<p>So, about a year ago my parents filed for bankruptcy. Though their uncome is higher than the average, they spent more than they had, to put it simply!</p>
<p>So now it is time to get my financial aid and all dealt with. Well, the University has offered to cover about $12,000 in financial aid, but everything is expected to equal about $20,771. Though the EFC for my family is $6,057, we are expected to pay like $9,000. Howwever, this is simply impossible. Since my parents are bankrupt, the government takes a hefty amount of my dad's paycheck. Also, they can't cosign for any loans obviously.(Including the PLUS loan which I was offered the most of; $2400 a semester.)</p>
<p>So what do we do? I mean, I can't just get a private loan. My parents don't have the money to pay over $9,000. (Which, by the way, it would be more than that considering we can't accept the PLUS loan.)</p>
<p>I am a first-generation college student in my family, so we have no clue what we are doing. I know that my mother is VERY depressed over this issue. She has been crying for days on because she has been so proud of me going to university. I simply can't stand to watch her upset anymore. It just tears me apart. Nothing is harder than watching your mother cry day-on because she feels hopeless.</p>
<p>So please tell me what I can do to resolve this issue. Can the University give me more Stafford loans instead of the PLUS, and also make up for the $9000 since it is literally impossible for my parents to pay for it? Can I get a loan without a co-signer? Are my grandparents going to need to cosign for me or something?</p>
<p>I just need to know what to do and soon, because I want to cheer my ma up as soon as possible :)</p>
<p>call the finaid office and talk to them about your situation. Have your financial figures and those of your parents available as you talk. Be frank. Insist on talking to someone in authority. Go from there.</p>
<p>@momkcollegekids Usually the parents will owe a certain amount each month to a “trustee,” I think that is what he means. They usually take half of a tax return as well.</p>
<p>Definitely talk to a finaid manager. Go through costs with a fine tooth comb: tuition, fees, room & board (unless you are living at home), book budget, spending money, transportation. You should qualify for $5500 in Stafford loans and you might well qualify for additional Stafford loans because of the bankruptcy. Figure out what the gap really is. You should be able to pull down close to $2000 between now and the start of school with a part-time job. Work/study might be an option for you to cover spending money. You’ll still need money for your books in the fall as the first work/study checks won’t start until you get to campus and find a job then work for a couple weeks. Good luck, but do sit down with someone and carefully go through your budget and what the college has offered you and what you might be able to additionally access.</p>
<p>You are eligible for $5500 in Stafford loans. If your parents apply for a PLUS loan and are denied then you are eligible for an additional $4000 in Stafford loans.</p>
<p>*@momkcollegekids Usually the parents will owe a certain amount each month to a “trustee,” I think that is what he means. They usually take half of a tax return as well. *</p>
<p>I’m still not understanding…if someone declares bankruptcy for (usually) consumer debt, why does the gov’t take any of your paycheck or your tax return.</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids: There are several bankruptcy options. In many cases, the court will order the family to pay a certain sum per month to a trustee who then distributes the money to the creditors. (The court may have adjusted the balances due, stopped interest from accruing, eliminated various fees and charges, but still left some or all of the underlying debt in place.)</p>
<p>The other bankruptcy option that could result in money taken from a paycheck is that the person filing can agree to a settlement in order to keep some of their possessions and pay back a monthly amount for doing so.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses. They have all been helpful.</p>
<p>I contacted the University, and they told me I need to show proof that my parents can’t accept the PLUS loan, and then they will give me $4,000 extra in Stafford.(Which still isn’t $5,000 I would have gotten with PLUS, but it’s better than nothing.) The financial aid officer I talked to encouraged me to look into a loan called the CAL loan(loan by the State of Texas, stands for College Access Loan.) She said this loan will cover anything that other aid didn’t cover. All I would need is a cosigner(even if their credit is sketchy.) Still can’t use my parents though, because they can’t take out a loan by court-order. But anyways, does anyone know anything about this loan?</p>
<p>Also, she of course mentioned “alternative loans,” though I am a bit skeptical about taking a loan from a bank. I would rather get loans through the government. </p>
<p>The only problem, is my parents don’t want to get someone else to cosign. My grandparents(on both sides) have EXCELLENT credit, and I don’t think they would have a problem at all with it. But, my parents still seem skeptical. </p>
<p>My mom did mention today that she wouldn’t be opposed to me getting out maybe a $3,000 loan, but she doesn’t want me to get a full-loan that covers everything. She said that she can take out $5,000 from her retirement(which I don’t like her doing) and she has $3,000 saved up. The rest of the money will just be paid for through extra pocket-cash.(Though 5k+3k+3k=11k so that is more than enough.) But, I don’t like her idea. I know she doesn’t want me to have loans, but I’m already maxing out on my Stafford loans any ways! I would rather get the full loan than have her dip into her retirement. </p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>mom2college kids - I’m not sure exactly how it all works, but I know my parents had their debt consolidated and now a ton of my dad’s check goes toward paying it. It is mandated that he pays at least x amount. Also, they can’t take out any loans for 20 months still (and they filed in late 2007 I think.)</p>
<p>Is it possible for you to take the Stafford and the additional Stafford and your mom could save the amount she thinks she can stash as they work themselves out of the hole. They could “gift” it to you when you graduate or pay the interest each year to take a bite out of your loans. That might make them feel better and it would take some of the burden off you which might make them feel better. You could also look into the CAL loan and see whether the terms are “better” than the Staffords and the extra Stafford money. As you and your parents make your decisions please think in terms of year 2, 3 and 4 also.</p>
<p>*
So now it is time to get my financial aid and all dealt with. Well, the University has offered to cover about $12,000 in financial aid, but everything is expected to equal about $20,771. Though the EFC for my family is $6,057, we are expected to pay like $9,000. *</p>
<p>Is this UT-Austin?</p>
<p>What is the breakdown of the Cost of Attendance? The COA often includes some “fluff” and areas that a student can economize.</p>
<p>What is the breakdown of your aid package? </p>
<p>grants/scholarships
loans
work-study (if this is a lowish amount, maybe you can ask for more.)
