<p>This question may have been asked here already. I have been accepted into a U of AZ out of state cost is around 40,000 with tuition and room/board/fees etc. All I have is a GED and a year of community college with average grades. My EFC is zero. I am planning to start in a couple of weeks but haven't received my award letter yet. I can get/borrow up to around 27k of which I am including Pell, Stafford, Perkins, SEOG, and work study. I have people in my family telling me the school will make up a difference of 13k with various grants, etc. Is this correct? I am starting to wonder, and it's stressing me. As I said, I am no academic all-star. Thanks.</p>
<p>They might, they might not. I wouldn’t count on it though, until you receive your award package. If you are talking about borrowing around 27K a year - that is way too much.</p>
<p>I don’t think your family is right. Why would an public univ give an OOS transfer student $14k of institutional grants - which are likely from AZ taxpayers? </p>
<p>The Pell grant of about $6k will likely be the only “free money” that you’ll get. </p>
<p>how are you figuring the $27k of loans, ws, and Pell? I can see that you’ll probably get about $6k in Pell, $6500 in loans, and maybe $2k in WS (you may not get any WS if they reserve for instate students). So, really about $11k-15k in aid.</p>
<p>edited to add…You’re an older student. Instead of about $6500 in loans, you’ll get about $11k in loans. That and Pell are far below the $27k you mention. </p>
<p>the univ has no incentive to give a transfer student from OOS with avg stats a bunch of free money. They really don’t care if you attend or not. Your stats don’t help them and you’re not an incoming frosh with high stats.</p>
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<p>no. you cannot borrow 27k without a co-signer. As a second year independent student, the most that you can borrow on your own is $10,500. IF you start out borrowing 27k, at this rate you would have over 100K of debt. </p>
<p>walk away, this is not an affordable package for you</p>
<p>Have you received at financial aid award letter yet? Since you have just recently filed the FAFSA it is highly unlikely that you are going to get Perkins, FWS or SEOG (because they are limited funds and they may have already been disbursed). The only "free money you are going to get is federal Pell grant which is $5,625.</p>
<p>A dependent student, which you are unless you meet the FAFSA definition of independent, can only borrow up to $26K total, not in one year. If you have already borrowed money from the Staffords for that year in community college, that comes out of your total. </p>
<p>If your parents are denied for PLUS (parent loans) you can borrow another $4K or so a year, all in unsubsidized loans. That would be the same amount you would be able to borrow if you were an independent student. </p>
<p>Your zero EFC does make you entitled to the PELL grant. That, and the availability of those stafford loans are all you are entitled to get. Any other award will be up to the univerisity. UA does not guaranteed to meet financial need, and does not tend to do so. Being OOS makes it even more unlikely they will meet your need and since this is after awards are already given out, the pot is likely to be empty. Seriously, though, I don’t think it would have made any difference even if you were first in line. Most states treat OOS applicants as SOURCES of extra money, not someone to whom money is given. Unless you are a top of the top applicant, getting your need met is highly, unlikely and really pretty much impossible. Doesn’t happen. </p>
<p>I don’t even see where you are getting the $27K, you think you are getting. Was that an estimated package that UAz sent you? Or from the NPCs? SEOG and Perkins money tend to go very quickly, so unless it was earmarked for you early in the process, I don’t see how you are going to get those funds. At this late date, it would be PELL, Staffords and maybe what 's left in work study. </p>
<p>But even if you can get that $27K–say you did do this early and the funds are awaiting verification for release, that’s still a $13K gap. If UAZ is already using up every bit of your unsubsidized Stafford loan availability and taking up your time with loads of work study to fund the package they have offered you, there is nothing left to give in terms of loans, and if they will not give you a university grant, it means borrowing privately with a cosigner with credit. You are already loaned up far more than you should be for someone with a zero EFC if that package is as loan heavy as I suspect it is. This is truly not a school you want to afford. You’ll be paying for the rest of your life for it if you are lucky enough to make enough money to do so, and it’s going to hurt like crazy having that loan monkey on your back. Find a local in state option for yourself, PLEASE.</p>
