTE waste of time and refuse to pay or help in any aspect besides filling out the FAFSA. I had to pay for my own SAT's/app fees and all of that. Now, after searching through the data, I found that for the University of Florida, they disburse your Stafford Loans about 30 days after the start of term. My problem is that I have under $100 total right now, and as I'm a high school senior with 10+ AP classes, I am in no shape to be working. </p>
<p>Does anyone know of a solution for being able to pay the expenses I have to pay before I start college, including getting a laptop computer and basically all the money I need to survive for the first 30 days? USF requires the meal plan being paid in full for the semester ($2k) 3 weeks before start of term for the fall and about a month in advance for the spring semester. The housing plan requires payment of around $650 three weeks before terms start.</p>
<p>I'm willing to take out loans (those that do not require a co-signer or any involvement from my parents), but I'm worried that none of these loans will send me the money in time to pay those fees. Does anyone know of any student loans that do no require a co-signer and send out money before August? I heard it is federal law that schools may not disburse financial aid (including private loans) any sooner than 10 days before classes begin :(</p>
<p>*I found that for the University of Florida, they disburse your Stafford Loans about 30 days after the start of term. My problem is that I have under $100 total right now, and as I’m a high school senior with 10+ AP classes, I am in no shape to be working. *</p>
<p>The aid office should be taking when they disburse loans into consideration- they can’t expect people to pay up front when the whole point of getting aid is to have assistance.
This company can help by spreading payments out- but my only experience with it, has been with a private college- don’t know if they work with public schools.
<a href=“https://www.afford.com/index.htm[/url]”>https://www.afford.com/index.htm</a>
I don’t know how you can take 10 AP classes at a time, it’s more important to be doing well on the test so that you can get credit for your knowledge in college.
They ( U of F) give credit for getting a 3 or higher ( very generous) so that should save you money up front as well and possibly take a lighter load if you need to.</p>
<p>I’m going to University of South Florida. My GPA is around 4.86 right now, will be even higher (dual enrollment district issue gave me 12 4.0 classes and dropped my GPA sooo bad) and my SAT’s are 2200 ish (it was first time, will be retaking to see if it’ll go up). I only applied to USF because it’s close enough, and I’m living on campus. As for paying for all of this…financial aid + loans + scholarships + private loans. But the issue is paying for this before school starts. And yes, I’m doing all these AP’s so I have to take less in college, but still, $2600 just to start up the term isn’t cheap. My EFC will be around $3k and if I live really cheap and take out an unsubsidized Stafford loan or another loan, I can cover up for the EFC and pray that I can get lots of financial aid money from my grades.</p>
<p>Summer job absolutely…start looking BEFORE the college kids get out…March/April at the latest and get it lined up. You might have to start a few weeks before your school year ends so plan your classes accordingly. </p>
<p>Talk to the finaid office about how loans and grants will be applied relative to when the bills are sent out and the monies are due and what you will be required to pay out of pocket…it might be only books and any out of pocket expenses.</p>
<p>Generally colleges will post pending aid and only expect the net balance to be paid. I think that you need to clarify USF’s policy. Perhaps someone on the USF board can help or you can call/email the financial aid office.</p>
<p>You will have to cover any housing, enrollment, and orientation fees required this spring though. As far as buying computers, dorm stuff, books, etc, many kids use their graduation gifts and the awards they receive directly.</p>