etc</p>
<p>Do you plan on getting a summer job to help close the gap??</p>
<p>The $12K in financial aid award already includes a $5500 Stafford loan? If so, taking an additional $4K Stafford would leave you $9500 in debt for freshman year and with a $5K shortfall, right? Is the $20,771 their estimated COA or actual billable costs (tuition, fees, R&B)? </p>
<p>If your parents are both working and able to handle it from current savings and income, I think you should let them worry about the additional $5K for now. If your grandparents offer to help some, let them. If you have a job or the graduation gift fairy is good to you, try to reduce your own loans first. It’s really a little too much debt for a very young person to start getting into (look what happened to your parents when they spend more than they had!) and you should start out on the right foot. Just my $.02!</p>
<p>Please tell your mom not to take money from her retirement – unless she’s much older than I suspect, there are significant penalties PLUS she’ll owe state and federal taxes on the money. It isn’t a good choice.</p>
<p>^^I don’t know that the OP has ever clarified how the package is broken down. I got the impression that there was a $9000 gap but did not get the impression that the $12,000 of aid included the Staffords. I got the impression the college optioned the $9000 into Staffords and PLUS to cover EFC plus gap. OP perhaps you can clarify how your package is broken down and what the cost of attendence is for your college (broken down into tuition fees room board…)</p>
<p>The above has about $2700 in personal and transportation. Those are costs that you should cover with a part-time job. You should also ask for some work-study. A summer job and some work-study will make a dent in the short fall.</p>
<p>How much can your parents contribute…I know that they have financial problems, but they should be able to help with something…maybe books & fees</p>
<p>Thanks for making it more simplistic to read! I was going to do that last night but posted right before I went to bed.</p>
<p>My parents have $3,000 saved up. So, I have no problem with at least $3,000. The other money though, they would either have to take out of retirement or we would have to get a loan.(Though they can’t, so I would.)</p>
<p>Now this is hypothetical, but I was thinking about this; in 20 months, my parents will no longer be considered “bankrupt” and they will be able to take out loans and all. So, for my Junior year of Undergrad they could take out a PLUS loan if they want.</p>
<p>All of my friends were offered massive amounts of PLUS loans. One of my friends was offered $12,000 in Stafford/Scholarships, but still needed $12,000. Well, they offered her $12,000 in PLUS loans. Why didn’t they do that for me, even when they didn’t know about the bankruptcy?! Because when I’m a Junior, my parents could be eligible for the loan, and a full loan would be nice. :)</p>
<p>*My parents have $3,000 saved up. So, I have no problem with at least $3,000. The other money though, they would either have to take out of retirement or we would have to get a loan.(Though they can’t, so I would.)</p>
<p>Now this is hypothetical, but I was thinking about this; in 20 months, my parents will no longer be considered “bankrupt” and they will be able to take out loans and all. So, for my Junior year of Undergrad they could take out a PLUS loan if they want.
*</p>
<p>Your parents may have $3k saved for freshman year, but what will they have for soph year? </p>
<p>I don’t think you should count on your parents taking out Plus loans. If they’ve struggled with debt, I don’t think they should get back into debt as soon as they’ve gotten out of debt. Also, do you have any younger siblings that will be going to school? If so, how will your parents be able to help them, too?</p>
<p>You seem to think that Plus loans are “the answer” - but they are often disasters for families.<br>
**
Don’t you have any less expensive options? Where else did you get accepted?**</p>
<p>The PLUS loan is not an option for this student unless the parents get the loan in their names with a co-signer. The OP could give the school evidence of the bankruptcy, which the school can use to show the parents would be denied the PLUS … and the student would then be able to borrow $3500 sub, $6000 unsub. IMHO, this is more than enough loan for any freshman. If more borrowing than this is necessary, it is time to re-think options for school. If the student borrows max sub & unsub for four years, that adds up to $45,000 (of which all but $19,000 is unsubsidized … meaning the loans will really end up being a lot more due to accumulated interest).</p>