<p>SEOG: $4000, Pell: $5350, Perkins $5500, Stafford: $9500, Work Study: approx. $2500 Total: $26850… I understand this is what I can borrow/receive per year, some of which (Pell, SEOG)are not loans. I got this info from the gov website. I have not received any financial aid package offers yet. I am planning to start in the Summer next month. Being in debt is not a concern for me. I have had debts my whole life. I would rather have debts than no education. I am all ready to start and just waiting for my loan offer (if any). In state is not an option. Thanks for your responses.</p>
<p>I am also basically set to go at a cheap community college if need be, but I really like UA.</p>
<p>SEOG and Perkins are not guaranteed. Each school has limited funds for those awards, so some students get them, but most do not. They are absolutely not something you can count on.</p>
<p>And the ONLY schools that will give you grants to make up the difference are private schools that meet full need. You can not count on getting anywhere near that kind of assistance from UA.</p>
<p>You need to look at your own state schools to find an affordable option. Out-of-state publics can be very expensive!</p>
<p>Where are you getting stafford for $9500? Stafford is 5500 freshman yr, 6500 soph and 7500 jr and sr.</p>
<p>With a zero EFC, the PELL maximum is now $5625. If you are independent or a parent has been declined for PLUS, you can borrow up to $9500 in Staffords, a thousand more if you have sophomore standing. That is ALL that you are guaranteed. It’s rare to get $5500 in Perkins, or really any Perkins because a school has to subscribe to it, kick in something and it’s limited. It goes very fast, and if you haven’t gotten your package yet, it’s unlikely to are going to get any Perkins. It’s usually long gone by now, and schools pick and choose who get that money. The same with SEOG. It’s not a guarantee. And as a transfer OOSer, late in getting in your fin aid stuff, it is unlikely any of that will be left for you. Those are maximums (slightly outdated) that you might be able to get. No guarantees except the PELL and Staffords.</p>
<p>Debt may not be a concern to you now but when it come time to pay the piper, it will be. It also is a concern to those lending the money to you. That’s it, in terms of loans to students without a qualified cosigner. PLUS is available to your parents if they qualify, but then you lose $4K of the Stafford. Otherwise it’s the private market, and again, they have to be creditworthy.</p>
<p>One of my kids attended UofAriz out-of-state and didn’t receive any free money from the school. Kiddo received Pell, loans (both Stafford and Perkins-- but less than you anticipate, I think around $2K in Perkins) and a work-study which kiddo could not do because most jobs had already been snatched up by in-state students by the time August rolled around. Work-study jobs are not guaranteed. We submitted FAFSA early (January or Feb) of that year so the university had the money, it just didn’t see fit to give my kid any. I submitted an appeal and they didn’t give us a penny. </p>
<p>Back when that kid of mine applied to college, I thought exactly what your relatives did because that was my experience. But different pubic universities have different priorities regarding their instate money: some-- most notably several southeastern universities with poor k-12 public education-- use their money to attract high stat students from other states, to pull up their own average SAT/ACT and ranking; others use money to fund bright kids from their own state whether through state-run scholarship programs or university-run merit scholarship programs; others fund low-income instate kids. </p>
<p>I do sincerely hope you have better luck than we did but I suggest you consider one more year of your cc. Even if you transferred a year from now and had to take out quite a bit in loans, you could save a lot by delaying the transfer just one year. Is there a reason why you’re not looking at transferring in your own state? And, if you’re over 24yo, have you considered moving to Arizona, taking a job and supporting yourself for 1-2 years and then applying as an instate resident? Look online for the rules (look on the specific school’s website) but, if you’re older and patient, that could be a possibility that saves you tens of thousands of dollars.</p>
<p>OP, I just read your last thread and realize you’re 43yo. Based on your major, I understand why you want to attend those colleges. A few things:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>On the other thread, you mention your ACT score and concern over the math portion. Are you sure the colleges even required those scores? A lot of universities don’t require ACT or SAT scores for students with a year of college credit and your gpa looks more impressive than that score. </p></li>
<li><p>Different colleges in the same state may have different requirements for being considered instate for tuition purposes. Look to see if some community colleges in Arizona and Kansas are any more lax about granting residency. Note that many community colleges have an out-of-county rate that can be almost as high as the out-of-state rate. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>UofA is in Pima County and this is the form they require. It looks like they want one year of residency also. </p>
<p>[Residency</a> Requirements | Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona](<a href=“Pima Community College | Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona”>Pima Community College | Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona)
<a href=“Pima Community College | Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona”>Pima Community College | Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona;
<ol>
<li><p>Consider whether it would be cheaper to take classes online while you live in that state to establish residency. </p></li>
<li><p>Instead of work-study (which really only provides pocket money), look into real jobs on campus. Many universities provide discounted or free tuition to employees.</p></li>
<li><p>Oh, and about prepping your math-- take a look at Khan Academy <a href=“https://www.khanacademy.org/[/url]”>https://www.khanacademy.org/</a> It’s a very complete series of free instructional videos on math, science and some other topics.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>In order to spread the SEOG money further, many colleges limit that grant to an amount less than the federal maximum of 4k. Schools can also set their own rules for awarding that money. They may, for example, give it out first come/first served, give it out to in state students first, give it only to applicants with a 0 EFC. In other words, don’t count on an SEOG.</p>
<p>I think finding a job in Arizona, there have to be rooms to let that students will want filled, always are around major universities, and getting your in state residency is the way to go rather than trying to come up with the additional funds. Maybe trying to find some job at the uni itself. If you go there and work first and get your residency in order, you won’t have much trouble qualifying for in state rates.</p>
<p>*SEOG: $4000, Pell: $5350, Perkins $5500, Stafford: $9500, Work Study: approx. $2500 Total: $26850… I understand this is what I can borrow/receive per year, some of which (Pell, SEOG)are not loans. </p>
<p>I got this info from the gov website*</p>
<p>If you got this from a gov website then either you didn’t read the “fine print” or the page was missing info.</p>
<p>SEOG is not guaranteed and if awarded, it’s “up to” that amount. Plus, an OOS transfer student isn’t likely going to get that money. Publics need to use that money for it’s low income INSTATE students. They can’t meet the need of their instate students, so they’re really not going to be that helpful for OOS students.</p>
<p>Perkins is also not guaranteed. Work-study is not guaranteed.</p>
<p>Since you haven’t gotten your aid pkg yet, I suspect that the school has “run out” of these limited aid (SEOG, Perkins, and WS). </p>
<p>If you get more than Pell and Stafford loans, I’d be surprised.</p>
<p>You need to establish residency in the state that you’re going to go to college. You’re old enough to do that.</p>
<p>I didn’t expect this many responses so soon, so thanks a lot, guys. Yeah, I’m looking at another school, as per your answers are not sounding very encouraging. I have been accepted at a CC in WY and TX, so it is looking like I will end up at one of these, which will save me a lot, in exchange for a less-pleasant campus/location. Oh well, I guess it is better than nothing. I am from MI and I have no plans on setting foot in that state again as it is economically dead with no jobs better than dishwashing (at least in my case). My latest work has kept me on the road for the last several years and I really do not have a “home state” per se, that is, I lived where I worked and changed work locations every couple of months. I now have a debilitating illness that has been crippling me up for a couple years and has hurt my ability to work, which is why my EFC is zero. Thanks again, guys. I’ll keep ya posted.</p>
<p>Andrewgrey, if you can get to Arizona, and set up shop there, you can go there for in state rates, which if I remember correctly, are pretty danged good. Also you will get a bit more consideration for fin aid.</p>
<p>Andrew, based on what you said, I would urge you to consider the quality and availability of health care as you decide where to move. I don’t know your condition or if a certain climate could improve it but, really, at 43yo, you can expect to be in the work force for 25 more years easily. If you have insurance or can get onto a state health plan, you may be able to get some medical treatment and a regular doctor-- something you probably don’t have if you’ve been moving around. Based on your health, I would also urge you not to take on more debt. If your health problems prevent you from working, your income will be very limited and the last thing you want is the govt taking money owed from back student loans from your bank account. Unlike credit card debt, student loan debt is not dischargeable in court. I think you will be much better off to look at those different programs and decide where you move based on 1- the area’s low unemployment rate and 2- access to good medical care; then, establish residency there.</p>
<p>Isn’t there a state like Kentucky that makes it really easy to get instate rates and establish residency? </p>
<p>and, isn’t there a state (ND??) that charges the same for instate and OOS?</p>